A NEW student-run cafe has quietly opened in central Ipswich, and while the morning rush is still finding its rhythm, the group of teenagers running the operation are already turning heads.
Bean There, tucked on the corner of Brisbane and Thorn Streets, is staffed entirely by seven Arethusa College students in Years 9 to 11.
For most, it’s their first time working in a real cafe, and for the school, it’s the latest step in a growing push to give students hands-on experience in small business through its Arethusa College Enterprise program.
Rather than a simulated classroom exercise, Bean There operates like any other cafe – early starts, real customers and the pressure of getting orders right.
Several senior students are completing a Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business, while others are studying hospitality alongside their shifts.
Trainer and assessor Michael Augustin, who has spent more than three decades in the hotel industry, said the students were learning the parts of hospitality most people don’t see.
“They’re not just learning how to make coffee,” he said. “They’re learning what happens behind the scenes – food safety, temperature control, customer service, pricing, profit margins, competitor analysis. These are skills people often don’t encounter until years into their careers.”
Students are also responsible for business planning, marketing and recipe costing, with every menu item and price chosen to teach what makes a cafe financially viable.
The school expects to sign its first paid school-based trainee early in Term 4, a milestone in the program’s pathway from work trial participant to paid leader.
The cafe may be small, but for the students behind it, each shift is a step towards something bigger, building confidence, qualifications and a sense of ownership that’s already visible to anyone stopping in for a brew.
College Head of Pathways Tony Byrnes said the cafe reflected genuine student ownership.
“Our young people have shaped everything from the name, logo and menu to the day-to-day running of the business to ensure it is a sustainable and profitable enterprise,” he said.
“There was a real sense of pride on opening day. They’ve put so much into making this cafe their own, and seeing the community get behind them was pretty special.”
For Ipswich locals grabbing their morning brew, Bean There offers more than coffee, it’s a glimpse into the future careers of a group of young people learning, earning and building confidence one cup at a time.
