Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 2
Occupation: Administration
Location: Loddon Mallee - Mount Alexander
Reference: 1481907
Chewton Primary School is at the heart of the local Chewton community, 5 km from Castlemaine. In 2020 we celebrated our 150th year of learning. Our recently renovated heritage building and stunning bush setting make our school both a welcoming and unique learning environment.
At Chewton Primary School, our students are curious, confident, grounded and connected locally and globally, as champions of positive change in the world. Our students are critical and creative thinkers and learners. Our students have a strong sense of self and are responsible, resilient and independent. We care for, celebrate and value everyone in our community and foster a strong sense of belonging for all.
Our school values are Community, Kindness and Respect. We nurture the whole child: social and emotional wellbeing is crucial for learning, so it sits at the centre of our work. We provide a safe, nurturing environment where students are both challenged and supported to be their best. We currently have an enrolment of 50 students.
We are situated on Djaara Country and acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung community as traditional custodians of the land. We recognise elders, past, present and emerging. We have a strong emphasis on Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum and building links with the local Dja Dja Wurrung community.
We are a 5-star Resource Smart School: sustainability is a key focus for our whole school, with each class taking a leadership role for Waste, Energy, Water and Biodiversity. We have chooks, a vegie garden, worm farm and outdoor kitchen. Our sustainability teacher drives this program, running Sustainability classes each week at the school. We recycle paper, and hard plastics, batteries, and have a zero- waste target.
Our class sizes are small, giving each student a greater opportunity for individual support. Our school is small enough that every child is able to forge positive relationships across a wide variety of age groups, and whole school activities are possible. All staff members are invested in the wellbeing and learning of every student. We value the strengths each child brings with them to the learning environment and celebrate neurodiversity.
We come together with other small schools for activity days, as well as participating in a combined camps program. We have a close relationship with larger neighbouring schools in the Mount Alexander Shire, with students coming together for sport throughout the year as well as participation in artistic and cultural events.
We believe that fostering a positive attitude and appreciation of sustainable environmental practice is vital to the development of our students. Parents, carers and the broader community are integral to all aspects of learning at our school and we are renowned for our strong community connections.
We strive to make our school grounds inviting. They have many facets to explore: a music garden, interpretative play space, outdoor stage, cubby building area, oval, playground equipment, a range of quiet spaces and a wood-fired oven. We make use of the bush behind the school for learning activities, exploring the bush and regular family cook ups.
The teaching and learning model
Chewton Primary provides high quality literacy and numeracy learning. We believe in students having a strong voice and agency in their learning through goal setting, feedback and learning through their areas of interest and passion. Both our indoor and outdoor areas are used as learning spaces.
Chewton Primary has an evidence based instructional model for planning and teaching in all areas of the curriculum, which is being embedded across the school. There is a focus on embedding the Workshop lesson structure for literacy and numeracy. We have a sequential curriculum aligned with the Victorian Curriculum.
Staff use a PLC (Professional Learning Community) framework to inform collaborative planning for differentiated teaching in literacy and numeracy, with an emphasis on using high impact teaching strategies to improve student outcomes.
The curriculum and programs
Our curriculum planning incorporates ethical, intercultural and personal capabilities. We take great pride in our ability to provide individualised learning programs, which cater specifically for the needs of each student. We provide Literacy and Numeracy support through differentiated learning and ensure that Individual Education Plans are in place. Staff work closely with parents and collaborate with each other to provide modified curriculum to support neurodiverse students.
We provide Art, STEM, Sustainability and LOTE (Auslan) as our specialist classes. Individual music tutors also teach guitar, piano and drums. There is 1-1 technology for all students. We are a lead school for Respectful Relationships, incorporate Berry St trauma informed practice and Kimochis into our teaching and have a Mental Health and Wellbeing leader who supports students and staff. We use School Wide Positive Behaviours Supports to teach expected behaviours and create a positive learning environment for all.
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.
[Attendance requirement for this position]
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:
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, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
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
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