FROM DREAMS TO REALITY

DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AUSTRALIA

The LAP programme began with three volunteers at a South Australian secondary school in 1976. The programme grew quickly over the next few years and by 1982, more than 30 schools had established LAP. This successful venture for secondary students expanded rapidly into junior primary, primary, Catholic, Independent, city, country and interstate schools.

In 1988, a statewide coordinator was appointed to work with schools and by the end of the following year, more than 400 Government and non Government schools participated in the LAP programme.

Mercedes College in South Australia is the national and international focus for the LAP programme. It supports the on-going development of LAP through the provision of materials, training programmes and professional consultancy services. LAP is supported by Catholic Education South Australia. Hundreds of volunteers work with students in Catholic schools each week.

LAP programmes have now been established in more than 1000 schools throughout Australia and in a small, but growing number of international schools around the world. This development will continue into the 21st century.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In 1995, LAP was recognised internationally by the European Council of International Schools, based in the United Kingdom. A Fellowship in International Education enabled the Building Bridges with LAP video package to be developed and LAP presentations to be made at a number of major international conferences.

In 1999, the first international LAP conference was held at the Bavarian International School in Munich, Germany. The second was held in Zurich, Switzerland in 2002. Two international LAP Conferences have also been held in Adelaide South Australia.

The LAP programme has been presented at International Baccalaureate Organisation workshops in Adelaide, South Australia and in Bangkok, Thailand.