Hot Shots Coffee (Suneden Specialist School, Australia, 2022) is a warm, human glimpse into the experiences of young people with cognitive processing and intellectual disability as they navigate learning and work-related skills. The film highlights themes of teamwork, school-based training and the challenges and triumphs around employment in a café context. Shot with care and respect, it offers viewers an honest look at ability, agency and everyday routines without turning anything into spectacle. Presented as part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, Hot Shots Coffee invites audiences to notice practical skills, friendships and the potential that comes from supported learning.
Tucked away along a side street in Adelaide is Sun Eden Specialist School. It may appear like an ordinary school from the outside, but on the inside is a wonderful student-led coffee shop. Oh hi, welcome to Hot Shots Coffee. This incredible group of students are part of a program called Transition to Work. The goal of which is to give young adults the necessary skills to enter the workforce. This year they have begun a new initiative that provides coffee for the parent community and staff of the school. So how did this fantastic business begin? Well Hot Shots began with us approaching the principals and asking them if it would be a viable proposition for us to buy a coffee machine. The idea behind it being that we would be able to sell coffee to the staff at school and begin a business of our own. We shared our branding, how we would price our coffees, and our logo. And how did the principals respond? We were absolutely thrilled. They had prepared everything we needed to hear, so we approved a $5,000 loan for them to do their barista course and purchase a coffee machine. $5,000, that's a lot of lattes. With Hot Shots securing a loan and completing their barista course, the students will now have to step out of their comfort zones and apply for their job roles. As well as learning to be baristas, there were several other roles within that business that we needed to talk about. There were accountants, and greeters, and cleaners, and stockists. And so each student decided what they wanted their secondary job to be, what skills they had that they felt they met to get that role, and they applied for that job in written form. Then we interviewed them on the basis of those application forms. Were you nervous? No, I was excited. I would say I felt good. How'd the interview go? I think I got the job. And what role did you apply for, William? I applied to be an accountant because I love adding up money. 20, thank you. And I've been very good at giving people the correct change and keeping our accountants up to date. Thanks guys. No worries. Have a good day. We will. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for supporting us. Yep, I love work. I love working with money. A lot of fun. With each student finding their unique place in the business, Hotshot's next challenge was how to hook the staff into choosing their coffee over the competition. When we were talking to the students initially about how to run a good business, to get repeat customers, our product had to be good. It had to be better than coffees that they might get at a coffee shop. We really wanted staff to get a nice cup of coffee so they would come back. But barista quality coffee isn't all that keeps the staff returning. Hotshot's biggest drawcard is the students themselves. They have great service. Hot chocolate is ready. And buckets of personality. You're definitely not going to be looking at your driver's licence card. These young adults are the heart and soul of the business. This has been amazing for the school, firstly to see the relationships develop between the staff and the transition to work students. Cappuccino, whole cream milk and one sugar. Yeah, how good is that? It's helped bring the families and the parents back into the school and build that sense of community again. And there's nothing better than a great coffee in a chat. So what's next for Hotshot's and the students that run it? The possibilities are endless for Hotshot's Coffee in our transition to work students. I would be really, really chuffed to think that we've found a profession or a career for one or two of our students. With the limits unknown for Hotshot's Coffee. One thing's for certain. That the skills and friendships these students have gained along the way will have changed their lives forever. They are, they're nice things to say. Just don't, don't get today. Woo! Yeah! Thanks. Good job Joe. Thank you. That was so good.
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Hot Shots Coffee
by Suneden Specialist School - SCHOOL DOCUMENTARIES
