It’s not very often that students of hospitality and food technology get to run their own cafe at school. But for Pakuranga College, the long-standing dream was translated into reality recently at the official launch of the school cafe.
Marking the special occasion were principals of local schools Brent Jenkin, principal Wakaaranga School and Stephanie Young, deputy principal Farm Cove Intermediate who were there to support the opening of the cafe.
Principal of Pakuranga College Michael Williams looked very pleased as it meant ticking off one more meticulously planned development, with the next one on the list being a swanky new gym.
The atmosphere at the cafe was upbeat as students Jayden Roberts and Sophie Lu strummed the guitar, welcoming guests to have a taste of freshly made coffee and tasty bites.
Savouries and sweet treats like chocolate éclairs, brownies, apple tarts and mini quiches were laid out under the expert guidance of Sheena Prankerd, HOD Hospitality, and Food Technology, who is a former chef.
Year 13 student Nichola Niemack says she wouldn’t have got the job as a qualified barista at A & J Cafe at the Half Moon Bay Marina had it not been for the training she got at college.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Truscott who also works as a barista at Vector Arena points out that the life skill that she learnt at school looks good on her CV.
“I work at Vector Arena as part of the Gateway programme but I can only do it because I learnt the skill of coffee making at our college. Now we have a once-a- week roster to make coffee at the school cafe.
“Though you get burnt quite a lot in the beginning, it’s a great feeling being able to cater to individual needs of clients who want more foam, strong coffee or coffee shots,” she says.
