CHANGES are being made to the menu of the Ulumbarra Theatre to suit the budgets of students at Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
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The Ulumbarra cafeteria services both the theatre and BSSC students.
Students and parents complained to the Bendigo Advertiser that prices charged at the cafeteria on Monday were extortionately high and out of reach for students.
BSSC principal Dale Pearce said the issue was a "teething problem" and was to be expected so soon after the theatre's opening.
“The caterers are servicing both the needs of the college and its students and the theatre and its patrons," he said.
"Getting the balance right in terms of menu and price and general operations was always expected to take some time. It is important for students and visitors to have access to a range of food that is healthy and affordable."
Lakkis Catering won the tender process to supply food at the cafeteria. The company holds separate contracts, meaning there was scope to charge students and theatre patrons different prices, Mr Pearce said.
"Lakkis Catering are very experienced and well regarded operators. This is their first school service and they are committed to providing a quality service at a reasonable price," he said.
"As part of the open tendering process the Lakkis family provided sample menus and prices and we are working with them now to confirm these. The rush for the opening of Ulumbarra and to make sure we had a café service available at the earliest opportunity meant that it was difficult to finalise all these matters."
Mr Pearce said the school was working to address concerns over pricing.
"Changes have been made [on Tuesday] to prices and menu and we expect further adjustments to occur as we strike the right balance in the interest of students," he said.
"We acknowledge that some students have expressed concerns about prices and these concerns are being worked through in collaboration with the college and Lakkis Catering."