In numeracy at DWPS, we challenge all students to build and apply understanding across different contexts.

At Dandenong West our mathematics learning gives students the opportunity to learn through using open ended mathematical tasks, opportunities to problem solve, develop their own number sense and talk about our ideas, reasoning and learning.

You will see students working in groups and individually with teacher support to help further develop key mathematical concepts. They practice these skills and strategies by using maths equipment, ICT, maths games and investigations. 

We encourage our students to have a growth mindset towards learning, building their capacity to persist, challenge, question and explain through all areas of mathematics.

Our students have at least five hours of mathematics learning per week in the classroom, with our teachers collecting, analysing and using data to plan for the next steps in our students’ journey as learners of maths each week.

The mathematics curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum. It is organised around three content strands and four proficiency strands. The content strands, which describe what students will be learning are Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability.  The proficiency strands, which describe how content is explored are through Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, and Reasoning. Our teachers have participated in numerous hours of professional learning to upskill their own teaching and learning to improve all students’ outcomes in mathematics.  

The Writing program at Dandenong West Primary School has as its focus the development of storytellers. A great storyteller has something to say and cares about their story. The story has purpose, whether it be to express an idea, inform, entertain or communicate a message. The storyteller considers their audience and experiments with ways to connect with the audience to show listeners/viewers are valued. 

We encourage students to publish and showcase their writing in different ways, incorporating the Arts, design and digital technologies.

The reading program at Dandenong West Primary School uses a gradual release model. We model reading strategies to students, collaborate with and support students to develop confidence in using them independently. We also use guided reading groups to set goals and target student learning needs.

We create project based learning units where we are able to integrate literacy through the use of mentor texts and other supporting material to be used in our reading and writing programs.