Over a selection of finger food and hot beverages, the Monaro High School community has thanked those who have contributed to the continued success of the school’s AIM Cafe.

Students from the special education unit, their parents and other family members, school staff and business owners gathered at a “Rise and Recognise” school community morning tea on 16 June which highlighted the generous donations by Debbie and Mick Johnson of Monaro Milk.

AIM Cafe runs every Tuesday during first break. The students take orders and deliver a delicious morning tea which consists of cakes/slices, toasted sandwiches and coffee to appreciative staff and senior school leaders.

“The building which now contains the cafe is a glorious place to be, especially if the sun is out on a cold winter’s day, and it’s a wonderful facility for our students, your children,” principal, James Armitage, said.

“Today is about celebrating something that’s been at MHS for a long time and we have some people attending who were involved from the early days of the cafe.

“The cafe was originally called D cafe, as it was situated in D block, when I arrived here as the deputy. It was a really high functioning service and it was at that stage when the coffee machine was purchased and things started to grow from strength to strength, particularly with the staff,” Mr Armitage recalled.

“It was a really lovely, inviting space and many of the staff would relax at the D cafe, and the kids would serve them morning tea. A small number of regular staff would attend, then it grew and when this place was built it was a priority for Leanne [Wiggins, special ed teacher] to make sure the coffee machine was moved to the new building.

“It took a long time to convince the Department of Education that we needed a coffee machine in this space, so a lot of work went on to get the machine in place and to get it functioning.”

Mr Armitage said now, on average, 30 staff are served coffee and food on a Tuesday.

The students work all year in AIM Café serving staff members morning tea once a week with the small profits paying for student excursions or put towards resources.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students in this area of the school to engage with the rest of the school and the staff. They love it and look forward to it every week,” he said, “it’s a really positive engagement with many of these students who from time to time find school a bit difficult.”

Mr Armitage congratulated and thanked all those who have been involved and had a part to play in the cafe’s long history.

Support from local business, Monaro Milk, is greatly appreciated with the company now in its fourth year of donating milk to the cafe.

“Our staff at Monaro Milk really enjoy having the kids come into work once a year, it’s a blessing,” Monaro Milk’s, Michael Johnson, said.

Mention was also made of Woolworths which regularly donates food for the cafe when it is not home-baked by school staff.

“And our now deputy principal, Nathan, has been providing the coffee free-of-charge for quite a while, although he gets a bit of a kick-back as they will make a coffee for him whenever he’s in need,” Mr Armitage said.

“All of that, as a whole, allows quite a bit of money to be raised and put back into resources for your children in this area,” he added.

Additionally, student, Kobe Taylor, was praised for his contribution and assistance on a Tuesday in the cafe.

“Kobe’s engagement here is amazing to watch,” Mr Armitage said, “it’s been wonderful to see that smile on his face on a Tuesday.”