Hospitality   

Food Technology 

The junior Food Technology classes with Ms. Jeffree, will take you on a global journey from the classroom into our gardens, to explore the flavours and foods from around the world and our Community Garden. A fresh winter/spring crop is about to be planted, hopefully there will be a few days without too much rain.

Senior Food Studies students will focus on how modern Australian food culture has been shaped and influenced first by the English colonial settlers and then further by global immigration. Students will also learn about traditional indigenous Australian food flavours and food history. We will be looking at and tasting from a range of food cultures from around the globe, and look at traditional cooking techniques, flavours and influences. We encourage students to ‘think outside the box’ and add their own personal flair or perhaps try their family favourite recipe for the dish in question.

As we study these diverse regions, students will have the opportunity to participate in production activities and cook traditional food from the countries that they have been focusing on. Students will gain a range of food handling skills and diverse production techniques throughout their studies. Hands on practical skills assist students in developing their confidence in the kitchen whilst also broadening their tastes for different foods and flavours.

Teen Chef is an annual inter school cookery competition where students are given the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills in an exciting competition. Students will compete against other students enrolled in SIS schools. The competition is judged by representatives of the Australian Culinary Federation, with years of knowledge and experience. The competition is open to all students at the College from year 7-11, and Ms. Jeffries has just concluded the trials to find the most suitable culinary talents to represent St. John’s in the competition in August. Thank you to all students (and parents) who gave up their time to cook their hearts out and good luck to all!

Year 9 Café Program

All Year 9 students take part in the Café program which runs throughout the year at St. John’s. If you have taken part in the Café program and have enjoyed the experience, then undertaking year 10 Food Studies or VCE Food Studies may be a pathway that interests you. All subjects of our food technology program involve both a theory and hands on production component to complement the work that is being studied. VET Hospitality (Hospitality, Kitchen Operations and Patisserie) are also possible pathways, which can be enrolled into from Year 10. Ms. Bailey has more information for anyone interested in a VET at school pathway.

VET Hospitality 

The Graduates' Restaurant has been a tough place to access, with the building works nearly completed, however, our loyal guests have been able to enjoy a wonderful meal, service and atmosphere our VET students provide, without lock-down interruptions. Graduates’ Restaurant offers a unique opportunity for students to experience a variety of TAFE Hospitality courses in their own learning environment. The restaurant is located adjacent to the community gardens. The Graduates’ Restaurant has also been host to the Australian Culinary Federation’s ‘Victorian Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge.’

The Restaurant training environment is divided into three quite separate areas: Commercial Cookery, Patisserie and Front of House. 

The students all work together to organise and operate a 60 seat fine dining experience for external customers on a Wednesday afternoon and a Thursday evening through the school year. 

The course is open to Year 10-12 students enrolled in secondary studies at St. John’s and any other secondary school students in the wider community who are interested in Hospitality or Hospitality related skills. Upon successful completion of the training, students attain a Certificate II in their chosen field. This study can be undertaken as a VCE scored assessment, a VCE unscored assessment or part of a VCAL program.

Our program has been successfully operating because of teachers and trainers with Hospitality backgrounds for 23 years. Recently, we have had a change in our Team, and we would like to welcome Ms. Haider and Mr. Channing, taking over VET Hospitality classes from Ms. Taylor and Ms. Thomas. We wish both of our colleagues the very best in their future endeavours.

VET class numbers are small and the trainers’ knowledge and skills are extensive, resulting in students graduating from the course with a high standard of industry appropriate skills, knowledge and experience. Also due to the trainers’ dual qualifications, they are well suited to supporting school age students’ successful completion.

Graduating students have opportunity to further their studies or take up apprenticeships. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in some very high end, well known restaurants around Melbourne: The Press Club, Cumulus Inc, RACV Club, The Langham, to mention a few. Other students have utilised their skills in Real Estate, Travel and Tourism, Event Management, Retail, and the Airline industry.