Teaching & Learning
What is a Professional Practice Day?
Whittlesea Primary School conducted our Professional Practice Day this week on Tuesday, 9th June. This day is a designated student-free day within the school calendar in which teachers engage in unstructured professional learning and important work to strengthen teaching practice and improve student outcomes.
In the context of the Victorian Department of Education, these days are embedded in a whole-school approach to continuous improvement and are aligned with system priorities, school strategic plans, and the ongoing development of high-impact teaching practices.
Components of a Professional Practice Day could include:
Professional learning: Participation in evidence-based training, workshops, or expert-led sessions focused on curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and student wellbeing
Curriculum planning and refinement: Collaborative design and sequencing of lessons to ensure alignment with the Victorian Curriculum and consistency across teams
Data analysis: Examination of student achievement data to identify trends, monitor progress, and inform targeted teaching strategies
Collaborative practice: Engagement in team planning, moderation of student work, and peer observation processes to build collective efficacy and consistency of judgement
School improvement work: Progressing priorities outlined in the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and School Strategic Plan (SSP)
Reflection and evaluation: Reviewing the impact of teaching practices and identifying next steps for improvement, including refining assessment and reporting practices
Purpose and impact: Professional Practice Days play a critical role in building teacher capacity, strengthening instructional practice, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality learning experience for all students. By providing dedicated time for research, reflection, and administrative tasks, these days support schools in enacting sustained improvement and responding effectively to students' learning needs.
In essence, while students are not in attendance, these days are a key investment in improving the quality and effectiveness of teaching.