At Dromana Primary School (DPS), we operate as a Professional Learning Community (PLC). A Professional Learning Community is “an ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve.”

We maintain a strong and explicit focus on improving student learning outcomes by using a consistent, structured cycle of data-driven inquiry to inform classroom practice. Teacher teams are provided with dedicated time and support each week to collaboratively plan, implement and evaluate high-impact teaching and learning programs, ensuring teaching is responsive to student needs.

Explicit and Responsive Teaching

At DPS, we are committed to explicit and responsive teaching. We establish the conditions for learning so every child has the right to learn in a calm, orderly and predictable environment. Clear routines are in place to minimise disruption and maximise instructional time, allowing learning to remain the focus in every classroom.

We equip all students with strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. Students participate in:

• A minimum of 10 hours per week of English instruction

• A minimum of 5 hours per week of Mathematics instruction

Each term, students also engage in learning through a Major Topic, covering The Humanities (Geography, History, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business) and Science, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is prioritised across the school, with an explicit weekly teaching session in every classroom. Wellbeing is also intentionally woven throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Guaranteeing Effective Teaching in Every Classroom

Teaching for how students learn is central to our approach. Strong evidence exists about the processes that occur during learning, and teaching practices aligned with these processes are the most effective in improving outcomes for all students.

At DPS, we follow a whole-school instructional model that identifies the most effective and efficient teaching practices aligned with how students learn. Our instructional model is guided by the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, incorporating the key elements of learning and teaching. This model is used consistently across all subject areas, ensuring clarity, coherence, and high expectations in every classroom.