HoL Programs
HoL Cafe News
As the end of the year draws closer, it is time to reflect on the passing year and acknowledge moments of significance within the Hands On Learning program at Brookside College. The cafe, trade and technology sectors have had an exceptional 2019 and we would like to share it with you.
The cafe program has whisked, baked, chopped, stirred and served many wonderful dishes to our customers and continued to develop our skills in the coffee making arena. Catering opportunities within the school have seen cupcakes made for RUOK? Day sporting fun emoji faces, a lunchtime feast for World Teachers Day, a morning tea spread to celebrate babies yet to be born and teamed up with the other HoL programs to host the HoL Celebration night with loved ones and supportive staff.
Trade have successfully completed many wonderful projects around the school. New garden beds are now providing produce for the SAKG program housed by the beds the students have assembled and installed. Armchairs and footstools have been made and found new homes to occupy and a previously unloved section of the school has been transformed into a flourishing kitchen garden to help support the cafe program. The garden will only become more exciting as the fruit trees will become more established and bear fruit and the garden beds will provide more produce for the cafe to use.
The technology crew have worked furiously on creating websites, Bluetooth speakers with surrounding casing and learnt to program robots. The electronic movement is not showing any signs of slowing down and will only continue to grow as an avenue for careers in the future.
Our students have shared their highlights with us and we would like to share them with you.
- Learning to be nicer - Razan
- Meeting my best friend - Halil
- Making food - Ben
- Becoming more confident - Ruben
- Communicating better as a team – Ryan
- Working on the garden because it taught me how to work as a team and got to make more friends – Rorey
- Making my personal project because I learnt new skills and tricks – Jacob
- I enjoyed doing my personal project with Hector because I felt like we were a good team – Mostafa
The biggest highlights for us Artisan Teachers though are what we see within our students. It is the look on their faces of pride when a task that has seen to be too difficult, now mastered. The laugh from a previously shy student who now feels more comfortable within the group. The warm comradery that develops between previously awkward groupings or the arrival of exited students wanting to know if they can assist because they feel comfortable within the program and know they are welcome back. It is these moments that we cherish and continue to strive for.
Congratulations to all of our students on a wonderful year in HoL and we wish all of our students who are leaving our program every success in the future. We will certainly miss seeing our current year 9 students at Brookside but know that you will be moving forward in your educational careers with a solid foundation upon which to build. To all the students entering and continuing the HoL program, we look forward to welcoming you into our sessions in 2020.
We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and valued support of our volunteers, Hector and Bob. Your knowledge of your trade and the time you give to the program is priceless and we cannot thank you enough. Thank you to the leadership team and staff and the greater Brookside community for your support during the year. We all look forward to working with you again.
Wishing everyone a very safe a happy holiday period and see you in the New Year.