Lauriston Girls' School

About

Founded in 1901, Lauriston engages, challenges and inspires girls as they are encouraged to reach their full potential.

Story

About the School:

Founded in 1901, Lauriston is a nondenominational school with outstanding academic results and a strong vision for girls’ education.

Lauriston is a “School for Life”. Our unique combination of hands-on learning experiences and rigorous, engaging learning programs provide girls with the skills, values and knowledge they need to pursue their dreams and make a positive contribution to the communities in which we live. Our School community is something I am immensely proud of, and one that extends beyond the curriculum.

We take great pride in our students, teachers and facilities.

Susan Just, Principal

Student Care and Support:

Students learn best in an environment where they feel nurtured and valued for the unique individuals they are. Our specialist programs encourage students to develop a sense of belonging, resilience and a strong impression of personal integrity and social responsibility.

Curriculum:

Students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills from a young age within a supportive atmosphere. A highly skilled team of teaching staff is committed to maximising the potential of every student and encouraging a life-long love of learning beyond each student’s days in the classroom.

Senior School: In Years 11 and 12, both VCE and IB programs are offered, allowing a choice of curriculum to suit individual student’s strengths and requirements.

Junior School: Strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy as well as specialist and enrichment programs. In Prep and Year 1, we implement the Australian Developmental Curriculum (ADC), developed by high respected academic Kathy Walker. ADC emphasises skill development and acquisition of understandings and skills through a balanced curriculum that seeks to actively engage children in investigations, play and explicit teaching.

Kindergarten: Coeducational three-and four-year-old programs based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Co-curricular:
An extensive range of co-curricular activities are offered. These include music, orchestras, bands and ensembles, over 25 sports, community service, debating and public speaking, drama, photography, horse-riding, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and student clubs that cater for many interests.

Our unique Year 9:
Year 9 comprises a residential year at our Howqua campus. Set in the magnificent Victorian high-country, near Mansfield, Howqua provides a learning environment that encourages girls to meet a variety of new physical, academic and social challenges. It is aimed at helping adolescents develop independence, initiative and, most importantly, a belief in their own abilities.

Facilities

Innovative learning environments have been created at both our Armadale and Howqua campuses.

At our Armadale campus we offer a purpose-built Year 7 and 8 Centre, state-of- the-art facilities including an Arts and Visual Communication Precinct, a newly developed Science and Technology Centre for the Junior School, a Science and Resource Centre for Senior School and an integrated Performing Arts and Music Centre.

Sporting facilities include a gym, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a hockey/softball field.

At our Howqua campus, the recently opened Arts Centre complements an impressive range of facilities including a Library and Resource centre.

Results
In 2011, Lauriston’s VCE and IB Results were outstanding. Three students achieved perfect ATAR scores of 99.95. Overall, 11% of students were in the top 1% of all students with an ATAR above 99, 31% of students achieved an ATAR above 95, 51% of students achieved an ATAR above 90 and 75% of students achieved an ATAR above 80.

Mission

At Lauriston, we see education as a journey. Our five core values are embedded in this educational journey.

1. Relationships
Assuming that all schools value learning as a socially implicit value, the Lauriston difference lies in believing (and knowing) that the best learning occurs when the teacher-learner relationship is well established.

On a larger scale, learning how to establish a broad range of tolerant relationships, irrespective of status, race, culture, is a fundamental life skill.

2. Courage
A quality essential to every aspect of the human condition. Courage to ask, courage to act independently, courage to think differently, courage to face physical and moral challenges and the courage to make decisions.

3. Creative Reflection
This is a value which is the powerhouse for any kind of problem-solving. It is generally a whole brain activity accessing the conjunction of the rational and the aesthetic.

4. Intellectual Enquiry For Understanding
Learning is an implicit value in a school. Essentially every human being can and does learn, but may not necessarily understand. To be a lifelong learner one must value 'how' and 'why' not only 'what'.

5. Engagement In Life
Progressive engagement: through projects and play with teams and games with community issues and giving with a sense of national spirit with international awareness with an ethical and moral life 'Engagement' to suggest delighted enjoyment, rather than dutiful commitment.