During a recent visit to our Arc School Old Arley, we had the pleasure of meeting a talented student at the school, Leon Mitcham. Despite only being in Year 7, Leon is already setting his sights on a future full of possibilities. He dreams of opening his own cafe or pop-up food truck one day, and has even come up with a possible name, "Mitcham's Munchies."

Leon's journey began just a year ago when he joined Arc School Old Arley. He began helping out in the school dining room, setting the tables, sorting drinks for everyone and being on hand to help the school chef wherever possible.

He has meticulously thought out the entire business model for his potential café or food truck, considering the essential aspects such as running costs and branding.

One area where Leon's creativity truly shines is in menu planning. He spoke to us in detail about some items which might appear on his menu and spoke about some fun and inventive combinations of flavours such as a chocolate surprise burger!

Arc School Old Arley have embraced Leon's aspirations. The school has incorporated elements of his project into his day-to-day learning. For example, Leon explores mathematical concepts while budgeting for his cafe, and his menu planning exercises help enhance his writing skills. By weaving these elements into project work, the school provides Leon with a holistic learning experience tailored to his interests.

The school chef Anne fully recognises Leon's talent and dedication in the kitchen. Describing him as a "kitchen angel" and saying “I’d be lost without Leon.”

Keep up the great work, Leon.