Teacher Aide

Department of Education Victoria – Strathmerton VIC

Strathmerton Primary School is located in the rural township of Strathmerton, approximately 249 kilometres north of Melbourne and 56 kilometres north of Shepparton. The school currently has an enrolment of 51 students drawn from the local community and surrounding areas, including Yarroweyah and Bearii. At Strathmerton Primary School, we firmly believe that every child has the right to access a high-quality education. Our vision is to provide outstanding teaching and learning experiences that equip students to become confident, engaged and responsible members of both local and global communities. We recognise that students achieve their best when they feel happy, healthy and safe, and when they are supported by a positive and inclusive school culture.

Our mission is to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing 21st century, where creativity, collaboration, global awareness and adaptability are essential skills. We strive to deliver a contemporary and engaging curriculum within a purposeful learning environment. Guided by our School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, our focus is to improve literacy, numeracy and wellbeing outcomes for all students. We promote a whole-school approach to positive behaviour, centred on our core values of Support Each Other, Try Your Best, Act Safely and Respect (the Strathy STARS). These values guide expectations for student conduct in classrooms, playgrounds and all learning settings.

The school grounds are expansive and well resourced, offering a variety of play spaces including a large oval, two synthetic courts and two playgrounds. The classrooms consist of five refurbished learning spaces, an Art Room, a Wellbeing Room and a modern library. The school operates four composite grades. Our staffing profile includes a Principal, four full-time teachers, two part-time teachers, a part-time office manager and two Education Support staff. Specialist programs are delivered in Art, Library, Physical Education, Mental Health and Auslan, alongside additional sporting opportunities funded through the Sporting Schools program.

The schools socio-economic profile is classified in the high range, based on a Student Family Occupation and Education (SFOE) index of 0.5326. As a result, Equity funding is strategically allocated to provide targeted support for students with additional needs. This includes the Tutor Learning Initiative in literacy and numeracy, speech therapy services, and wellbeing support, ensuring all students are supported to thrive.

Selection Criteria

• SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.
• SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
• SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
• SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
• SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
• SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Role

An education support classAttendance requirement for this position is 9am-1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialisedstudent/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

Responsibilities

• Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
• Supports communication between teachers and parents
• Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
• Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
• Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
• Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
• Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
• Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
• Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
• Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via*******@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Conditions of Employment

This vacancy is specifically linked to Student Support Funding and is ongoing. If the funding reduces or ceases during the first seven years of employment, employment may cease subject to the provision of at least 12 weeks’ notice.

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