Cafes

Osmond Street Cafe is the coffee house run completely by Pulteney Grammar students

By Lisa Keller

Posted on September 24, 2022

The Year 10 students of the city school are running every aspect of the cafe as part of the school’s initiative to broaden learning horizons.

Coffee is something we as adults take pretty seriously. It’s the reason a lot of us get out of bed in the morning and the driving factor of our productivity throughout the day. So, how would you feel entrusting your daily cuppa Joe to a group of 16 year olds?

Earlier this year, Pulteney Grammar School opened its very own cafe, run entirely by its Year 10 students. Everything from budgeting and market comparison to rostering and menu design are in the capable hands of the students as a way to incorporate ‘real world learning’ and to grow students’ transversal skills and critical and creative thinking.

But don’t think you’re getting an average coffee. Guided and trained by Dave and Antonio from Hallifax Street cafe, DayJob, you can be confident that your order will be made by a confident barista, albeit, a young one.

Local small-batch coffee roasters, Kindred Coffee, are supplying the beans – a business partnership that was initiated and upheld by the students. This relationship also fits in with the eco-friendly ethos established by the students for the cafe as is provides them with sustainable packaging that is completely home compostable.

Connected to the Senior School building just off Gilles Street, the cafe has been operating since April and changes hands each semester as part of the school’s Creative Industries class. “It gets really busy and we have regular customers and friendly supportive teachers,” says one Pulteney student. “We work in organised teams and it’s a really great learning opportunity.”

The completely student-led facility proves learning doesn’t only have to be done in the classroom and ensures all those that take part are equipped with tangible skills preparing them for life after school in an ever-changing world.

Now in its 175th year, Pulteney Grammar is striving to regrow its healthy community after a tough few years of online and hybrid learning and welcomes parents, friends and passers-by to stop past for their morning coffee and a choice of tasty pastries and toasties to help support the unique educational offering.