St Anthony’s Primary School, Lara VIC
Gender
Co-Ed
Years
Prep-6
Enrolments
436
Established: 1983
Principal: Mrs Natalie Heard
Address: 90 Kees Road, Lara 3212
Key Information
Staff
34 Teaching
11 Non Teaching
Fees
See website (Primary)
Languages
Italian
About our school
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.
Open Days/School Tours
See school website for more details
Principal's Message
St Anthony’s school is located in Lara and was built through the hard work of our Parishioners on its present site over 30 years ago. While it was initially a small rural school the changing face of Lara means that it has grown significantly. In 2026 the enrolment will exceed 500 students.
Our teachers work hard to ensure that they deliver excellent learning and teaching opportunities in every classroom, everyday ensuring our students become the best they can be. We draw our inspiration from St Anthony who said “Actions speak louder than words. Let your words teach and your actions speak”.
Choosing a school is one of the most significant decisions you will make for your child. For some, the search for the ‘perfect school’ for your child can be a difficult one and for others it is an easy one. It is important before choosing a school to ensure you visit the site to understand how it operates. No school will cater for your every need but it is important that it does address the most significant needs of your child and align with your family values.
Our school is committed to developing a safe and comfortable environment that allows our students to learn and flourish. It provides students with a high quality education that equips them with the foundations, knowledge and skills that they need to participate in and contribute to society. We follow the Victorian Curriculum. Our school draws on research from cognitive science, the science of learning, and the science of reading to shape our teaching. These principles guide us to deliver explicit, direct instruction within a knowledge-rich curriculum, ensuring all students are supported to build strong foundations and achieve success in their learning. Students develop a sense of their own identity and how they fit into our local and global communities. We actively encourage leadership and teach children ways they can stand up for their beliefs in a positive way.
Physically our school has significantly changed over the past 8 years with the addition of refurbished learning spaces, new modular classrooms and upgraded facilities . These projects are part of our long term strategy to meet enrolment demand and to provide modern first-class educational facilities.
Our parents contribute significantly to school life in a range of ways. Communication between staff and parents are of the utmost importance to us as we view ourselves as in partnership with each other.
If you feel you would like to hear more about our school please free to contact us through the school office.
Mrs Natalie Heard – Principal
Quick Facts
• 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)
