Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Assistant Principal - Range 2
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1485709
Monterey Secondary College is a vibrant Years 7 to 12 government secondary school located in Frankston North, proudly serving the communities of Karingal, Skye, Carrum Downs, Seaford, Frankston and Frankston North.
As a proud partner in the Frankston North Education Plan (FNEP), Monterey is committed to transforming lives and breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage. The FNEP is a long-term, place-based initiative developed in partnership with Monterey Secondary College, Mahogany Rise Primary School and Aldercourt Primary School. It supports students from birth through to further education and employment by strengthening education, health and wellbeing pathways. The plan focuses on improving student outcomes, increasing community engagement and building stronger connections between families, schools and support services.
Supported by a $26.2 million investment, the FNEP is a collaborative initiative involving the Department of Education, Frankston City Council and the Colman Foundation. Together, we are implementing a comprehensive birth-to-adulthood education model designed to create genuine, life-changing opportunities for local families.
Monterey is home to approximately 483 students and a dedicated team of around 130 staff. We are proud that approximately 12 percent of our students identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and a further 13 percent receive support through Disability Inclusion Profile funding. The College is strongly committed to inclusive education, ensuring every student, regardless of background or ability, has access to the adjustments, support and opportunities needed to thrive.
The College has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, highlighted in The Age newspaper in December 2021. Once considered a school facing significant challenges, Monterey is now recognised as a model of rapid improvement and educational excellence. The College is known for its calm and focused classrooms, state-of-the-art learning facilities, award-winning teachers and an unwavering commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. Positive education strategies are embedded across the school, supporting student wellbeing alongside academic success.
Monterey is widely recognised for its dynamic student engagement programs, offering meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as the Silvertop Sports Science Academy, STEM enrichment, music, leadership development and cultural celebrations, students are empowered to explore their interests and grow as individuals. A strong focus on wellbeing and connection ensures all students feel supported to thrive both personally and academically.
A structured and supportive transition program helps every student feel welcomed, whether they are joining from within the Frankston North Education Precinct or beyond. Individualised pathways and tailored support systems ensure the diverse learning needs of students are met, allowing each young person to progress at their own pace. Monterey is deeply committed to fostering lifelong learning, academic excellence and personal growth for every student.
Monterey is not only a school of local significance but also a recognised leader within the Victorian education system. As a leader in Trauma-Informed Positive Education, the College regularly welcomes educators from across the state seeking to learn from our innovative practices. Our staff contribute actively to system-wide improvement by sharing expertise and building professional capacity across the sector.
In collaboration with Berry Street and the University of Melbourne, Monterey has developed a trauma-informed, strengths-based educational philosophy that fosters safe, supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environments. With a strong focus on emotional regulation, resilience, relationship building and restorative practices, students are empowered to grow, lead and succeed both academically and personally.
Monterey is also a recognised leader in Vocational Education and Training (VET) across Victoria, offering industry-aligned programs that equip students with practical skills, nationally recognised certifications and real-world experience. Through robust partnerships with TAFEs, industry providers and local employers, students access a wide range of courses in sectors such as construction, health, community services, hospitality and sport. These programs support successful transitions into apprenticeships, employment and further education. Monterey's VET offerings also extend to students from outside our immediate community, reflecting our reputation for excellence in vocational education.
Staff retention at Monterey is exceptionally high, particularly notable in the context of the current teacher shortage. This is a testament to the school's strong culture, meaningful professional support and powerful sense of shared purpose. Staff experience a collaborative and collegiate environment, supported by structured induction, ongoing coaching and sustained mentoring. Early-career teachers, experienced educators and aspiring leaders are all given opportunities to grow and thrive within a high-expectation, high-support culture that prioritises continual professional development.
Monterey's strong outcomes are reflected not only in student achievement but also in feedback data. Results from the Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS), Parent Opinion Survey and Staff Opinion Survey consistently exceed state benchmarks, demonstrating high levels of satisfaction, engagement and trust across the school community.
If you are passionate about student success, committed to inclusive and transformative education, and eager to grow your professional capacity in a supportive and innovative environment, Monterey is the place for you.
If you are interested in learning more about Monterey's transformation and success and are considering joining our team, we warmly encourage you to book a tour by calling (03) 9781 7700.
For more information about Monterey Secondary College, please visit our website: www.monterey.vic.edu.au
Further reading about Monterey's success:
a) Educational leadership
i. Outstanding capacity for visionary and exemplary educational leadership of a school or college.
ii. Highly developed skills in leading and managing change including the leadership of others in the process of change.
b) Financial, managerial and administrative ability
i. Outstanding financial, organisational and resource management skills.
c) Planning, policy and program development and review
i. Exemplary values appropriate to the development of student learning with a demonstrated capacity to achieve high quality student outcomes.
ii. Demonstrated ability to implement Department policies to a high level.
iii. An understanding of, and a commitment to, the use of learning technologies to improve teaching and learning.
d) Leadership of staff and students
i. A highly developed capacity to motivate staff, develop their talents and build an effective team.
ii. A clear capacity to foster a learning environment that takes account of the individual needs of students and helps students to develop their special abilities and talents.
e) Interpersonal and communication skills
i. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual, small group and community contexts.
ii. Exemplary values pertaining to personal qualities of objectivity, sensitivity and integrity.
iii. An ability to work with parents and the community to develop a strong learning environment
The assistant principal reports directly to the principal.
Assistant principals have a primary responsibility for the management of significant areas or functions within the school to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. In exercising the responsibility, assistant principals will have the authority to make all significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the school's strategic plan, policies and budget. Assistant principals will contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making.
The management of significant school program or functional areas in schools involve assistant principals in the analysis of the needs of students and the translation of state educational policy and frameworks into appropriate education programs to meet the needs of all students.
Typically assistant principals will be responsible for the effective use of the teaching staff and program budget of a defined area of the school's operation and for the oversight and leadership of the educational programs provided utilising these resources.
Typically, assistant principals perform one or more of the following functions:
Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
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
The Assistant Principal - Trauma-Informed Positive Education will play a key leadership role in embedding trauma-informed practices across the school.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.