The changing of the guard has begun at Carnley’s Cuppas!
While many parents and staff know our school coffee van as the place to grab a great coffee, what they may not realise is that it is also one of the most successful student led Service Learning programs at PCACS.
Each year, Year 9 students have the opportunity to apply to join the Carnley’s Cuppas team. Successful applicants become part of a select group of student baristas who learn far more than simply how to make coffee. They develop valuable communication, teamwork, leadership, organisation and customer service skills, along with the confidence that comes from taking on real responsibility.
This week marked an exciting milestone, with 12 enthusiastic Year 9 students completing their official barista training with an experienced coffee industry trainer from Five Senses Coffee. Over four hours, students explored the journey of coffee production, extraction techniques, milk texturing and the skills required to create café quality drinks.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of the day was watching many students taste a coffee shot for the very first time! Reactions ranged from outright disgust to unexpected bursts of energy, providing plenty of laughs along the way.
The training also signals an important transition for the coffee van team. With our Year 12 baristas having graduated and Year 11 students preparing to finish for the year following examinations, the newest recruits will soon begin stepping into more significant roles. By the end of the term, many of these Year 9 students will be helping to operate the coffee van with increasing independence.
Fortunately, they are joining a team built on a strong culture of mentorship. Our senior students generously share their knowledge, experience and skills with newer members, ensuring high standards are maintained and confidence continues to grow. This passing on of knowledge is an important part of what makes Carnley’s Cuppas so special.
Of course, Carnley’s Cuppas is about much more than coffee.
Behind every morning delivery is a dedicated team of student volunteers who help keep the operation running smoothly. Our lid writers, primarily from Years 7 and 8, carefully prepare and label dozens of coffee orders for the following day's service. Meanwhile, our delivery team ensures that freshly made drinks reach staff members across the school campus each morning.
For many students, these roles provide their first introduction to service within the coffee van and often become a pathway to future barista training. Every role matters, and each student contributes to the success of the program.
We would also like to acknowledge our graduating Year 12 baristas. Their years of dedication, early starts and commitment to serving our school community have helped shape Carnley’s Cuppas into the successful program it is today. We sincerely thank them for their contribution and wish them every success in their next chapter.
As the staff member affectionately known by our Junior School students as the ‘Coffee Teacher’ and by the baristas as ‘Head Chef’, there is nothing more rewarding than working alongside these remarkable young people each morning. Watching students grow in confidence, take ownership of their responsibilities and develop genuine pride in serving others is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the role.
Congratulations to our newly trained baristas, our dedicated lid writers and our hardworking delivery team. We look forward to seeing the next generation of Carnley’s Cuppas continue this wonderful tradition of service, leadership and community spirit.
Mrs Melanie Hunt
Service Learning Coordinator and Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator