Brewing Up Barista Skills

Our Year 10 Hospitality students recently took part in an exciting barista incursion led by Jaydyn from 4 Wheel Grind. Jaydyn visited the school to share his expertise and guide students through the art of making the perfect coffee.

Throughout the session, students learnt the essential skills behind great coffee, including how to correctly extract espresso, texture milk, and present a café-quality drink. After learning the techniques, students had the chance to put their new knowledge into practice by making coffees for teachers around the school.

This hands-on experience is just the beginning of their barista journey. Students will continue developing their skills through on-the-job training while running the school café, Ursulattes. The café has become a popular spot where teachers gather for coffee, conversation, and a little music during our “Rhythm and Brews” sessions.

Jesselyn Whitfield
Technology/Hospitality Teacher

Two Year 10 students share their reflections on the day and what they learned from this valuable experience.

I really enjoyed the Barista training course because it gave me the chance to practise making different coffees and learn how to steam and pour milk properly. I made a cappuccino with Jaydyn for practice, and I also made a piccolo for Ms Rasmussen, which helped me understand the difference between foamier milk and smoother, silkier milk. The part I enjoyed the most was pouring the milk into the coffee. It was really satisfying to watch it blend with the espresso and create a neat, professional-looking finish. The training made me feel more confident using the machine and proud of the drinks I made.

Phoebe Yeung
Year 10

I really enjoyed my experience in the Barista training course because it gave me the chance to learn how to use the espresso machine properly and make a range of different coffees. I practised making espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites and mochas, and I learned how important it is to get the grind, tamping and milk‑steaming techniques right for each drink. My favourite part of the course was making mochas because I loved mixing the chocolate with the espresso and creating a smooth, rich flavour. Overall, the course helped me build confidence and made me enjoy the process of making coffee even more.

Isabella Natoli
Year 10