The Opportunities are Endless
by Dean of Primary School, Cameron Wigan
The co-curricular opportunities for boys in the Primary School at Lauries are endless and extend far beyond just Sport and Music. Boys are encouraged to engage with a number of alternate options and celebrate in the holistic education offered at the College.
Students in Years 5 and 6 can join and participate in clubs for Robotics, Coding, Urban Farm and Art as well as develop skills in Chess, Public Speaking and Debating. These programs give boys the encouragement and opportunity to pursue their interests and seek excellence in areas that appeal to them.
The Chess program is delivered as a part of the AIC, along with a wide variety of sports. The Primary competition is conducted on Friday afternoons throughout Term 2 and is becoming increasingly popular each year.
Public Speaking and Debating are fabulous cultural activities for boys to improve speaking skills, teamwork and confidence. The opportunity to write and deliver a speech in Year 5 Public Speaking or working with a team to form an argument in Year 6 Debating are excellent opportunities to try something new and develop skills to support learning. The competition with Padua College, Marist College Ashgrove and Ambrose Treacy College has been running for several years now on a Tuesday evening during Term 2 and is always a
co-curricular opportunity valued by those involved.
The Urban Farm would perhaps be familiar to many already with it being a well-publicised and an outstanding program available to the Primary School boys. Located on the College campus, The Urban Farm allows boys to assist with the crops and animals, work outdoors and showcase their interest in environmentalism and sustainability.
The Primary Art Club is conducted after school each week and is delivered by a member of the College Arts faculty. Boys keen on developing their skills in Visual Art undertake a series of workshops and classes to produce magnificent pieces and work with likeminded friends.
The Robotics and Coding programs always attract interest from our younger students with the boys being fascinated by the coding and mechanical aspects of robots and gadgets. These clubs allow boys to develop skills in creativity as well as applying their knowledge in a range of different contexts. Boys compete against each other in tournaments and learn how to work together to improve the movements of their robots. The Coding Club also operates after school and is led by an external provider to assist the boys in developing skills in computer coding.
These programs, along with the extensive offerings in Sport, Music and service provide a holistic experience in which our Primary School students can connect to the College outside of the classroom and curriculum offerings.