La Trobe Campus Primary School

Charles La Trobe Primary School, located on Wairoa Rd, Macleod West, prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Our core values of Respect, Excellence, Acceptance, and Leadership are celebrated in every aspect of school life. Our students come from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, including international students.

Our goal is to help every child reach their full potential by understanding their unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles. By nurturing individual talents and encouraging personal growth, we help every child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our Primary School’s vision is demonstrated through understanding the learner at each stage of their journey:

Early Years Primary (Prep to 2) ‘Nurturing Curious Minds’ Fostering curiosity and providing a nurturing environment for the youngest students one step at a time, as they begin their educational journey. Middle Primary (Years 3 to 4) ‘Learning and Growing Together’ Achieved through collaborative and targeted explicit/direct instruction to deepen the learning and actively engage students in their educational and social development. Senior Primary (Years 5 to 6) ‘Empowering Tomorrow ‘s Leaders Today’ Students transition to more advanced learning through agency and through the development of their leadership skills, to prepare them for the next stage of their education. ‘Nurturing Curious Minds’
Early Years Primary (Prep to 2)
Fostering curiosity and providing a nurturing environment for the youngest students one step at a time, as they begin their educational journey.

‘Learning and Growing Together’
Middle Primary (Years 3 to 4)
Achieved through collaborative and targeted explicit/direct instruction to deepen the learning and actively engage students in their educational and social development.

‘Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today’
Senior Primary (Years 5 to 6)Students transition to more advanced learning through agency and through the development of their leadership skills, to prepare them for the next stage of their education.

Teaching and Learning

Our teaching team is dedicated to evidence-based strategies using data to inform practice and targeted interventions. We implement Explicit Direct Instruction across all subjects.

In 2024, we transitioned from Inquiry-based learning to a deeper exploration approach, in Sciences and Humanities. Our practices are research informed through our partnership with the SOLAR lab at La Trobe University, focusing on systematic phonics instruction, oral and written lan

guage development, and optimising learning efficiency.

Since 2023, we have engaged in school-wide professional development on Writing, guided by ‘The Writing by Judith C. Hochman and Natalie Wexler, and Writing Across the Curriculum (WATC), informing our instructional practices across all subjects. Additionally, our P-2 teachers are involved in a two-year study with AERO and the SOLAR lab to further enhance existing practices.

Since 2022, a comprehensive review of our Mathematics instructional model was undertaken to align with best practices, incorporating principles from cognitive load theory, working memory, and strategies such as spaced, interleaved, and retrieval practice. Our lessons now follow an explicit instructional sequence with a Daily Review and emphasise concrete, pictorial, and abstract development of knowledge, ensuring equitable access to manipulatives for all students.

The Victorian Minister for Education and Deputy Premier, the Hon. Ben Carroll, has mandated that from 2025, all Prep – 2 students in Victorian Government Primary Schools will be taught using systematic synthetic phonics as part of a new explicit teaching model. Our Primary School has been using this approach since 2021, demonstrating our commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and employing evidence-based practices to maximise student outcomes. Since 2021, our Primary School teachers have engaged in extensive professional development in the Science of Reading and Learning. We have partnered with Prof. Pamela Snow and Assoc. Prof. Tanya Serry of the La Trobe University SOLAR Lab to reinforce our dedication to evidence-based teaching practices, particularly in Reading and Writing. We are proud to be ahead of the trend and welcome the Minister’s announcement. Our dedicated Early Years Team (Prep – 2) is building the foundational skills necessary for our students to succeed as they progress through primary school and beyond.

Wellbeing

At our Primary School, we emphasise student wellbeing and cultivate a safe and nurturing environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Our approach is grounded in the Developmental Management Approach to Behaviour Support and The Berry Street Education Model, integrating the Zones of Regulation. We celebrate diversity in gender, culture, language, and faith, fostering acceptance and unity within our cohesive school community. Our R.E.A.L values (Respect, Excellence, Acceptance, Leadership) reflect our commitment to ensuring safety and promoting learning for all community members.

 

Specialist Programs & Extracurricular Activities

The students engage in the following programs.

Facilities

The contemporary design of our building promotes collaboration and a flexible approach to learning.  We offer state-of-the-art facilities including modern classrooms, open learning spaces, studios, breakout areas, multi-purpose room and specialist learning spaces, including the statewide STEM Centre Quantum Victoria. Students across P-6 manage the Kitchen Garden, with identifiable areas in the playground. Additionally, we have a library, canteen, a 100 seat Theatre, a STEM interactive Garden, Quantum Science Gallery, two synthetic playgrounds including an athletic track, basketball court, soccer pitch and GANBU DJILA MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS FIELD in Partnership with Latrobe University.

 

Community Partnerships

Our co-branding with La Trobe University gives us access to programs like the SOLAR Lab, Pre-Service Teachers, allied health professionals, academics, and facilities. The AERO study enhances teacher capacity through targeted professional development. Bunnings supplies gardening materials for our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden. Food Bank supports our Breakfast Club, and Rotary provides scholarships for our students. Additionally, we are pleased to announce a dental visit from Smile Squad, supported by Banyule Community Health, to ensure our students’ dental health is well cared for.

If you are interested in making an enrolment enquiry please complete the online enrolment enquiry form or the school tour booking form.

 

 

La Trobe Primary School Principal – Ms Soula Bennett
235 Kingsbury Drive (239-267 Waiora Rd), Macleod West

Enrolment Information
Phone: (03) 9223 1400