Trinity Fields Head Boy Brian Beckett and Head Girl Emma Humphries take on Mayoral duties to officially open Caffi Oren with the help of Principal Ian Elliott, Mayor of Caerphilly county borough Cllr Michael Gray, Mrs Ruth Gray and Deputy Head Tracey McGuirk
Pupils at a special school in Caerphilly county borough look to have found the recipe for future success after opening their very own café.
Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre in Ystrad Mynach launched Caffi Oren last week, providing pupils aged 14-19 with the opportunities to learn life skills in a work environment. Head Boy, Brian Beckett, and Head Girl, Emma Humphries, opened the new facility on Friday 11th April in the presence of the Mayor of Caerphilly county borough Cllr Michael Gray.
As well as teaching pupils practical skills in the kitchen, pupils will also handle things ‘front of house’, serving fellow students, staff, and in time, members of the public.
The Caffi Oren venture was made possible thanks to local firm Orangebox, whose employers cycled more than 200 miles from their London showroom to the company’s factory in Hengoed as part of their sponsored ‘Big Ride to Work’– raising £18,000 in the process.
To celebrate the launch representatives from Orangebox joined pupils, parents and staff from Trinity Fields, along with Caerphilly county borough councillors, to sample the delights of the new learning café.
Ian Elliott, Principal at Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre, said: “Our new café will extend learning and accreditation opportunities for some of our older pupils, giving them real life experiences of the world of work. Working in the café will teach our students about catering, hospitality and food hygiene, and those working will be required to communicate with customers and handle money in a real life situation – providing a variety of skills they will need in adulthood.
“I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at Orangebox for their fantastic efforts in raising the money to make all of this possible. I speak on behalf of the whole school community when I say we feel very lucky to have received such a generous donation.”
Cllr Michael Gray, Mayor of Caerphilly county borough, said: “This is a very special day for everyone at Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre. The opening of the café will give these pupils a unique opportunity to learn practical skills and experience working life in a supported environment.”
Orangebox employee and Trinity Fields School Governor Gareth Banks, added: “Each year Orangebox has chosen to raise money for a major charity, but this year we thought it would be great to hop on our saddles to support our local community instead.
“We’re delighted that the hard miles on the bike have resulted in this invaluable resource for the school that will offer positive experiences for pupils.”
