Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference: 1535927
SC1 Demonstrated expertise in leading whole-school improvement through the identification and resolution of complex challenges. Demonstrated ability to establish clear links between strategic priorities, the School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan. Demonstrated capacity to apply research-informed change management theories and practices to effectively lead and embed sustainable improvement.
SC2 Demonstrated exemplary ability to lead and model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC3 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC4 Demonstrated exemplary ability to lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Demonstrated capacity to use evidence, data and collaborative practices to identify student needs, implement targeted interventions and build staff capability to improve student outcomes.
SC5 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy, numeracy and wellbeing skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.
Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.
In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to:
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.
Karoo Primary School, established in 1992, is located in Rowville. In 2025 our enrolment is 415, with 19 classrooms and a number of specialist learning spaces. Our staffing structure includes full-time and part-time teaching staff, ES support and administration staff. Our 2025 staff consist of one Principal and two Assistant Principals (Teaching/ Learning and Wellbeing/Inclusion). We have three Learning Specialists; the focus of their work is Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing.
Classroom programs are designed to support individual needs and are enriched by our specialist programs which include Physical Education, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, LOTE (Mandarin) and Science. In 2023 we also introduced Media and Technologies as a new specialist subject delivered to Foundation to Year 6. Wellbeing interventions (Anxiety and Worry / Social Skills / Growth mindset / Grief and Loss) and literacy intervention (LEAP ¿Literacy Enrichment Assistance Program) are also implemented at the school which support the Structured literacy approach we have embedded from Foundation based on the Science of Reading. Identified students participate in the High Ability Program, facilitated by a Learning Specialist. Our students are also supported by professional and dedicated staff who encourage and provide opportunities for all students to achieve their personal excellence.
Vision
Karoo¿s vision is to provide high quality teaching, enhanced by PLC collaboration to ensure all students achieve their potential and to be the best they can be.
We collectively work together to improve teaching and learning by:
Striving to adopt consistent teaching protocols to enhance positive student behaviour, engagement and learning.
Ensuring all learning tasks are purposeful, at point of need, differentiated and challenging.
Supporting staff to participate in professional learning and development, to reflect on their professional practice, to encourage and enhance collegiate support.
Using assessment tools and data to monitor student achievement, to plan future learning and to inform teaching through embedded Professional Learning Communities.
Student voice empowers our students and provides them with the opportunity to give feedback to each other and their teachers. Student agency is focused on giving students responsibility and ownership of their learning.
Values
Karoo Primary School conducted extensive collaboration with the community and developed our values - Kindness, Personal Excellence and Tenacity.
Karoo staff use an Instructional Model to provide high level teaching practices that incorporate HITS. A key focus of our teaching and learning is the effective use of Learning Walks and Talks across all year levels and specialist programs. The past few years have had a Writing AIP focus to provide Professional Learning to improve our teaching instruction for Writing through using the 6+1 Writing Traits. The last few years we have a Reading AIP focus, supporting structured literacy practices across the school. The 2025 focus will move towards Mathematics and Wellbeing.
Our current Professional Learning teams are English, Mathematics and Wellbeing. The Respectful Relationships Program supports our whole school Wellbeing Program (Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships). We have embedded Restorative Practices across the school through our partnership with Real Schools. Strong student voice has resulted in a wellbeing dog (Archie) being part of our Karoo community. To support and continue to enhance wellbeing at Karoo SWPBS was introduced in 2024.
High quality specialist programs enhance and support students to explore their interests and talents. Our students participate in weekly Physical Education, Performing and Visual Arts lessons. Our year 3-6 students participate in science lessons with a designated teacher. All students participate in Chinese (Mandarin) and the specialist subject of Media and Technologies for all students across the school.
Karoo fosters both sporting and arts programs by offering opportunities for students to represent the school in district and regional sports competitions. Student participation in the school choir, instrumental music lessons and `State Schools Spectacular¿ are well supported and enjoyed by our students.
Our outdoor education program is available for students in Years 3 to Year 6. Adventure camps are the focus for students in Years 3, 4 and 6. Our Year 5 students participate in an urban camp in the City of Melbourne. Our staff compliment learning programs by organising a range of incursions and excursions, these provide insightful experiences for the students.
We have a supportive School Council who actively participate in a range of sub committees. School Council is responsible for the effective organisation and daily running of our Outside School Hours Care Program. School Council, Karoo Parents Association and Karoo Class Reps Programs positively contribute to the establishment of developing a positive partnership between home and school. There is a very strong sense of community at Karoo which is clearly evident in whole school events and fundraising activities. We value the home/school partnership and use a range of communication tools to keep parents informed. Compass is used as a communication platform to connect with our school community.
Student leadership is strong at Karoo; we have appointed Year 6 captains who undertake a range of responsibilities throughout the school. The school and student voice captains assist with the running of the fortnightly assemblies. Other captains assist in the Physical Education, The Arts, Library, Mandarin and Science and Wellbeing programs. Year 6 Captains participate in student leadership lessons across the year with a dedicated teacher supporting the development of their leadership skills.
To further support students to build leadership skills prior to Year 6, we commence leadership development with our younger students. The PLAY Leaders Program provides opportunities for appointed students in Year 5 to undergo training in leadership skills to organise and facilitate play activities for students, with a focus on creating a positive environment for our students.
Karoo Primary School is set amongst inviting and attractive facilities. Our students have a range of places for outdoor play including 3 playgrounds, sandpit for the younger students, a designated prep play area, grass playing areas, active and passive areas, 2 basketball courts and a turf athletics track which was upgraded in 2024, as well as a new Futsal court. Our well-maintained learning spaces also include a gymnasium, multi-use space, art room, music room and science room. A well-resourced library is a feature of our school; students at Karoo enjoy opportunities to visit the library at lunchtimes and during their weekly library lesson.