Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Classroom teacher
Location: Loddon Mallee - Macedon Ranges
Reference: 1549215
The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System highlighted that primary schools provide opportunities to identify children with mental health and wellbeing challenges, who can then be referred to treatment, care and support.
The Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative is being expanded to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Scaling up across the state from 2023, by 2026 every primary school will be able to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to wellbeing.
The Department of Education has been piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in Victorian schools since 2020 in partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Evaluation of this pilot initiative has shown that 95 per cent of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders consider the Mental Health in Primary Schools model has improved their school's capacity to support students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
Participating schools receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community.
The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:
The role provides a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in mental health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Learning Communities Training is developed and facilitated by the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Operating in collaboration with their school, leadership and wellbeing team where relevant, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will:
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
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 (see Workplace 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 [email protected]
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.
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
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
Location profile
Mount Macedon Primary School is a small community school which offers excellent opportunities for all students in a nurturing environment. Mount Macedon Primary School has approximately 120 students. The school is set in a beautiful environment and offers a range of well-developed facilities, including a school hall and STEAM room.
Our pedagogical framework is based on The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and inquiry learning. Professional development will be provided in this area.
The school maintains a high academic standard due to policies and programs that ensure a current and relevant curriculum is professionally delivered in a high quality, whole school approach to teaching and learning. The school continues to maintain strong NAPLAN results and staff work to ensure that they understand the needs of every student. The professional learning of all staff is a high priority at Mount Macedon and staff share willingly their expertise and knowledge, enhancing programs and creating an environment where all our students are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Wellbeing and Inclusion are a core focus at the school, and we work to ensure that the social emotional needs of all students are supported, both individually and in our daily practices.
MMPS has a positive education model, where all interactions, purpose, engagement, and relationships are approached with a positive mindset. At Mount Macedon we acknowledge the benefits to students when parents and teachers work together. Parents are encouraged to participate as much as they can in their children¿s educational development in either a formal or informal way.
We offer students a wide range specialist programs that include French, PE, Music, Art, Science, and Digital Technology. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is successfully integrated into the learning process at all year levels. A key feature of the school is the annual school production in which every student participates.
Mount Macedon Primary School is a happy, dynamic place to work.