A-Z Information
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
For more information about Latham Primary School please refer to A-Z at Latham
Language Education
The students at Latham have weekly lessons in Japanese. Japanese is a logical choice for students to learn as Australia and Japan have many political and economic connections. Japan is also situated north of Australia which puts it in a similar time zone. This allows opportunities for our students to communicate with students in Japan. Lessons begin in Preschool where songs are the predominant means of interacting with the language. Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 have one weekly lesson which goes for 45 minutes. In these lessons the students complete a range of activities that introduce the students to the language. These activities include songs, scaffolded spoken activities and an introduction to the culture through art. In Years 3 to 6 the students begin to explore the grammatical features of the language and increase their ability to use sentences to express their understanding. This is also the time when hiragana, one of the scripts used in Japan, is introduced.
Learning Assistance
Latham Primary School uses the Response to Intervention (RTI) model when supporting and monitoring individual student needs.
The RTI model involves the systematic monitoring of all students where schools are demonstrating evidence-based practice. Increasingly intensive intervention processes are introduced in response to frequent assessments to cater for individual learning needs. Students who continue to struggle academically despite this evidenced-based classroom environment and systematic intensive instruction, are likely to require ongoing support.
At Latham Primary School a Learning Support Assistant is employed to support individual learning needs. Their role also includes, but is not limited to;
•coordinating the ‘Brightsparks’ program (this involves one to one assistance with a volunteer for students who need a ‘boost’ to their reading.)
•working with individual and small groups of students
•supporting teachers
•liaising with families.
There is a Student Support Team, headed by the Deputy Principal, which meets fortnightly to discuss individual students and their particular needs. Other members of this team are;
•School Psychologist
•Learning Assistance teacher
•Executive team members
•Teachers as required.
Learning Enrichment
Latham’s PEAK Program which stands for Providing Enrichment And Knowledge provides a diverse range of learning experiences that support and extend students’ learning.
Activities in the PEAK Program include Brightsparks, Meccano, Public Speaking, History, Learning Assistance, EALD, Indigenous studies, Reading Challenges, chess and other enrichment and extension activities, practical Science, Creative Writing, Writing Competitions as well as literacy and numeracy groups with support from parent and community volunteers.
Learning Support Units
We have two units for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Enrolment in these units requires liaison with the Education Directorate. Students enrolled in the Learning Support Units (LSUAs) spend time in their units as well as being integrated with mainstream classes and in the playground.
Library
The automated library is organised so that students develop study and research skills and acquire an appreciation of literature through positive attitudes to reading. Formal library lessons in the use of the library are scheduled regularly and the library is open for general use throughout the day including lunch time.
The library has a collection of books suitable for both parents and teachers. Parents are also welcome to borrow from the well resourced children’s or parents’ collection.
Lockdown
Lockout is a procedure that prevents unauthorised persons from entering the school and is commonly used when the threat is general or the incident is occurring off the school property. This procedure allows school activities to continue as normal during the outside disruption.
Lockdown is used when there is an immediate threat to the school e.g. school intruders. Lockdown minimises access to the school and secures staff and students in rooms. As part of this procedure, everyone must remain in the room until the situation has been declared safe by an authorised person e.g. principal or police officer.
Lost Property
Your child’s name should be marked clearly on all personal belongings, particularly clothing. Unclaimed belongings are kept in the lost property boxes throughout the school. Lost property may be checked at any time. Each week the Student Leadership Team collects lost property, returns named items and washes unnamed items for resale as second uniforms.