From garden to café: students growing skills in Caroline Springs
Photo: Sonia Martinovic, Artisan Teacher, with colleague Sarah Jarman, Brookside College at the Hands On Learning Cafe
Through the Hands On Learning (HOL) program at Brookside College, young people are growing vegetables, running a café, and building real-world skills that prepare them for life after school.
“It’s promoting teamwork and support and confidence for the students that are in the program,” says Sonia Martinovic, Artisan Teacher at Brookside College.
A “school garden to plate” experience
The program brings together café, trade and landscaping streams, with students growing produce in the school garden and using it in the café.
For some students, it’s the first time they’ve connected learning with outcomes like these.
“It’s opening their eyes to a different avenue of education,” Sonia explains.
“A lot of the students love to get their hands into the dirt… some don’t have gardens at home.”
Students can even taste the difference.
“Homegrown tastes so much better than mass produced.”
Hands On Learning produce is grown in the grounds of Brookside College in Caroline Springs
Building Skills for Life
Sonia also brings practical experience in retail management to the program, teaching students everything from customer service to budgeting.
“We’re training our kids to work on commercial grade coffee machines… and managing costs,” she says.
“Seeing the kids grow in their confidence is just the best.”
A recent Modeina Community Fund grant of $1,500 helped expand the school’s garden, funding irrigation, plants, compost and essential upgrades.
“It’s all being spread over the program in different capacities,” Sonia says.
By supporting local schools and initiatives, the Modeina Community Fund is helping build a stronger, more connected community in Burnside and across Melbourne’s west.
Hands On Learning Kitchen, Brookside College Caroline Springs