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This session shares the journey of Rosewood Downs Primary School as it moved from crisis to sustained improvement. It focuses on the practical, research-informed steps taken to build consistent expectations and strengthen both student behaviours and teacher expertise.
Participants will explore a clear framework for developing whole-school routines and high expectations that promote a calm, purposeful learning environment. The second half of the session highlights how a unified approach to teaching behaviour can create the conditions for deeper engagement in a knowledge-rich curriculum, with practical tools and strategies to support implementation in any school context.
It explores Dandenong West Primary School’s journey from a discovery-based model to one grounded in explicit instruction. We’ll unpack how cognitive science, instruction, and quality curriculum resources have been woven together to transform teacher practice, develop a shared professional language, and deliver stronger learning outcomes for every student.
Joshua Bourke 👨🏻🏫
Joshua Bourke is Principal of Dandenong West Primary School and holds a Master’s in Inclusive Education. His leadership centres on implementing the Science of Learning and Reading through Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and structured teaching.
Joshua is passionate about building teacher expertise, ensuring every child experiences both equity and excellence in learning.
Cassandra Flanagan 🌷
Cassandra Flanagan is the Assistant Principal at Rosewood Downs Primary School, where she has led SWPBS and PLC initiatives to strengthen evidence-based practice, reduce cognitive load, and create whole-school consistency that enables learning. She presented at the 2025 Government Schools Principal Conference on 'Embedding the Positive Classroom Management Strategies to Shift Whole School Behaviour'.
Formerly a secondary science and mathematics teacher, 7–VCE Science Curriculum Leader, and Learning Specialist at Officer Secondary College, Cassandra is passionate about building deep background knowledge and vocabulary through a knowledge-rich curriculum that equips students for lifelong success.
Jordan Warren 👨🏻🏫
Jordan Warren is in his third year as Principal at Rosewood Downs Primary School. Over this time Jordan has lead a significant period of change which has seen the school become a leader in evidence informed practice. Jordan has experience in the principal class in both primary and secondary bringing a unique Prep-12 perspective in curriculum design and implementation.
In 2025 Jordan was a runner up for the Australian Principal of the year award. Jordan has track record of high expectations and pushing academic excellence having lead the team at River Gum Primary school to winning the 2020 Victorian Education Excellence Award for Outstanding Provision for High Ability Students Primary and later guiding Officer Secondary College to a finalist position in the same award but for secondary in 2023.