Lancefield Primary School, established in 1858, is situated in the semi-rural township of Lancefield one hour north of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges. Residential areas are developed alongside a rural farming existence. At the beginning of 2024 our student enrolment is approximately 192 students. Supportive and engaged parents, families and community groups contribute to the wellbeing of our school by assisting with classroom programs, whole school activities and especially our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. 

SWPBS and Wellbeing

We are a School Wide Positive Behaviour (SWPBS) School with a strong focus on good mental health and social-emotional wellbeing for all. The implementation and explicit teaching of the Kimochis, Berry Street Education Model and Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships programs provides our students, staff and families with strong social/emotional wellbeing and mental health support and strategies. 

Inclusion and Mental Health

We are an inclusive school and make reasonable adjustments to ensure all students are supported in reaching their full potential. We are implementing the new Disability Inclusion (DIP) program and the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative with a dedicated full time MHiPS and DIP leader.

Opportunities

Building student leadership capabilities, skills and creating opportunities is encouraged and promoted through our Year 6 Student Team and years 3 to 6 peer selected student council team. All students are supported with their learning through our digital technologies and ICT program with years 3-6 participating in the bring your own Chromebook program.

Department of Education Guidelines

The Department of Education High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), High Impact Wellbeing Strategies (HIWS) and Practice Principles provide direction for our teaching practice with a strong focus on improving numeracy and literacy outcomes. Our teachers work collaboratively to plan and implement programs such as the evidence based synthetic phonics program Jolly Phonics and Grammar across all year levels.

Targeted Learning Initiative

We are pleased that our Targeted Learning Initiative (Tutor Learning Initiative) is continuing with DET funding into 2024. We have renamed this program at LPS to Targeted Learning Initiative to provide our school community with a clearer picture of what this program provides. We have a dedicated teacher who implements this program. After analysing a range of student data and conversations with teachers and leadership, our TIL teacher provides students with support in classroom settings to either provide extension and challenges or further opportunities to practice important building block skills in both literacy and numeracy. The TIL teacher works and plans with class teachers and also provides coaching sessions for teachers when working with a particular class and cohort of students. Parents and carers are informed of when or if their child/ren will be participating in this program. This is NOT a one on one tutoring program, nor is it conducted in out of school hours. The TIL teacher generally works within the classroom with students and teachers or may take small groups when deemed appropriate out of the classroom.

Specialists, Library & Auslan

Our specialist classes are Visual Arts, STEM and Health and Physical Education. Auslan lessons are taught by classroom teachers with Auslan skills being woven into everyday interactions at school. Our exciting library collection is well loved by students who can access information about our collection through the online Oliver system at home or at school. There is a direct link to Oliver on our website. Students can provide book reviews and suggest books to be purchased. Many families make donations to our library through our LPS Library Fund. We have a growing collection of indigenous stories and non fiction material.

Extra-curricular

In 2024, extra-curricular activities include excursions, incursions, camps and participation in district sporting events such as athletics carnival, summer and winter sports carnival and the district cross country held at Hanging Rock Reserve. We are proudly part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) Program which provides a range of academic, social/emotional benefits to all of our students. All classes participate in cooking and gardening sessions throughout the year. Our Wil-e-mee Moor-ing centre incorporates a four station SAKG kitchen area, library and open learning area. Our vegetable garden beds are tended to by students and staff participating in the SAKG program. 

Our classrooms and learning spaces

Our classrooms are all situated in the one building with a calm, welcoming and inclusive class atrium area for small group activities, for individual students to work quietly read and share our library resources.

Our class structure for 2024 is:

Prep x 2 classes

Year 1/2 x 3 classes

Year 3/4 x 2 classes

Year 5/6 x 2 classes

We have a dedicated Visual Arts room and multi purpose hall used for Physical Education sessions, whole school events and school assemblies. This space is also utilised by Schools Out – Before and After School Care program

Outdoor spaces

At LPS we have beautiful grounds with a variety of play areas to suit the needs of all students. Students can participate in team games and activities, climb on equipment, sit with a group of friends or play imaginative games creating a world of their own to share with friends. Our grounds provide spaces for all of these inclusive activities to cater for different genders, interests and abilities.