At Berwick Primary School, our teaching is guided by the most up-to-date research and Department of Education priorities. From 2026, all core lessons in English and Mathematics will be designed and delivered using the Gradual Release of Responsibility model, in-line with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0). This structured approach ensures clarity, guided practice, and independent mastery, giving students the strongest possible foundation in literacy and numeracy.
The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) sets out how students learn best and how teachers can support them through consistent, evidence-based approaches. Alongside this, the Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0 provides updated pathways in English and Mathematics, giving students a clear and coherent progression of skills from Foundation through to Year 10.
By aligning our English and Mathematics programs with VTLM 2.0 and the Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0, Berwick Primary ensures teaching is:
This deliberate, research-informed approach provides our students with the strongest possible foundation in literacy and numeracy, setting them up for success at school and beyond.
For our families, this means that the way we teach English and Mathematics is purposeful, explicit, and aligned with statewide expectations. Students are supported to focus, build strong foundations, and practise skills in ways that help them retain knowledge and apply it with confidence.
At Berwick Primary, students engage in 10 hours of English each week, reflecting our belief that strong literacy skills are the foundation for success in every learning area.
Our literacy program addresses all six components critical to reading success:
From Year 2 to Year 6, students participate in structured novel studies that extend reading beyond decoding and fluency into deeper comprehension, vocabulary growth, and literary appreciation. These studies are carefully designed to align with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0: English (particularly the Literature and Literacy strands) and draw on Department of Education lesson plans, which support teachers to deliver consistent, high-quality practice across schools.
Through novel studies, our students learn not just how to read but how to think about, discuss, and respond to texts. This approach builds comprehension, strengthens vocabulary, and fosters empathy and curiosity — preparing students for success in literacy and in life.
This structured approach, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0: English, ensures our students develop the skills to read, write, and communicate with confidence, while also fostering a genuine love of literature and language.
All students at Berwick Primary School engage in a minimum of five hours of Mathematics each week. Our program aims to develop confident mathematicians who are fluent in foundational skills and able to apply their knowledge to increasingly complex problems.
From 2026, all Mathematics lessons will be designed and delivered using the Gradual Release of Responsibility model, guided by the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and supported by Department of Education lesson plans. This approach ensures a clear and consistent structure across lessons, supporting students to build, practise and apply their mathematical understanding over time.
The Gradual Release of Responsibility model, aligned with the Elements of Teaching in VTLM 2.0, provides a clear and consistent structure for all Mathematics lessons. This approach supports students to move from focused teaching to guided practice, and into independent application, building strong foundations in mathematical knowledge and skills over time.
Our approach is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0 and implemented using high quality teaching and learning resources such as the Department-designed lesson plans, which provide consistency across classrooms and are continually updated to reflect the latest educational research. The curriculum emphasises the four proficiencies:
Through this approach, our students not only master core mathematical skills but also develop confidence, persistence, and the ability to explain and justify their strategies. This balance of fluency, understanding, and reasoning ensures they are well-prepared for the demands of secondary school and beyond.
At Berwick Primary School, we want every child to develop strong skills and a lifelong love of learning. We use different approaches depending on the learning area, carefully choosing the method that helps students thrive.
In English and Mathematics, we focus on explicit teaching. Teachers provide clear, step-by-step instruction to build strong foundations, fluency, and confidence. This ensures that every child masters essential skills that can be applied across all areas of learning.
For Humanities, Science, the Arts, and the Capabilities, our teaching is guided by the internationally recognised Primary Years Programme (PYP), which aligns closely with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. Through our rich and carefully designed Units of Inquiry, students explore significant concepts and “big ideas” that bring multiple curriculum areas together. This inquiry-driven approach encourages children to ask questions, investigate, problem-solve, and think critically, while teachers scaffold and extend their learning with expert guidance.
The PYP framework strengthens the way we deliver the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 in Humanities and Science by ensuring that students not only develop the required knowledge and skills, but also understand how these areas connect to each other and to the real world. For example, a single unit might combine history and geography with scientific investigation, allowing students to meet curriculum expectations while engaging in meaningful, authentic learning experiences.
By balancing explicit teaching in core areas with inquiry-based learning across the broader curriculum, we ensure that students gain both the essential skills and the broader dispositions needed to thrive. Our mapped Units of Inquiry are a real strength of the school, bringing the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 to life and inspiring children to see themselves as curious, capable, and connected learners who can make a positive impact on the world around them.
Berwick Primary School is an authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme World School. The PYP provides a rich and engaging framework for teaching and learning, supporting students to become curious, reflective and active learners. The programme encourages students to think critically, ask questions and take action in their learning. At BPS, we balance inquiry learning with explicit teaching. Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy are developed through structured instruction in English and Mathematics, while the PYP approach is used across other learning areas to foster creativity, collaboration and deeper thinking.
Further information about the International Baccalaureate can be found on their website below.
International education - International Baccalaureate®
Spanish is one of the three most widely spoken and understood languages worldwide. It was first introduced at Berwick Primary School in 2012 and is taught to all students from Foundation to Year 6 in a weekly timetabled lesson with a specialist teacher.
Quality research, and educational experience, shows that a child’s ability to learn new skills can be increased by the process of learning a new language. In addition to this cognitive advantage, the language program at Berwick Primary School also provides students with a host of social and cultural benefits, as they learn not just the words spoken, but also about the lives of people and the places they live in around the world.
The greatest gift we can give a child is a love of reading. At Berwick Primary School, our Library supports this through a rich collection of books and resources for students and staff.
Our Library is a warm, welcoming space open from 8:30am and during recess and lunchtime each school day. Students visit to borrow and return books, read, play quiet games, draw or simply relax.
Classes attend regularly to engage with literature and develop research and information literacy skills. We aim to connect every child with books suited to their level and interests, helping to build lifelong reading habits. Students in Prep may borrow one book at a time for a one-week period, while students in Years 1 to 6 may borrow two books for a two-week period.
We also celebrate Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week each August, recognising the joy of reading and Australian children's literature.
Our Visual Arts program fosters creativity, confidence and skill development in every student. Learners are encouraged to explore a range of techniques and materials, think imaginatively and take creative risks to produce original and meaningful artwork.
Specialist Art teachers deliver weekly art sessions that are engaging and support students to develop their artistic skills while expressing their ideas and individuality.
A highlight of our calendar is the annual Berwick Art Show, where student artwork is proudly showcased to the local community.
At Berwick Primary school, every student develops their creativity, collaboration, movement and active listening skills through weekly lessons with Kodály-trained music specialists.
Expression through dance and drama is woven throughout the curriculum and comes alive in our spectacular annual productions. Hundreds of students each year choose to extend their learning in Berwick Primary School’s thriving choir and band programs. Our ensembles regularly take the stage at assemblies, concerts, community events, local aged care homes, inter-school music festivals and eisteddfods. The program is underpinned by strong community connections: our longstanding partnership with the Casey Concert Band drives the school’s brass training band program, and instrumental and vocal tuition are provided onsite by iRock Music Academy. The performing arts program at Berwick Primary School gives every student an array of authentic and rewarding performance experiences, and opportunities to meaningfully contribute to the wider community.
At Berwick Primary School, we use digital technologies in a thoughtful and balanced way to enrich learning while supporting student wellbeing.
Guided by the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, we ensure that technology enhances learning rather than replaces it, with students engaging in a mix of hands-on, collaborative and device-based experiences. When it supports specific learning goals, students use iPads and Chromebooks to create, collaborate and explore ideas, with our iPad programs providing exciting opportunities for creativity and teamwork. We also explicitly teach students how to be safe and responsible online through the Hacker’s Jack program, embedded within classroom learning. To build problem-solving and coding skills, students work with Dash and Sphero robots, using apps to program them to move, respond and interact, making learning both engaging and fun.
At Berwick Primary, every student enjoys a dynamic Physical Education program designed to build fitness, skills, teamwork, and a love of movement. Specialist PE teachers deliver engaging weekly lessons across all year levels, supported by excellent facilities and a wide range of equipment. Before-school, lunchtime, and after-school programs add even more opportunities to get active.
Years 3–6 take part in Athletics and Cross-Country events, with chances to progress to District-level competitions. Prep to Year 2 enjoy a fun annual athletics carnival.
Year 6 students can join summer and winter sports, including football, netball, soccer, volleyball, softball, cricket and handball. Other options include Fitness Club, Joggers' Club, Soccer Club and Aerobics.
Promotes independence and cooperation in an outside school environment.
