Department of Education - Victoria

Loch Primary School is a small, rural school set in the beautiful rolling hills of South Gippsland with enrolment of 140 students. The school has 1 Principal Class, 1 Learning Specialist, 9 Teachers and 12 Educational Support Staff.

The school motto 'Dream Achieve Succeed: Every child known, safe, inspired, challenged and empowered', is reinforced with the values of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Resilient, Be Creative, Be Curious, Be Your Best.   We are a `Play is the Way' school and this behaviour education philosophy underpins our social emotional learning at all times. All students participate in Respectful Relationships lessons and are given a `buddy' from a different year level to further foster positive relationships within the school.

Loch Primary School places great importance on the use of high-quality evidence based approaches to all teaching and learning and carefully consider cognitive load theory when designing and delivering lessons. Teachers utilise Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) teaching methods in their teaching of literacy and numeracy. All literacy teaching follows a highly structured and sequential scope and sequence, beginning with simple phonemes and ending with high level morphology. Teachers consistently review previously taught material through a daily review that gives students the opportunity to practice and refine their literacy and numeracy skills and understandings. Students participate in literature studies as well as knowledge rich units with a strong focus on building background knowledge.

The well resourced specialist programs of Physical Education, Science, Visual Art, LOTE, Performing Arts are provided for all students each week and these specialist teachers provide a range of opportunities for students to use their new skills in different contexts. All of our students participate in an annual Arts Showcase.

All students participate in our camping program and enjoy experiences of a camp to Wilson's Promontory, a three day urban visit, adventure camps and an overnight junior school sleepover. Students enjoy success in swimming, athletics, cross country and interschool sports. Students are encouraged to participate in individual and team sports and to learn that success comes from doing your very best.

Our school has a long tradition of successfully preparing students for secondary school and future employment. This includes the development of excellent leadership skills through Peer Mediation training and Student Leadership opportunities.

We encourage parental involvement in the school and we believe that an effective school community is built on strong and productive relationships with families. Students, families and staff have the opportunity to attend three-way conferences three times a year to better understand student learning needs and celebrate learning that has occurred during the year.

Students participate in various school activities including an annual Easter Hat parade, Footy Day and other theme days. Grade six students leave a legacy by creating a `Grade Six Project'.  Students make this contribution to the grounds at Loch Primary School as a way to thank the school community.

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.