Hallam Senior College hospitality students catered for 80 people in an in-house trades gala event as other students took guests on a tour of the school’s trade facilities.
Entree was served in the hair and beauty salon, while desert was eaten on a walking tour with the building and furniture making students who showcased a granny flat, which is currently in construction.
Assistant principal Bernadette Bowling said after the trades expo, on Thursday 16 June, that students’ confidence soared.
“The students seem to grow about two feet higher, they were really engaged and very tired at end of it but they just beamed,” Ms Bowling said.
“They presented to our guests and pretty much took over the show which was the intention.
“It was a really fun night and a chance for us to highlight to our community the work that we are doing with our young people and how we are preparing them for work in traditional trades.”
The inaugural event included guests from Monash University, local businesses, school council, parents and neighbouring schools and Ms Bowling said the expo was a great opportunity for students to exercise some of the real-life skills they have learnt at school.
“There were about 15 students in the kitchen under the guidance of Wolfgang Kessler and students waited on the sit down dinner as well,” she said.
The dinner was introduced by former students, Karly Tapner, an awarded plumbing apprentice, and Matt Litten, a fully qualified mechanic, who spoke about the rewards of their jobs.
Scott Kirkby, leader of the traditional trades sub school, said the school is already looking forward to next year’s trades gala sit down dinner.
