History:
St Anthony’s Primary School is an important part of the Parish of Corio–Lara. It serves the northern end of the parish, and is the second school of the Parish. It was opened in 1983, on the site of the original St Anthony’s Church in Flinders Avenue, and is named after St Anthony of Padua. During 1983, the school moved to its current site in Kees Rd when the first stage of the school building was built. The second stage of the school building was completed in 1987. The new St Anthony’s Church was built in 1993, with facilities for a parish liturgy and a multipurpose area, which is used by the school and other parish groups.
In 2003, the school celebrated 20 years of service to the community of Lara. The celebration was an acknowledgement of what has been achieved in the school, and an affirmation of the school’s ongoing vision.
Description:
St Anthony’s is a Catholic primary school, catering for students from Prep to Year 6. The school and St Anthony’s Church are situated on a semi-rural block of six hectares (15 acres) in the town of Lara. The grounds afford good playing facilities within an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Lara is a growing township situated approximately 15 kilometres north of Geelong. The town of Lara is a popular residential area for people working in either Melbourne or Geelong. Lara is within close proximity to Avalon Airport, the You Yangs State Park and Brisbane Ranges National Park. Lara is a pleasant 15-minute drive to Geelong and an easy 40-minute drive to Melbourne’s CBD.
Features:
St Anthony’s offers students the opportunity to learn and grow within a welcoming, supportive and nurturing community.
Faith Community
The religious dimension of the school builds upon its Catholic traditions and promotes Christian values within the school community. All students participate in the school’s Religious Education program and in class and school liturgies. The connection with the parish is important and valued within the school community. As a parish community we celebrate the sacraments of Penance (Year 3), first Eucharist (Year 4) and Confirmation (Year 6).
Community
St Anthony’s is a family-oriented school community. Parents are an integral part of the school’s activities, and parent involvement is welcomed and encouraged. The school has a proud history of close collaboration between all members of the school community, and many significant advances and improvements have occurred through working together.
Through fostering these links, the school is able to provide a comfortable and secure family-oriented school environment for students.
The Curriculum
The English program at St Anthony’s is a significant feature of the curriculum. St Anthony’s has won a National Literacy and Numeracy Week Award for Literacy for three consecutive years (2003, 2004, 2005). The school constantly strives to develop, maintain and extend high standards and to support students who need extra assistance.
Mathematics learning and teaching is enhanced through the school’s participation in the SINE (Success in Numeracy Education) program.
Other significant features include:
• Comprehensive curriculum in all areas of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS)
• Religious Education and a sacramental program
• Special needs intervention programs for students who require additional support
• An information technology room and computers in all classrooms
• Learning technologies integrated into the curriculum
• A student wellbeing policy and program and a discipline plan
• Social skills programs and activities including personal development education, communication and conflict resolution skills, grief support, drug education and resilience training
• Buddy program for Preps with Year 6 students
• Rotational programs including music, art, drama
• Water familiarisation and safety program (P–4)
• Interschool sports (5 & 6)
• Bike education (4 & 5)
• Physical education, fitness sessions and Perceptual Motor Program
• Sports clinics (as available)
• Excursion program (P–6)
• Camp program (Year 6)
• Italian language program (P–6)
• Library program and book borrowing (P–6)