Welcome to Laharum Primary School

Laharum Primary School is undoubtedly ‘a school with a view’ being located at the base of the picturesque Grampians National Park overlooking the multitude of olive groves for which the area is renowned.  Importantly, Laharum Primary School is also ‘a school with a view’ to the future- for its students and in all its educational practices.

Located 35kms from Horsham, Laharum is classified a remote, rural school.  Laharum is part of the Horsham Rural Schools Cluster incorporating Haven PS and Natimuk PS.  With a current enrolment of 34 students, boys outnumber girls by 21 to 13, which is a common for our school.

Over the past 3 years the school population has grown and should continue to do so. Currently we have 23 families, the majority of whom have a connection to a farming/rural lifestyle.  There is an established artistic population in the area and a strong community emphasis placed on the environment.  The majority of students travel to school by bus, drawing from a surrounding area of approximately 40km in radius and giving us the ‘honour’ of being the longest school bus route in Victoria.

We have the somewhat unusual situation of an extra 4 ‘part time’ students enrolled from Melbourne schools.  Three families have purchased land in Laharum and have not yet relocated, but all wish their children to experience a country school for varying lengths of time.  This has been a rewarding ‘exchange’ experience for our school community.

Laharum Primary School also benefits greatly from the co-location of the Laharum Pre-School/Occasional Care within our school grounds.  The adjacent proximity has enabled a close working relationship between the kinder and school whilst facilitating a smooth educational transition for families.  It also reinforces the strong ‘family’ feel of our school.

At Laharum Primary School we strive to develop confident, resilient students who are able to embrace all the challenges of life with an open mind.  There is a strong focus on ‘community’ and helping others.  Each year the senior students form the Helping Hands Committee – a group dedicated to leadership within the school and to helping others in need.  The HH Committee, in conjunction with the school raise funds for charities and purchase toys for children through the Kmart Wishing Tree program.  Students prepare and conduct an annual Over 60’s Luncheon – a free 3 course lunch for their grandparents and ‘older’ community members.  Students cook, wait and perform items as part of the day.  The aspect of helping others is an important part of the school curriculum and culture.

The school currently offers P-2 & 3-6 classrooms with specialist programs, giving us 3.1 equivalent full time staff: 1 Principal class, 4 teacher class and 1 Education Support staff.  Our specialist areas are: the Arts, Science & Technology, ICT-expert and Maths/Library.  Dutch LOTE is provided by 2 local instructors.