Larrakeyah Primary School: Enhancing Education Through Innovation and Strategy

Larrakeyah Primary School
Larrakeyah Primary School

Evolving Student Learning!

The education sector continually evolves, striving to adapt to new challenges and innovations to enhance student learning. In Australia, primary education plays an important role in shaping the foundation of young minds. High-performing schools are not just centers of academic excellence but also cultivate holistic development by incorporating well-being, creativity and critical thinking into their curriculum. The integration of innovative teaching practices and international standards further elevates the quality of education, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the future.

Larrakeyah Primary School in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, demonstrates these qualities. Known for its high academic performance and innovative programs, the school has earned national and international recognition. With a strong focus on student well-being and high-quality teaching, Larrakeyah Primary offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines the Australian Curriculum with the Cambridge Curriculum. Its status as one of the first Independent Public Schools in the Northern Territory and the first government school to achieve Cambridge International School accreditation highlights its commitment to excellence and autonomy in education.

Adding to its commitment, Larrakeyah Primary School is dedicated to the holistic development of its students. To support this, the school implements programs that cultivate essential skills such as gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy.

A school’s progress is measured over time and Fathma Mauger’s effective leadership has been crucial for continuous school improvement. Fathma’s experience and strategic vision have been crucial in cultivating an environment where teachers and students can excel. Leading schools successfully as Principal for 16 years, her leadership focuses on high expectations, innovative teaching practices and strategic vision, which have collectively contributed to the school’s outstanding performance and its ability to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.

Let’s explore Larrakeyah Primary School’s inspiring excellence in education:

Excellence in Education

Larrakeyah Primary School, located in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, is a high-performing and innovative school. It is a sought-after urban school catering to approximately 500 students from preschool to sixth grade.

The school is highly academic, with 98% of its students performing above the Australian mean in national NAPLAN testing. This award-winning school is recognized both nationally and internationally for its academic success, commitment to student well-being, high-quality teaching focused on research and best practices, school partnerships, innovative and bespoke programs and continuous school improvement.

In 2014, Larrakeyah Primary was among the first six Independent Public Schools (IPS) in the Northern Territory, granting the school greater autonomy in staffing, finance, programs and innovation.

In 2016, the school became the first government school in the Northern Territory to achieve accreditation as a Cambridge International School. The school implements the Australian Curriculum in conjunction with the Cambridge Curriculum.

The school maintains a high profile, with its programs designed to prepare students for the 21st century.

The Pursuit of Excellence in Education

Larrakeyah Primary School, with its motto being “Pathways to Excellence,” envisions “We instill life-long learning through high standards, high expectations and high achievement.” The school has been successful in ensuring high standards and excellent results in public education by pursuing best practices in teaching and learning and using data to inform practice.

The key to their success is consistency and a common approach. The school’s teaching and learning are underpinned by ‘Visible Learning,’ the work of John Hattie. A curriculum scope and sequence document is in place so that teachers are aware of what to teach and when. Pedagogical frameworks are used to ensure a consistent approach to teaching and curriculum delivery across the school, with clear expectations.

A planning and programming policy is in place to make teaching program expectations explicit. The school supports its teachers by providing time for collaborative team planning. Feedback is provided to teachers on their planning. Teachers focus on differentiated teaching programs to cater to individual learning needs.

The school has built the capacity of its staff and developed an expert teaching team. Teachers are provided with data coaching so that they are supported in using data to inform teaching. The writing and mathematics triads ensure that teachers observe best practices and receive peer feedback. Leaders observe lessons to provide teacher feedback and put support systems in place if required.

Teachers are encouraged to teach 21st-century skills (communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking) through innovative programs based on design thinking, inquiry learning and working with industry professionals. An explicit induction program is in place for teachers, complete with a mentoring process.

Bridging Cultures

For Larrakeyah Primary School, partnerships with international schools offer unique learning opportunities for students and encourage their growth as global citizens. These partnerships also pave the way for shared professional development among teachers and bring about innovations in school programs. Such international collaborations give students the chance to gain a more profound understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, lifestyles and global issues, thereby helping them comprehend the world they inhabit more effectively.

The collaboration with Invictus International School in Singapore is set to facilitate this for the staff and students of both schools. As part of the international study tour, the Year 6 students from the school will be visiting Invictus International this year.

National and International Recognition

Larrakeyah Primary is a high-performing school that has received recognition at both national and international levels, such as:

  • 2021 International School Awards Top 3 Finalist for the category “Continued Pathways to Further Education”
  • 2022 Winning school in the Australian Education Awards “Best STEM Program”
  • 2022 World’s Best School Prizes Top 3 Finalist for the category “Supporting Healthy Lives.”
  • 2023 Finalist School in the Australian Education Awards – “Best Use of Technology”
  • 2023 Winning School 5-Star Sustainable School Award– The Educator
  • 2023 Winning School 5-Star Innovative School Award – The Educator
  • 2024 Finalist School in the Australian Education Awards – “Best Use of Technology”

Embracing STEAM: A Journey of Innovation and Learning

Larrakeyah Primary School stands as one of the leading STEAM schools in the Northern Territory. In 2022, the school was honored with the award for the best STEM program at the Australian Education Awards.

STEAM is implemented as problem-based learning through inquiry. All students, from Transition to Year 6, participate in STEAM tasks throughout the year.

The school has embarked on a long and continuous journey to fully implement STEAM. The leadership team has dedicated time to researching best STEAM practices and has dispatched staff to visit schools leading in this area to gain further understanding. Members of the leadership team have attended and presented at STEM conferences in Australia and Asia.

Using the research, learnings and observations from visits and conference attendance, the school has learned from others’ attempts. Leaders have extracted parts of best practices and adapted them to what works for the school. This led to the development of the whole school’s STEAM Pedagogical Framework. This framework outlines the school’s expectations for how STEAM is to be taught.

Some of the non-negotiables are Whole School STEAM Days and the Larrakeyah Learner Unit of Work, which is a program that explores the 4Cs for 21st-century learning (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking). The school has created 4Cs trait posters that feature unique mascots and language that are consistently used across the school. The teachers follow the inquiry model: Preschool Professors, Show and Teach (transition – year 2), Genius Hour (years 3–4) and Passion Projects (years 5–6).

The framework highlights the resources the school has in regards to STEAM and the expected teaching approach. The staff Innovation Focus Team collaborates with staff and provides professional development on how to bring innovation and STEAM into the classroom. Collectively, this helps build an understanding of STEAM and how it is integrated into teaching and learning programs.

Each year, Larrakeyah Primary hosts Whole School STEAM Days, where students actively engage in a range of STEAM activities, using the 4Cs for 21st-century learning. One year, for example, the school partnered with The Territory Wildlife Park, which presented two real-world problems for students to solve. The early childhood students were tasked with designing a simple water play area that could be installed at the park. Middle and upper students were tasked with creating ideas for dingo enrichment items. Some of the activities featured on the day included a presentation from a Wildlife Park Ranger to help students connect with and empathize with the problem.

Then, students were involved in a Breakout Box challenge, designing and creating prototypes of solutions collaboratively and presenting their prototypes to representatives of Wildlife Park, who provided quality feedback. Upon completion of the day, students were presented with a credentials certificate, which highlighted their strengths in using the 4Cs. Students also created dingo enrichment items based on their prototypes and delivered them to the Wildlife Park. Students were excited to see dingos interacting with their final creation based on STEAM.

Larrakeyah Primary School’s Extra-curricular Activities Program

Since 2015, Larrakeyah Primary School has been offering an exciting Extra-curricular Activities (ECA) program. This innovative, holistic and futures/community-focused program is designed to enhance learning beyond the classroom by expanding the curriculum and helping students develop new skills and interests. The ECA Program provides students with the opportunity to challenge themselves, enhance their learning and achieve in a variety of contexts. The school’s mission statement is strongly embedded in this program, which is:

“We instill life-long learning through high standards, high expectations and high achievement.”

At the end of 2023, the ECA Program underwent a review and redesign. This review led to the addition of new categories to the program. The five categories now include:

  • Knowledge- To challenge the mind: Mini MasterChef and Lego Engineering encourage students to think critically and solve problems creatively. These activities develop practical skills in cooking and building, nurturing innovation and cognitive growth in young minds.
  • Creativity- To awaken the imagination: Visual Art and Design, Drama, Jewelry Design Studio and Polymer Clay Making inspire students to express themselves artistically. These activities cultivate creativity, enhance fine motor skills and provide an outlet for imaginative exploration and self-expression.
  • Physical- To enhance physical well-being: Soccer, Tennis, Ice Skating, Golf, Sailing and Rugby League Stars (non-tackle) promote physical health and fitness. These sports teach teamwork, discipline and coordination, contributing to overall physical development and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Health and Wellbeing- To nurture the soul: Yoga and Pilates, Mindful Art Club and Making Mindfulness focus on mental and emotional wellbeing. These activities help students manage stress, develop mindfulness and promote a balanced and peaceful state of mind.
  • Community- To give back and learn: The Community category includes activities like the Museum of Curiosities, animal welfare and aged care facilities which encourage students to engage with their community. These programs teach social responsibility, create a sense of belonging and provide opportunities to learn through service and community involvement.

Leading Change in Education

Larrakeyah Primary has strategically focused on school improvement. Fathma Mauger has been in charge as principal of the school for 12 years and has worked with a strong leadership team to drive school improvement through change management, high expectations, high standards and challenging the status quo.

Fathma’s experience in schools has taught her the best practices as a leader and the pitfalls to avoid. More importantly, she has learned how vital a clear vision is to providing strategic direction. With over 35 years of experience in the NT education system, she has understood that while managing change is important, leading change is essential. This understanding has shaped her vision to lead a school to become high-performing, progressive and innovative in preparing students for 21st-century learning.

Her leadership style has evolved to be one of “style flex.”. Her style is flexible and adapts depending on the situation. There are times when a more directive leadership style is required and at other times, a more collaborative style is needed. However, her leadership style develops an innovative school culture that inspires and motivates staff. She begins with the default of “Yes, tell me more about this new idea or better way of doing this,” so she is always open to “different” ways to improve students’ learning. Teachers are encouraged and supported to “think outside the box.”.

An example was when the staff wanted to embrace 21st-century learning and develop a whole school approach to STEAM. She facilitated a collaborative approach by researching, supporting staff to visit other schools in Australia and Singapore, planning, developing a whole school pedagogical approach, trialing, teachers sharing their learnings and encouraging some teachers to take the lead within their year levels to build an inquiry approach. Teachers inspire others, are keen to share their learning and invigorate that innovative mindset in the school.

Shaping the Future of Education

Fathma’s leadership has had a significant impact on student learning, enabling students to learn beyond the classroom and providing them with greater opportunities for learning.

She introduced 21st-century learning and the 4Cs (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking), which has enabled teaching to focus on developing the important skills that students will need for the future. These skills have formed the basis of teaching programs and inquiry-based learning across the school.

She initiated inquiry-based learning, and teachers are keen to accept the challenge of innovative programs such as QUEST and ASPIRE, which are programs where students work with industry professionals on an inquiry project.

QUEST is an inquiry-based program for upper primary students in Years 5 and 6. The program aims to connect and inspire, bringing real-life contexts to the modern-day classroom by using industry professionals and 21st-century learning skills (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication) through project-based inquiry learning. Students elect to participate in a particular project based on an inquiry question.

Projects have included local media, hospitality, forensic sciences, textiles, sustainability, solar energy, the pearling industry, photography, architecture, and the fishing industry. At the end of the program, Year 5/6 students and staff conduct a QUEST Expo of Learning to showcase their learnings from the QUEST program. It is also an opportunity to thank the business and industry professionals who assisted with the program.

The school was a top-three finalist for the 2021 International School Awards in the category “Pathways to Continued and University Education Award.” The QUEST program was highlighted for this award. Larrakeyah Primary was the only Australian school to be shortlisted as a finalist in the International School Awards.

The QUEST program was also highlighted in the school’s nomination for the inaugural World’s Best School Prizes 2022. The school was shortlisted as a Top 3 school in the category “Supporting Healthy Lives.” Larrakeyah Primary was the only Australian school to be shortlisted as a Top 3 finalist school in any of the five categories of the World Best School Prizes.

Teachers from Malaysia have visited the school to learn about QUEST and replicate the programme in their own school. The QUEST program has also featured on a school national television programme.

The new ASPIRE program for Years T-4 was introduced in 2023. The program, incorporating community and industry experts into a unit of work, allows students to use the 4Cs to solve real-world problems. An example of an inquiry question and project is, “At times, people are separated for long periods of time. How can we create a moving toy to communicate with them across time and space?

Throughout the program, students learn from community experts about the importance of communication in people’s lives. To help them understand the problem, students explore different forms of communication and technology from the past and present. They also investigate materials to inform their toy designs. They explore First Nations perspectives and innovation, as well as sustainability. ASPIRE culminates in an Expo of Learning, where students share and showcase their learning with the school community.

Innovative Learning Programs

The key innovations that Fathma has introduced at Larrakeyah Primary have impacted student learning and achievement in various ways. Students love the QUEST and ASPIRE programs. The attitude of all students engaged in these programs exudes positivity and a real willingness and desire to achieve the focus of the inquiry and, furthermore, to teach others about their project.

Students are assessed on the 4Cs as micro-credentials. Each group of students participating in QUEST and ASPIRE has demonstrated growth in their abilities to apply the 4Cs for 21st-century learning beyond the QUEST and ASPIRE programs, applying this to all areas of their learning at Larrakeyah Primary, in the classroom, and beyond.

At its most basic, the students are:

  • Effective critical thinkers reflect on the inquiry question and investigate a breadth of solutions.
  • Authentic, collaborative learners work in a small-group format to achieve a common goal.
  • Original creative learners consolidate the weeks of knowledge they have obtained to develop a clear, concise, innovative showcase for others’ learning.
  • Engaging communicators and choosing methods to deliver the scope of their new knowledge and solution-focused content in the Expo of Learning.

Most critically, however, students are now more adept at identifying issues in their own local community and developing strategies for positive transformations. It can be proudly said that students from Larrakeyah Primary School are problem solvers and changemakers of the future.

Strengthening Parent Partnerships

Larrakeyah Primary School believes in forming strong partnerships with parents to support student learning. As Term 3 ramps up, the school is recapping key initiatives and tools in place to keep parents informed and involved in their child’s education. Larrakeyah Primary School is dedicated to supporting student learning and working with parents to achieve this goal.

Seesaw and Parent Information Sessions

Larrakeyah Primary School leverages Seesaw, a cutting-edge learning platform, to seamlessly connect the classroom and home, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration. Through Seesaw, teachers efficiently assign tasks, share updates, and provide feedback, while parents can securely view their child’s work and maintain regular dialogue with teachers.

Furthermore, the school conducts parent information sessions to keep parents informed about classroom activities and equip them with strategies to effectively support their child’s education. This comprehensive approach fosters a cohesive and engaged learning community.

Through Seesaw, integrated with parent information sessions, newsletters, reports, and three-way conferences,Larrakeyah Primary Schoolis forming a strong partnership and providing pathways to excellence.

Three-Way Conferences: A Team Effort

Three-way conferences set the foundation for positive conversations about learning throughout the semester. Twice a year, students, parents and teachers meet together to share progress, review work and discuss learning goals. This hands-on approach connects home and school, ensuring everyone involved in a student’s learning is on the same page.

Engaging Parents in Special Programs

Parent involvement is crucial to the success of Larrakeyah Primary School’s programs. It provides essential on-the-day help, industry experience skills, and connections to the broader community. Recently, two programs have benefited significantly from parent involvement.

Business Enterprise Market Program: Budding entrepreneurs learn real-world skills by setting up and running businesses to fundraise for school events. Parents share their business knowledge, mentor students, or even become customers at student-run market stalls.

Aspire and Quest Programs: These programs help students develop new skills, explore new passions and discover talents. The more diverse experiences available, the better. The school often surveys parents to learn about special skills or knowledge they can offer, hoping to enrich the Aspire and Quest programs with real-world expertise, making them even more engaging for students.

Emotional Literacy and a Commitment to Student Wellbeing

Larrakeyah Primary School is witnessing the positive impact of The Resilience Project on students. Staff have noticed students increasingly applying the strategies they’ve learned, becoming more mindful of their own emotions and the feelings of others. This mindfulness has led to a visible positive change within the school community. The Resilience Project extends beyond academic support, providing students with tools to navigate life’s challenges, fostering resilience and promoting overall happiness.

The Resilience Project represents Larrakeyah Primary’s commitment to the holistic development of its students. By integrating the principles of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness, the school equips students to become well-rounded individuals. Together with families, Larrakeyah Primary is laying the foundation for a future where students are both academically successful and emotionally literate, fostering a community of resilient and understanding individuals.

An Integrated Approach

YouHue is a wellness app that allows students to share their emotions with their teachers in a safe manner. Students use YouHue to log their feelings daily, helping them become more aware of their mental health through self-reflection. Teachers can better understand their students’ emotional well-being and offer timely support when necessary. Teachers are able to track student wellbeing daily and monitor patterns in wellbeing. YouHue alerts the teacher to any issue where a student’s wellbeing is affected. Additionally, YouHue provides an alternative way for students to express themselves in instances where talking about their feelings verbally might be challenging.

A Future Perspective

Larrakeyah Primary School remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous improvement, a principle that has driven the implementation of pioneering programs such as QUEST, Aspire, and Whole School STEAM Days. The school has invested in technology and teachers have been involved in professional learning with Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In addition to these innovative programs, the school is currently exploring the productive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. This initiative seeks to uncover AI’s potential in enhancing personalized learning experiences, analyzing educational data, generating content, and providing support to both teachers and students. The integration of AI underscores Larrakeyah Primary School’s dedication to embracing innovation and preparing its community for the dynamic demands of the future.

Through the continued development of programs like QUEST and the strategic incorporation of AI, Larrakeyah Primary School is setting new benchmarks in primary education. These forward-thinking practices are designed not only to elevate learning outcomes but also to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving world. As the school progresses in exploring and implementing new initiatives, it remains unwavering in its pursuit of excellence, upholding high expectations, standards, and achievements.

These initiatives have garnered national and international recognition, including the prestigious Five-Star Innovative Schools Award from The Educator magazine.

The future goals of Fathma and the school involve the incorporation of AI across the curriculum to enhance student learning. The intention is to develop a custom-designed Chat GPT for the school that utilizes reliable sources such as teacher lessons, school programs and the curriculum to evolve into a teacher assistant within the classroom. This allows teachers to have an AI assistant set up and guided by them to facilitate individual or small-group learning based on the needs of the students.

Teachers are currently researching the use of AI in other schools to apply to a custom-designed Chat GPT for the school. This is an exciting initiative for future innovation in teaching and learning.