Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1498151
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.
School Profile
Mossgiel Park, in the heart of Endeavour Hills, is an innovative and exciting place to learn. The school is committed to quality in education and providing the best educational opportunities for all students.
In partnership with parents, teachers and students in the school community, MPPS aims to provide a happy, safe and supportive learning environment that emphasises success, challenge and enjoyment in learning and prepares students for life in the 21st century. A large part of this preparation for life involves the cultivation and development of learning dispositions and skills known as the 6Cs (six Competencies). These competencies, Character Education, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Citizenship and Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, form the foundation for teaching and learning at MPPS.
Facilities:
Mossgiel Park Primary School was designed around an administrative core. Fourteen permanent classrooms were added in 1999 and a gymnasium was completed in 2000. Three relocatable classrooms and a science room, a well-resourced Library and ICT Centre and a purpose-built Art room enable us to offer a wide range of programs. The facilities were upgraded in 2010 when a new construction project- multi-purpose centre providing a full size gymnasium, music centre, kitchen and meeting room was completed. Blessed with extensive grounds, the children enjoy three separate playgrounds purpose designed for their age, a soccer pitch, softball diamond, football oval and cricket nets. The large asphalted areas include two basketball/netball courts, ball courts, and play areas. The children have also worked with community groups to develop the environmental Frog Pond area, the ¿Japanese Garden¿ reflective learning space,.
These, along with our existing facilities, enhance the high quality of education that continues to be offered within the walls of our school.
Demographics:
Our current Enrolment of 269 students comprises more than 35 different ethnic groups.
With an SFO density of 0.62 MPPS is a disadvantaged school community, with a substantial proportion of families eligible for government assistance, a majority from Non English Speaking Backgrounds, and a significant proportion with deprived language backgrounds despite being born in Australia.
We have a very experienced teaching workforce and an exceptional team of Education Support Staff.
Educational Program:
The Victorian curriculum has been effectively implemented through integrated units of work developed by teams of teachers in sub schools. Assessment for and of learning is embedded in our units of work and teachers work with students to devise authentic forms of assessment and rubrics. There is a strong school-wide commitment to literacy, numeracy and science. LOTE (Indonesian) is taught from Foundation to Year 6 and all students enjoy specialist teaching in Visual Arts, Music, Health &Physical Education, Digital Learning and Podcast Studio.
Students and teachers are working to extend their understanding of new and exciting technologies while becoming responsible digital citizens and the Environmental programs and our robust social and wellbeing programs, help connect children to our school and to the wider community.
We value the MiniLit and provide EAL for students as they master English.
Health and Wellbeing:
At MPPS we promote the uniqueness of one¿s identity and self-worth as a member of the community. Students share a strong sense of school spirit and are committed to reflect our school motto `Strive to Succeed¿ in all they do.
As a school community we actively promote the safety and wellbeing of students, with all staff committed to providing a child safe environment, recognising and inclusive of the needs of all children, particularly students who are vulnerable due to age, family circumstances, abilities, or indigenous, cultural or linguistic background. In accordance with our legal obligations, including child safe standards, we are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment. Further information regarding our school¿s Child Safe Policy and Staff Code of Conduct is available on the Mossgiel Park Primary School Website.
Our Kinder-Prep transition program ensures a happy start for our new beginners, and close links have been developed with surrounding secondary colleges to support students as they embark on their secondary education.
We encourage children to share and help one another through co-operative learning, cross-age activities, buddy reading and peer tutoring across the curriculum. Students are involved in decisions and take substantial responsibility for their own learning.
A sense of empathy for others is developed through involvement in various social service activities. A `House¿ system encourages a sense of belonging for our students, and enables children to be included in school decision-making.
The development of independence is encouraged through involvement in a carefully graded excursions and outdoor education program that offers students the opportunity to visit Sovereign Hill (attending the historic school), and enjoy adventure camps, in addition to participating in an extensive excursions program.
We are committed to providing a playground that is a safe and happy place to play.
Our student engagement program supports the development of friendships and co-operative play and provides positive strategies for making friends and dealing with bullying. The program is focused on teaching children the skills of co-operation, friendship and problem solving. It includes the (SEL) Social & Emotional Learning through the Respectful Relationship program, Smiling Minds and Student Voice, partnering with Quaglia Institute. The discipline policy is well understood by all children and staff members and positive behaviors are highlighted and rewarded.
The school also prides itself on the student achievement in Sport. We believe that the development of sporting and physical education skills encourage self-esteem and healthy living. Our physical education programs include P.M.P. (Perceptual Motor Program), athletics, intensive swimming and a full range of sports and games.
Staff commitment to extra-curricular programs is also recognised and highly valued by the school.
We are committed to providing a child-centered curriculum that emphasises success, challenge and enjoyment in learning. We believe that learning technologies can enhance learning in every key learning area and are committed to integrating them, where appropriate, into our classroom programs.
Mossgiel Park is very proud of its achievements and excited about all that the future has to offer.