St Joseph’s College, Echuca’s Hands on Learning Cafe took out a national award at the Hands on Learning Conference in Melbourne.
Beating out 130 other schools involved in the program, the school won the Sowinski Community Projects Award for their work running the cafe.
One of the students involved, Holly Trevena, was proud of the crew for receiving the recognition.
“Against 130 schools and this award was for us because we did such a great job in the community and helping,” she said.
“Our staff enjoy our company and food we make.”
The Hands on Learning cafe caters for local events and organisations, prepares community care meals and provides food for staff from their on-campus space.
The program is a Save the Children and 54reasons initiative with a focus on wellbeing and attendance through involvement in hands-on projects, like the cafe.
Principal Anne Marie Cairns is grateful for the award honour, and credited the hard work of teacher Vanessa Mahoney.
“This award is very deserving recognition of the amazing work our Hands on Learning team puts into their cafe and the many varied projects and people they cater for,” she said.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have the skill, expertise and knowledge of Ms Mahoney leading our HoL Cafe.
“Not only does she bring extensive industry experience to the role, but she is an incredibly warm, genuine and inclusive teacher who is dearly loved and respected by our students.”
Ms Mahoney is an alumna of St Joseph's College, her career spanning the hospitality sector, training as a chef at Melbourne restaurants Marchetti's Latin and Mecca.
She later specialised in dessert cheffing, where she worked with Natalie Paull of Beatrix Bakes and at Echuca’s Oscar Ws.
Ms Mahoney taught TAFE hospitality before joining St Joseph's College in 2018, where she enjoys her role in the HoL team along with school support manager Steve Schneider.
“I have loved being part of the HoL team over the past five years - getting to know the very special cohort of students, and working with them to explore their unique talents and develop many important hands-on life skills,” she said.
“I also love being a part of the dynamic community of wonderful staff and students here at St Joes who all really look after each other.
“Steve has been pivotal in our success, regularly visiting our school, immersing himself in our programs and providing us with training, support and structural feedback.”