1. What makes Leaning Tree Community School special?
2. What is the Head, Heart and Hands / Whole Child concept?
3. What is expected of our family when we enrol our child at LTCS?
4. What are the educational options once my child/ren finish Primary School at LTCS?
5. Does LTCS have sports carnivals?
6. Does LTCS offer in-term swimming lessons for students?
7. MAGS – what does this mean and how does it work? What are the benefits for my child?
8. How many students will be enrolled at LTCS in 2009?
9. What if my child doesn’t get on with the teacher?
10. We may be leaving Geraldton-Greenough mid year. Will there be a refund on fees?
11. Can my child travel to LTCS on the regular school bus?
12. What religion does the school follow or teach?
13. Does LTCS have school camps?
14. What is expected of me as a parent? I notice you expect high parental involvement?
15. Does LTCS have a school uniform?
16. What are the fees for my child to attend LTCS?
17. Is LTCS a ‘real’ school and do the children still learn the same things as other schools?
18. Does LTCS have class testing?
19. Does LTCS have computers in the classroom?
20. Does LTCS teach languages?
21. How long will LTCS be at St.Pats and what are the plans for future school premises?
22. Does LTCS cater for children with special needs including children who use wheelchairs?
23. What is LTCS policy on bullying?
24. What is LTCS policy on CD’s, TV’s and mobiles in the school and classroom?
25. Can I see the school before enrolling my child?
26. LTCS is ‘Steiner Inspired’. What does this mean?
27. How is LTCS different from other schools in Geraldton-Greenough?
29. Does LTCS accept part time students?
We aim to educate the whole child - head, heart and hands. Our broad
curriculum balances academic subjects with artistic and practical activities.
Our teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each
child. We believe that by using arts and activities in the service of teaching
academics, an internal motivation for learning is developed. Activities
often considered as
Parents play a valued role in the school community. Parents participation is encouraged and are seen as partners in the education of their child. We have an open door policy, welcoming parent support in the classrooms at all times.
When employing a
When approaching subject matter with a balance of artistic, practical and intellectual activities, the whole child is engaged to use his/her feeling, thinking and willing functions. A love of and enthusiasm for learning is created. We believe children naturally become academically proficient through this approach.
We take the role of ensuring students have a full range of life skills to enter into the world by developing the whole child very seriously. We have created an inclusive environment in which children feel secure, welcomed and supported. We work meaningfully with each child to ensure all students reach their full potential as young adults.
“To educate the whole child, his
heart and will must be reached as well as his mind.”
- Rudolf Steiner
Enrolling your child at
To help the children’s transition between home and school, we have developed a Code of Behaviour. You will find this in the enrolment pack.
A Register will be maintained to record your family’s community efforts in helping our school to run effectively. Areas in which you can help are suggested in the Parent Handbook under ‘Parental Involvement’. For further information please refer to the ‘Parent Commitment Scheme’ in the enrolment pack.
Like any Primary School, once students graduate from Leaning Tree they are free to enrol in the private or public High School system.
Experience has shown that by nurturing and focusing on the whole child in a warm, open environment and instilling firm values and beliefs, each child is equipped to enter into any High School. They are naturally motivated to continue on with their own personal learning journey.
Leaning Tree is developing its sports program, including circus skills and
the annual
Family Fun Sports Carnival each September.
The option to incorporate in-term swimming lessons will be reviewed by the Principal and Teaching & Learning Action Team each year.
LTCS will participate in in-term swimming lessons in 2009.
Multi-age grouping (MAG) is a structure where students are drawn from two or more age levels to form one class unit. This method is also referred to as mixed-age, family and vertical grouping. One of the main advantages of MAG is that it offers students the opportunity to work with peers on a similar academic or social level. Compassion naturally develops as children learn to relate in mixed age setting. Students are exposed to different opportunities which allow them to become role models, leaders and participants. Please refer to our website or Parent Handbook for more information.
We anticipate an enrolment of 34 students from K - Year 7, divided into two classes. There will be two teachers on staff.
In this situation there will be a three way conference between the child, the parents and the Principal/Teacher to find balance and equilibrium for all parties concerned. Every effort will be made to ensure your child’s experience at school is an enjoyable and happy one.
Notice must be given at least 30 days prior to leaving. Refunding of term fees is then at the discretion of administration.
Parents who opt to pay the whole years term fees before the 28th February will receive a 10% discount of the term fee component. Please refer to the LTCS Schedule of Fees in the enrolment pack for more information.
Children who attend Leaning Tree are welcome to catch the regular orange school bus service in and around Geraldton. For more information please refer to the Parent Handbook in the enrolment pack.
We have wonderful school camps, excursions and incursions when the whole family are encouraged to join in the adventures of learning. School camps will be planned and developed by the staff body in consultation with the parent body.
Yes, that’s right. We encourage high parental involvement in all aspects of the school community including the Family Commitment Scheme. Leaning Tree and your family work as a team in your child’s education. We are here to help and guide you.
All details may be found in the enrolment pack.
The Leaning Tree uniform is a coloured polo-T shirt and navy shorts or skirt/skorts, complimented by a navy wide-brimmed hat, all embroidered with our logo. The wearing of the LTCS school uniform is compulsory. All children are required to wear sturdy shoes.
Please refer to the ‘Schedule of Fees' document contained within this website or contact the school Administrator.
We sure are! Leaning Tree is a Primary School just like any other. We are registered from Kindy to Year 7 as a non-government (licensed) school by the Department of Education Services under the Minister for Education and Training. We adhere to the Curriculum Framework as directed by the Curriculum Council of WA.
Challenges are set for the children and progress is closely monitored by the teachers. The teaching body is in very close contact with the parent/s to ensure you are up-to-date on all issues surrounding your child’s development. A variety of assessment materials are used.
All students in Years 3, 5 & 7 are bound to partake in statewide NAPLAN (National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy) testing.
LTCS feels that learning by ‘doing’ is a more effective tool to develop knowledge, skills and values. With this in mind, we are currently developing a policy on how and when to introduce computers into the classroom.
Yes, we include at least one language other than English in our Learning Programs. This is a part of the State Curriculum Standards required by all WA Primary Schools.
The Leaning Tree LOTE program currently includes German and Italian lessons once a week.
We plan to rent St. Pats premises for 3 to 4 years while we raise funds
to design and build our fabulous purpose built
Yes we do. The Principal will talk with you and your child about individual needs at the time of enrolment to ensure equitable access to the learning environment is developed.
We do not tolerate any form of bullying and will work with the child(ren) in question to resolve and learn from the experience. All members of our school community need to adhere to our carefully developed ‘Code of Behaviour’ found in the enrolment pack.
We do not allow personal technology items to be used in the classroom or school grounds. This includes use of mobile phones and gameboys etc. If personal items of this nature are brought to school, they must be left in the child’s bag or with the class teacher. Children may use the office phone to communicate urgently with their caregivers if need. We do not encourage the use of TV within the classroom.
Yes. We would love to show you around
We work meaningfully to light the spark which encourages each child to explore and feel concepts, skills and values fully. When approaching subject matter we balance artistic, practical and intellectual pursuits.
Community Schooling allows exploration of many learning strategies and educational influences from around the world. Our research has led us to develop the Leaning Tree Educational Philosophy. You can read more about one influence, the Steiner philosophy, on our website (links page) and also in the Parent Handbook.
We are a member of the Association of Independent Schools of
LTCS draws upon a range of educational ideologies and strategies including the Steiner philosophy. The development of the whole child through Project Based Learning is paramount.
We will remain a school with small class sizes, encouraging a ‘family-like’ community. Links between home and school are strongly valued with high parental involvement characteristic throughout the school.
The natural environment is central to our school. Buildings, gardens and the school curriculum will follow principles of environmental sustainability and permaculture.
Student academic performance is central to the LTCS philosophy. Literacy and numeracy skills are a high priority in our educational planning and accountability.
Student progress in all Learning Areas is monitored closely to ensure standards are met. The Western Australian Literacy and Numeracy Testing (WALNA), which benchmarks student progress against their peers throughout the State, supports the school to identify minimum standards. This is conducted in Years 3, 5 and 7.
We believe high educational outcomes are achieved through Multi-Age Grouping; small class sizes; committed teachers; and a close home-school relationship between teachers and parents.
We had hoped to accept part-time students (home schooled children), however we have since been advised by the Department of Education Services that we are unable to do so.