Performance Landings
I'd always interpreted performance to mean the very shortest that the aircraft could be landed, ie, a short field landing. I'm sure this is how most Australian instructors would.
The contentious area of the short field landing is in how it's done.
Submarine approaches, very flat, with power on, nose up and stall warning blaring, are, unfortunately some instructors' idea of short field. In theory, if you use the threshold as the aiming point, fly 1.3 Vsf down through 50ft, power off and full flap, then flare and hold off to stall - this will be the shortest distance.
However, in real life, there are always obstacles on approach,or the undershoot is rough 'as', or there's turbulent air below the 'top-of-trees' line - so one needs some power on for safety. But that doesn't mean >Vsf on the ASI. That couple hundred RPM allows for better command of rudder and elevator, and, very importantly, prevents engine 'falter' if you really need power in a hurry near the ground.
The real skill in the performance of short field landings is to do a steep approach over obstacles, in a safe configuration and speed, yet touchdown short at near stall. It's a skill that needs a bit more training into PPL's intending to fly in and out of paddocks and short strips in OZ.
Ag pilots, flying piston tailwheel types, use the 'Boeing' approach of holding an 'angle' down to a predetermined touchdown point, yet flying at a speed definitely not with the stall sounding, yet < 1.3Vsf. From this approach, a very abbreviated flare plants the mains on the strip, and you have the crosswind beaten + can see where the rough bits are + can brake carefully as there is weight on the wheels.
As a last resort, the approach can be steepened by a little 'forward slip' applied until you pass the top-of-trees line. Of course, if you fly a turbine, the beta approach technique simplifies the short field approach unbelievably.
Anyway, all the above notwithstanding, in my humble opinion, a performance landing means a short field landing - certainly in Oz.