LAP
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Schools
that are interested in learning more about LAP or wish to
further develop their existing Learning Assistance Programme,
are encouraged to undertake professional development workshops
that are available for teaching staff, prospective volunteers
and the wider school community.
Sessions
may be conducted for individual schools. However, the 'Knowledge
in Your LAP' workshop can be hosted by one school, and other
nearby or interested schools invited to participate.
The
Presenter
Penny Penhall OAM
Penny
Penhall is the co-founder of the LAP programme. She was one
of the first parent volunteers to participate in the original
programme at a South Australian secondary school in 1976.
Penny has conducted hundreds of training and development programmes
for administrators, teaching staff and volunteers throughout
Australia and overseas.
Her
work in the LAP programme has received high recognition. In
1995 she was awarded the prestigious Advance Australia Award
and a European Council of International Schools Fellowship
in International Education to introduce the LAP programme
to the international education community.
In
June 1998, Penny received a Medal in the Order of Australia
in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for service to education.
Knowledge
in Your LAP
The
'Knowledge in Your LAP' workshop has been designed to introduce
the LAP programme to teaching staff, interested people and
prospective volunteers. The workshop is interactive and experiential,
caters for all learning styles and provides many opportunities
for sharing ideas, experiences and good practice. It is usually
conducted over a full day. However, these times can be negotiated
to suit the needs of individual school communities.
Objectives
By
the end of the workshop, all participants will have an understanding
of the principles, philosophy and practice of the LAP programme.The
conference will focus on the key role of the coordinator or
management team and strategies for successful implementation
will be discussed. People who are interested in becoming LAP
volunteers will also gain a deeper insight into their responsibilities
and role in the school and be motivated to give their time,
care and talents to students in the programme.
Key
Themes
PRINCIPLES
OF THE LAP PROGRAMME
LAP
is always one-to-one
Is about relationships
Develops confidence and self-esteem
Takes a creative approach to learning
Promotes parent and community participation in the school
Discover
how these principles form the foundation of a successful LAP
programme.
ORGANISATION
AND MANAGEMENT
A
Coordinator or Management Team is responsible for the implementation
of the programme in a school. There is a variety of administration
and organisational tasks that need to be done to ensure the
success of the programme.
Teaching
staff, Education Support Officers and Volunkers make great
teams.
HOW
DO STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAMME?
Any
student who would benefit from one-to-one time with a caring
volunteer can be part of LAP. Students of all ages enjoy the
opportunity to spend time with a special friend and receive
encouragement and support with their learning.
The
workshop will give many examples of successful student-volunteer
partnerships.
WHO
ME - BE A VOLUNTEER?
Volunteers
come from all walks of life. Parents, grandparents, old scholars,
senior students and interested community members are the heart
of LAP.
Harness
the untapped resources in your school community and experience
the benefits this involvement will bring.
MATCHING
STUDENTS WITH VOLUNTEERS
A
key to successful partnerships is careful matching of students
with volunteers. Many aspects need to be considered, including
personalities, time availability, needs of students and skills
and areas of expertise of volunteers.
Finding
just the right match is a major part of any LAP programme.
ROLE
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers
have a wonderful opportunity to participate in a LAP programme.
They also have a responsibility to students and the school.
The 6 'Cs' summarise the important role of volunteers.
Come
and discover what it feels like to work in a one-to-one learning
environment.
HOW
CAN I INVOLVE MY 'CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE' AND OTHER STUDENTS
IN THE LAP PROGRAMME?
Year
12 students work in the same way as adult volunteers
and give one of their free study periods each week to work
with their younger student.
Senior
students make a vital contnbution to LAP.
Other Professional Services
STAFF MEETING
It is not expected that all
members of the teaching staff attend a full day training session.
However, a staff meeting can be scheduled to introduce the
programme to either the whole staff or groups of interested
teachers. This session usually takes the form of a 30 minute
presentation followed by questions or discussion.
PLANNING SESSION WITH COORDINATOR/MANAGEMENT
TEAM
This valuable planning time
can be arranged to provide detailed and specific information
about the management of a programme in a particular school.
A series of organisational forms will be provided.
OTHER WORKSHOPS
Additional workshops, focussing
upon coordination of the programme, developing creative individual
sessions for students, building relationships and self esteem
can be planned in consultation with individual schools.
The
LAP Association offers a variety of professional development
sessions which are advertised throughout the year.
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