About Us

The Daugava School is a Latvian language community school for children from preschool to year eight. It is a branch of the Melbourne Latvian Society Inc. (Melburnas Latviešu Biedrība (MLB)).

The school was established in 1950 by Latvian refugees who arrived In Melbourne from Europe after the Second World War, when the continuing occupation by the Soviet Union made return to Latvia unrealistic.  The school is housed in two adjacent premises in Elwood, overseen by the Melbourne Latvian Cooperative Society.  Latvian House was developed by the whole Latvian community and the school building was purchased with funds raised by the primary and secondary school communities. The school is governed, managed and staffed by volunteers.

The school is an integral part of the local Latvian community.  The school calendar includes celebrations of cultural and historical significance, which are open to the whole community.  The School enjoys a close relationship with other Melbourne Latvian community groups and students are often invited to perform at functions organised by other Latvian community groups. Through these public events the school is a visible and active part of the local Latvian community.

There has always been a range of language abilities among our students. The School recognises the importance of adapting its activities and curriculum to support varying levels of Latvian language proficiency. 

The school has links with a global network of Latvian schools and has access to educational resources and professional development opportunities that are offered to schools by both the Latvian government and the World Federation of Free Latvians.

While embracing the need to meet the future needs of the Latvian school community, we cherish and wish to retain those things that have made the Daugava School unique for the past 60+ years.

The Daugava School is a vibrant and positive community of people with a common purpose. We attract Latvian speaking families with a wide range of language abilities from all over Melbourne and surrounding areas. Some of our students have lived most of their lives in Latvia and speak Latvian as their primary language, whilst others have one Latvian speaking parent and may not have a great deal of confidence with the Latvian language. Beginner students are always welcome and are integrated into classes appropriate for their language ability being supported as they grow in their competency and understanding of the Latvian language and culture.

Families are an important part of our school community and parents are encouraged to be involved in the running of the school through serving on School Council, organisation of school events/activities as well as helping out with the tuckshop and yard duty.  Our parents have the opportunity to communicate regularly with teaching staff and work together as a team to encourage the development of Latvian language skills and cultural understanding in their children.

The Daugava School offers Latvian language classes in nine year levels (Prep and Grades 1-8). Some of our classes are composite classes where both year levels are catered for as required. Each Latvian class has a dedicated language teacher and may also have an assistant. The school provides instruction in Latvian songs and singing, folk dancing and folklore to all year levels. Our constantly growing library offers an opportunity to borrow books, magazines and DVDs on a weekly basis to help support Latvian language development at home. Instruction in Latvian history and geography is provided to students in years 5-8. Each of these curriculum areas has its own specialist teachers.

All lessons are conducted in Latvian. The Daugava School is managed and staffed by volunteers. Teachers are members of the Latvian community either Australian born or more lately Latvian born recent immigrants. The school endeavours to recruit volunteers with teaching qualifications where possible. 

The school operates each Saturday except during the Victorian school holidays, out of premises in Elwood which the Latvian community purchased specifically for this purpose.

Purpose of Daugava school

The purpose of Daugava school is to provide educational opportunities for children so that they may:

• Develop or improve their written and oral Latvian language proficiency;

• Learn about their Latvian heritage including Latvian history, geography, culture and folklore; and

• Develop their sense of Latvian identity and belonging in a global Latvian community and a sense of pride and love for Latvian language and culture.

School Values

The Daugava School values:

• A positive, challenging, engaging, relevant, contemporary and stimulating learning environment;

• Student engagement in learning;

• The recognition of both effort and achievement;

• The provision of a safe, secure and caring environment;

• Family involvement in school life;

• Openness, acceptance and inclusiveness;

• Commitment to the school community; and

• Strong links with the wider Latvian community.

Our Priorities

The Daugava School priorities are as follows:

• To ensure the curriculum meets the varied language needs of current students and effectively facilitates Latvian language acquisition;

• To ensure teaching staff continue to be effectively supported in their volunteer roles and have access to appropriate resources;

• To ensure the learning environment is stimulating and facilitates interpersonal discussions and play thereby improving student social inclusion and Latvian language skills;

• To ensure strong partnerships between teaching staff and parents in order to enhance students’ Latvian language development;

• To position the school in order to meet the needs of future students;

• To ensure the sustainability of the school; and

• To ensure that relevant school policies and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed for operational requirements.

The School Council are responsible for developing and implementing a set of annual projects/ initiatives.   

The Daugava School is managed as follows:

• A body of elected members of the school community – referred to as the School Council - has ultimate responsibility for all matters related to the property and activities of the School. 

• The Principal of Daugava School is the principal officer with which the School Council deals in relation to the day to day management and operations of the School (as outlined in para. 32.2.13 of the Rules of MLS Inc).  The Principal is appointed by, and reports to, the School Council. The role of the Principal is to provide leadership to the school community.  Together with the School Council, the Principal works to ensure the smooth operation of the day to day management and operation of the school.  The Principal actively supports the School Council in the development and implementation of school policies, procedures and budgets.

• There is a volunteer teaching staff that supports the teaching responsibilities of the school. This includes being a class or specialist teacher, preparing lessons and teaching, liaising with parents, supporting the Principal including preparing children for school functions.

• A Child Safety Officer who provides advice on all policies and procedures that relate to child safety in accordance with the Victorian Child Safe Standards (refer to Child Safety page for further information).