Lauriston Girls’ School - Handbook 2026
Welcome to the Co-curricular Handbook
Lauriston Girls’ School offers a range of extra-curricular programs for students in Kindergarten to Year 12 who are studying at the Armadale Campus.
The school’s Co-curricular programs are designed to complement the classroom learning and create a well-rounded learning experience for students.
Co-curricular activities are defined as activities that enhance the student’s regular curriculum.
These Co-curricular programs are designed to help students explore their passions and strengths as well as developing social skills and independence.
Through participating in these programs students are offered opportunities for further learning and enjoyment.
We encourage parents to carefully read through the Co-curricular Handbook and select the activities that you believe your child will enjoy.
If you have any queries re the 2026 Co-curricular Programs, please email student@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Kind regards
The Lauriston Business Office
Terms and Conditions
Enrolments
Students enrol in each activity once per school year. The enrolment will continue until notice of cancellation (see section below) is provided. Unless otherwise stated, all enrolments in Co-curricular activities can be made online via Schoolbox. Parents are required to log onto their Schoolbox account and select Co-curricular, and complete and submit their Co-curricular selections.
Please email student@lauriston.vic.edu.au if you require any additional information around Co-curricular activities.
Enrolments Cancellation
Cancellation in writing to the Business Office of four weeks wholly within a term is required to withdraw from Co-curricular activities: accounts@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Your school account will be charged for four weeks fees if the required notice is not provided.
Fees
Fees are charged as per the detailed Co-curricular information.
An application to participate in any Co-curricular activity run by Lauriston will only be considered if all tuition and other fees and charges have been paid by the due date. Where fees remain outstanding and no acceptable payment plan is in place, Lauriston reserves the right to exclude the student from participating or applying for this activity.
Fees for Co-curricular activities are currently charged quarterly in arrears to the student’s school fee account. An account will be issued four times a year at the beginning of Terms 2, 3 and 4, with the final account issued in December each year.
Payment must be made in full within one month from the date of issue of the account.
Activities Held After School
Parents are urged to collect their child promptly at the end of a Co-curricular activity. There is no staff supervision after school and, in winter, classes often finish after dark. In the interests of safety, students should not wander around school grounds either before or after classes. No child should be in the grounds unsupervised.
Junior School students are required to attend after-school hours care (extended.com.au) if their activity does not commence straight after dismissal or there is a delay in being picked up at the end of a program. A fee applies for this service.
Older students whose classes do not start immediately after school are required to wait in the library until the scheduled start time and if making their own way home should leave school grounds immediately after their class.
Group Programs
Group programs will only operate if there are sufficient students enrolling in the program quarterly in arrears to the student’s school fee account.
Activities Available
Basketball
Bush Kindergarten
Chess (lunchtime)
Coding*
Compass Award
Dance and Movement
Debating
Drama (lunchtime)
Duke of Edinburgh Award
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Entrepreneurship Program*
French Language Classes*
Netball Club
Rowing
Snowsports
Swimming
*Provided by an external company (held at Lauriston Girls’ School). Refer to the end of this Handbook for more information
Lauriston Basketball Club (LBC)
The Lauriston Basketball Club is open to all students in Years 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
The 2025/2026 Summer Season has already commenced.
The 2026 Winter Season will commence in Term 2
The 2026/2027 Summer Season will commence in Term 4.
The Waverley Basketball Association competition will run weekly on Saturdays.
Please see below for information regarding the season cost, dates, matchdays and times.
Season
Teams play in the Waverley Basketball Association. Students are selected into teams based on their age and teams are graded based on ability.
Matchday occurs on Saturdays. The following is a guide only for game times and some games occur outside of these times:
• U/10 girls (year 3) anytime from 8.45am to 11.00am
• U/12 girls anytime form 11.45am to 2.45am
• U/14 girls anytime from 2.45pm to 5.45pm
Training occurs on Tuesdays at lunchtime for U/10.
Training occurs on Friday morning 6:45am – 8am for U/12 and U/14.
Lauriston Basketball Club Open Squad Training
LBC Open Squad Training occurs on Fridays and Tuesday at lunchtime, all registered players are welcome.
Co-ordinator
Caitlin Taylor: basketball@lauriston.vic.edu.au.
Fee
$450 per semester (six-month commitment)
Enrol
For more information on the LBC please refer to the club information on the Basketball Schoolbox page
Bush Kindergarten
4 Year Old Kindergarten
Vision: A world in which all people learn from and within nature.
“Children involved in unstructured play in nature are calmer and will engage in richer imaginative play, increased physical activity, more focused play, and with positive social interactions” Nedovic et al., 2013
There is growing evidence of the benefits of children playing freely in nature. Nature is a perfectly balanced play space brimming with loose parts that children can use to develop their games of imagination.
Contact
Fiona Ireland, Director of Kindergarten: irelandfi@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Sessions
Friday during Term time, 9.30am-1.30pm
Fee
$780 per term, to be added to your school account.
Enrol
Limited places, booking requests are taken following the Bush Kinder Open Morning in Term 4
Chess
Years 1 to 6
Classes will be offered to both beginner and advanced students. Students who already have a working knowledge of chess will be able to develop their skills, work towards participation in inter-school tournaments and can attend chess camps and holiday programs organised by Chess Australia.
The following skills will be developed:
• Abstract analysis
• Spatial aptitude
• Problem- solving
• Verbal reasoning
• Logical and critical thinking
• Concentration and focus
The program runs for two semesters and students are expected to commit to at least one semester.
Teacher
Mr Leonid Sandler, International Master and International Chess Federation Trainer, Captain of Women’s Olympiad Chess Team 2004, 2006 and 2010, Director of Chess Australia Pty. Ltd.
Sessions
Years 1 – 2: Tuesday at lunchtime
Years 3 – 6: Thursday at lunchtime
Fee
$205 per term, to be added to your school account
Enrol
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Compass Award
Levels 1 & 2 for Years 5 and 6
Levels 3 & 4 for Years 6 to 7
The Awards Victoria Program - Compass Award is designed to enhance development of the individual by allowing and encouraging participants to choose their own challenging activities that are interesting, exciting and fun. Students will learn to effectively set SMART goals to help them develop resilience, increase their confidence and build leadership skills in a non-competitive environment.
The program is structured progressively over four levels in which students create a unique program made of activities associated with four categories:
• Health /Physical Activity
• Skills/ Hobby
• Citizenship/ Volunteering
• Adventure/ Exploration
The structure seeks to support flexible, weekly time commitments that can adapt to busy schedules.
This program is open to all students in Years 5 to 7.
Fee
$120 per year, to be added to your school account. The fee covers administrative and stationery costs involved in conducting the Award, plus registration with the Awards Victoria Office.
Co-ordinator
Ms Lisa Howden
Enrol
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Dance and Movement
4 Year Old Kindergarten to Year 6
The Australian Academy of Dance will be providing dance lessons at Lauriston in classical ballet and our preschool program of Dance. The Australian Academy of Dance is in Malvern East and is regarded as one of Melbourne’s premier dance training institutions and is proud to partner with Lauriston Girls’ School. Students will have the opportunity to learn from an experienced teacher and participate in annual assessments, mid-year performances and an end-of-year production at the National Theatre in St Kilda.
Sessions and Term Dates
Wednesday 3.30pm - 4.10pm Ballet 4 Year Old Kindergarten
Wednesday 4.15pm - 4.55pm Ballet Prep to Year 2
Wednesday 5.00pm - 6.00pm Ballet Years 3 to 6
Term 1
Location
Dance Studio, on the ground floor of the Irving Hall building Fees
$245 per term to be added to your school account Terms are typically eight weeks in length.
Please note that class time may change due to enrolment numbers:
• minimum of six (6) students per ballet class Enrol
4 Year Old Kindergarten: Complete the online enrolment form
Prep – Year 6: Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Debating
Debating provides students with an opportunity to develop their skills in critical thinking, reasoning and public speaking. Students on the debating teams learn to articulate in a clear manner, address an audience and present a strong argument. Students learn and discuss important issues affecting our world and engage in friendly competitions with students within Lauriston and from other schools.
Year 7/8 Debating (Junior School Program)
The Junior School Program is an introduction to debating offered to all students in Years 7 and 8.
Fee
$50 per year, to be added to your school account
Enrol in Year 7/8 Debating (Junior School Program)
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code
Senior Debating
Participation in the DAV competition is offered to all students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Fee
$70 per year, to be added to your school account.
Enrol in Senior Debating
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Drama (lunchtime)
Years 4 to 8
Drama workshops are designed to provide participants with an enjoyable drama experience while increasing their confidence, creativity, skill levels and development of drama techniques. This will involve:
• Drama games and theatre sports
• Improvisation
• Exploration of space
• Sensory awareness activities
• Group devised plays and storytelling
• Mime and non- verbal communication
• Characterisation activities
• Developing scripts
Teacher
Ms Bronwyn Greig
Fee
$210 per term (eight weeks) to be added to your school account.
Enrol
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Available from Year 8 (14th birthday) to Year 12, with entry level at Bronze. Involvement in the Award encourages participants to pursue and maintain a wide range of desirable interests that will enhance their own development. Students are required to take more control of shaping their future as they follow their choice of interests. Applicants can tailor activities they currently do into their Award. Successful completion of a level is rewarded by a recognised community award. It may be possible for Years 11 and 12 International Baccalaureate students to use aspects of the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the IB course towards the Service component of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. However, students must check with the Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator beforehand to ensure that service requirements of the Duke of Edinburgh Award are met.
The Award Involves: Service, Adventurous Journey, Skill, Physical Recreation and Residential Project (Gold only). There are three levels: Bronze (14+ Years 8 and 9), Silver (15+ Year 10), Gold (16+ Years 11 and 12). Students must start at Bronze level if they meet (or if at Howqua, nearly meet) the age requirement. Students are then able to continue to Silver or move directly to Gold level if they meet the age requirement.
Involvement Required
• Initiative and decision- making
• Commitment
• Time
• Organisation
Benefits
• Retaining a wide range of desirable interests
• Greater enrichment of the student
• Gaining community recognition for the students’ achievements
• Social interaction and support
• Giving to the community
• Enjoyment, satisfaction and achievement
Fee
$520 covers administrative and stationery costs involved in conducting the Award, plus registration with the Duke of Edinburgh State Office. Expedition costs at Gold Level are additional and depend on the choice of activity. Bronze and Silver Expeditions completed at Howqua are at no additional cost.
Minimum Requirements
Expedition
If at Howqua: Hiking, Cycling, XC Skiing, Canoeing and Rafting.
Choice of (if at Howqua): Hiking, XC Skiing and Canoeing.
Expeditions may include: hikes, overseas trips, other recreational trips
^ If new at Gold level, one component needs to be 18 months
Co-ordinator
Ms Jodie Mitchell
Enrol
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Years 1 to 6
Lauriston Junior School is offering English as an Additional Language (EAL) Classes to Junior School students in Year 1 through to Year 6. This program will run during Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4. Students are expected to commit for a term.
Co-ordinator
Ms Nina Harrison
Years 1 to 3
Mondays: 3.30pm - 4.30pm, in classroom F101
Fee: $150 per term, 8 lessons, where possible, to be added to your school account
Years 4 to 6
Tuesdays: 3.30pm – 4.45pm, in classroom F101
Fee: $210 per term, 8 lessons, where possible, to be added to your school account
Enrol
Complete the online enrolment form or scan the QR code.
Music
All Year Levels
Engagement in musical learning is an essential part of the educational experience for all Lauriston students.
We recognise the joy, resilience, and challenge that arises from musical learning and place high value on the capacity of music to shape our students into empathetic, creative and curious people. The vast experiences which are available to our musicians, whether this be performing on Melbourne’s finest concert stages or composing a digital soundtrack, all play a role in transforming the imaginations and confidence of our students.
Private Music Lessons
All students from Prep – Year 12 can enrol in private individual or group instrumental lessons, including voice and theory lessons, through the Lauriston Music School. Enrolment is via the Music page on Schoolbox.
Please note that all existing music students are NOT required to re-register for the following year; they will be automatically rolled over. Only new music students are required to register on Schoolbox for 2026.
The following list indicates instruments available for study and the minimum year level at which students may commence.
*Students can apply to learn instruments which are asterisked. These requests will be considered by the Director of Music and/or relevant Head of Department. Considerations will be based on physical suitability of the student and their aptitude for the instrument.
2026 Private Lesson Fees
Ensembles
A broad range of open, auditioned and chamber music ensembles are available for our students to join so that they may experience the joy of shared group music-making. For more information, including a description of each ensemble, the ensemble timetable and registration information, please visit the Ensembles section of the Music Page on Schoolbox.
Terms & Conditions
Full terms and conditions for private music lessons can be found on Schoolbox.
Lauriston Netball Club (LNC)
Years 3 to 12
The LNC was established at the start of 2018. The LNC is open to all Lauriston students from Years 3 to 12 and acts as an opportunity for students who would like to play club netball for their school.
Teams are based on year levels. From Grades 5 and up these teams are assigned by skill level and experience All students who register by the due date will be allocated a team.
Matches take place on Saturdays for all year levels at Waverley District Netball Association in Ashwood. Games begin in late February. There are no games on long weekends or school holidays.
Trainings take place before school either in the Ullmer Centre, Huntingtower Courts or at Orrong Romanis reserve stadium depending on year level. (Those at Orrong will be transported back to school by bus).
Training and games are both compulsory to attend.
** Please note that the netball club is separate to GSV Netball in Term 2**
Netta
In Terms 3 and 4, Lauriston is offering a Netta Program to students in Year 2.
This program is open to all Year 2 students who are interested in learning the skills of netball.
The Netta sessions will be run by the Lauriston Netball Club senior coaches and will be held at lunchtime in the Ullmer Centre and on the Huntingtower Road courts.
Registration and information for the 2026 Netta Program will be available in late term 2
Please note: the Netta Program will only commence if the minimum number of participants is met .
Co-ordinator
Kellie Strauss: netball@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Enrol
Please note: Registration for the 2026 Lauriston Netball Club is available on Schoolbox. Registrations for Season 1 close on December 5 2025.
For more information on the LBC please refer to the club information on the Netball Schoolbox page.
Rowing
Years 8 to 12
Rowing training is held each week at Banks Rowing Club, 3 Boathouse Drive, Melbourne.
To participate in the Lauriston Rowing Program, students need to commit to the training schedule and full participation at the rowing regattas. For students in Years 10 and 11 as part of this program, it is compulsory for participants to attend both the January rowing camp and the Head of the School Girls’ regatta, in Term 1 2027. The cost of both events is included in the 2026/2027 Rowing Season Fees.
Season
The rowing season commences in Terms 3 and 4 of the current year and runs through to the end of Term 1 in the following year.
• Current Year 8 students’ row in Term 3 and 4 202 6
• Current Years 9 students’ row in Term 1 2027.
• Current Years 10 and 11 students’ row in Term 3 2026, Term 4 2026 and Term 1 2027
Co-ordinator
Pete Kupcis, Head of Rowing: kupcispe@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Terms and Conditions
An application to participate in this Co-curricular Program run by Lauriston will only be considered if all tuition and other fees and charges have been paid by the due date. Where fees remain outstanding and no acceptable payment plan is in place, Lauriston reserves the right to exclude the student from participating in this activity.
Parents are urged to collect their child promptly at the end of each rowing session.
Careful consideration should be given before students take extra sporting programs. Too often students are keen to play a sport and when they realise that hard work, application and commitment are required, their interest wanes rapidly.
Enrol
Please note: Registration for the 2026/27 Rowing Program will be communicated via Schoolbox .
For more information, please contact the Head of Rowing or refer to the Rowing Schoolbox page.
Snowsports
Prep to Year 12
The 2026 Lauriston Snowsports Program is open to all students from Prep to Year 12, with no prior competition experience required.
Students may compete in a range of disciplines throughout the winter season, including, Alpine Giant Slalom, Ski cross, Snowboard Giant Slalom, Boardercross, Moguls, Cross Country Classical, and Cross-Country Freestyle Relay. All students compete in divisions determined by their year level.
Snowsports trials are compulsory for teams' selection in the Victorian Interschools events and will be held July 26 and 27 at Mt Buller.
The Victorian Interschools Competition will run from August 16 to 23.
• Junior School divisions compete Sunday to Wednesday.
• Senior School divisions compete Thursday to Sunday.
In addition to the levy and competition costs, accommodation and transport for both the trial days and Interschools competitions must be arranged and paid for by parents.
Fee
$490, to be added to your school account.
Enquiries
Karl Lewis, Snowsports Coordinator: snowsports@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Please note: Registration for the 2026 Snowsports Program will be available in Term 2 / 2026.
For further information, please also refer to the Snowsports Schoolbox page.
For more information, please refer to the Snowsports Schoolbox page.
Swimming
Level Focus
Starfish
Water confidence and kicking
Clownfish Developing Arm Strokes & Deep Water Activities
Turtle Independent Swimming & Intro to Fly/Breast kick
Stingray Developing Fly/ Breaststroke
Skills
1. Slide In Entry - Monkey Crawl Along Wall - Exit
2. Submerge With Bubbles
3. Float On Front With Aid
4. Float On Back With Aid
5. Kicking On Front With Aid
6. Kicking On Back With Aid
1. Freestyle With Board (10m)
2. Backstroke With Board (10m)
3. Float On Back & Front Unassisted
4. Jump In & Return To Edge Unassisted
5. Submerge & Retrieve Object
6. Kneeling Dive - Push & Glide
1. Freestyle (15m)
2. Backstroke (15m)
3. Dolphin Kick (15m)
4. Survival Backstroke & Sculling On Back
5. Treading Water 30 seconds
6. Standing Dive
1. Freestyle & Backstroke (25m)
2. Breaststroke (15m)
3. Butterfly (15m)
4. Summersault
5. Treading Water 45 seconds
6. Standing Dive Off Blocks
1. Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke (50m)
2. Butterfly (15m)
Dolphin Lap Swimming, Technique & Turns
Shark Endurance Swimming & Development of Racing/Competitive Skills
Squad Program
3. Sidestroke (25m)
4. Tumble turn
5. Treading Water 1 minute
6. Racing Dive
1. Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke (100m)
2. Butterfly (25m)
3. Survival Swim (100m)
4. Turns – All Strokes
5. Treading Water 2 minutes
6. Racing Dive – 25m Sprint
*Fins allowed
Swimmers who complete Shark level, can then join the Lauriston Swim Squad. For all squad enquiries, please email the swim school.
Swimming Lesson Term Fees
Learn to Swim – $255
Private Lessons – $495
Squad Program - $440 Fees
Fees must be paid in full at the time of booking to commence lessons for a particular time period. Fees must be received in full during re-enrolment to guarantee your spot for the following term. Payments can be made by Visa or Mastercard in the Swim School office. (). A credit surcharge of 1% (GST inclusive and subject to change) will be applied to the transaction at the time of making payment. No refunds will be made on any term payments.
Suspension will only be granted upon presentation of a medical certificate stating the dates of absence to the Swim School Manager.
Any payments affected by a suspension will be held over in family credit indefinitely.
Management reserves the right to terminate the Lauriston Swimming membership of any person not complying with any of the listed terms and conditions.
Enrol and More Information
Swim School webpage | Read the Swim School Handbook
For all enquiries and to enrol, contact Chloe Walker, Aquatics & Swim School Manager
Email: swimschool@lauriston.vic.edu.au
Phone: 9864 7572
External Providers
In addition to the Co-curricular activities provided by employed or contracted staff, Lauriston offers Coding, Entrepreneurship Program and French through external service providers. As these programs are run by external providers, please contact the provider directly to enrol your child in these programs.
Code Camp
Years 3-6
Wednesdays, 3.30pm–4.45pm
Phone: 1300 26 33 22
Enrol via the codecamp website
Alliance Française
Years 1-6
French language classes held on Mondays.
French Club 1 from 3.30pm - 4.30pm, French Club 2 from 4.30pm - 5.30pm.
Phone: 9525 3463
Enrol via the Alliance Françoise website
Kids Unlimited (Entrepreneurship Program)
Years 5 & 6
Held on Fridays 3.30pm-4.30pm
Phone: 1300 424 377
Enrol via the Kids Unlimited website (in 2026)
38 Huntingtower Road Armadale VIC 3143 Australia
CRICOS No. 00152F
Primary Years Course Code: 015713K
Secondary Years Course Code: 005356J
ABN 15 004 264 402
+61 3 9864 7555
student@lauriston.vic.edu.au
lauriston.vic.edu.au