Student-run cafe opens in Woodville North
Ngutu College has launched a student-run social enterprise, offering young people hands-on experience in customer service and food preparation with a focus on Indigenous ingredients.
Ngani Cafe (pronounced naa-ni, meaning ‘gathering place’ in Kaurna), is located on the grounds of the Woodville North college off of Torrens Road and provides students with a leg-up into the real world by teaching them to work in hospitality and offering paid employment as part of their school day.
The college hopes initiatives like this can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and unemployment and set young people up for early personal financial security and independence.
Year nine student Charlie says being a part of the cafe project is incredibly rewarding.
“I’ve learnt how to make coffees; I’ve learned how to wash dishes properly. I’ve learnt how to prepare, make and store food and drinks, I’ve learned how to talk to customers in a kind way,” Charlie says.
“I’ve also learned how to upsell — I’m really good at upselling.”
Charlie hopes once the cafe officially opens in March, the public will embrace the new addition to the school and broader community.
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He encourages patrons to get to know the young staff serving up their morning coffee.
“It’s a good atmosphere… it smells nice, it looks nice, the food is tasty. The coffee is good even though they’re made by children, and it’s just a good environment to be around.
“If you see the person doing front of house or taking your order or the barista, and it’s not busy, just have a chat with them, because everybody here just wants to have a chat and get to know people.”
The Ngani Cafe offering includes finger lime and lemon myrtle biscuits, and wattleseed scones with caramelised onion, camembert cheese and chives.
Year 11 student and keen gardener Colleen is part of the produce and kitchen team at the cafe.
The menu features seasonal, healthy and Indigenous ingredients, many of which are grown on the grounds of the college by students like Colleen.
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“We grow a lot of herbs like basil, parsley, coriander and stuff like that. We also grow tomatoes and zucchinis and squashes that are used in the cafe,” Colleen says.
“We’ve used Indigenous dukkah before, and we use wattle seed, and we’ve also used lemon myrtle and Kakadu plum, stuff like that.”
By prioritising this “seed to plate” approach, the school hopes that students gain valuable insight into food sustainability and nutrition, creating a deeper connection to culture and healthy living.
Colleen sees the cafe as an important starting point for her career.
“Even before I started working at the cafe, I was interested in a future in cooking, so I think it’s a really helpful place for me to start my learnings,” she says.
Head of College Andrew, Shannon, Colleen and Elder-in-Residence Uncle Moogy at the Ngani Cafe opening.
Ngutu College opened in 2021 as a not-for-profit independent college that aimed to reimagine traditional education that was leaving Aboriginal students behind by helping young learners discover and pursue their unique interests.
The school embeds aspects of Aboriginal cultures and creative arts in all learning areas with 48 per cent of its students being Indigenous, and the college is hoping this will increase to at least 50 per cent in the coming years.
The cafe will be accompanied by the Ngani shop, which will showcase student-made products including paintings, weavings and tea blends. The shop, which is expected to open in mid-2025, provides another opportunity for students to pave their own pathways into entrepreneurship.
The cafe had its official opening, attended by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and members of the school and local community last week.
Ngani Cafe will open to the public on Monday 3rd March, with opening hours from 8am ’til 3pm on Monday to Friday and closing at 12pm on Wednesdays.