Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Learning specialist
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1501516
Wayi School is a Government P-12 specialist school in Craigieburn providing educational programs for students with disability and high needs who have mild to profound intellectual disability.
Wayi School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school, and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.
'Wayi' is a Woi-wurrung word of the Wurundjeri people meaning `us' - which represents the vision for our school perfectly.
We plan to work together, in partnership, supporting our students as a team. We know that our students will benefit from the efforts, expertise, and commitment from all of 'US' - including family, educators, and community.
The Wayi School vision is to empower and inspire every member of our learning community. We are committed to creating innovative learning environments that nurture and develop all students through an ability and strength-based approach.
Through collaborative partnerships we provide learning that is individualised and holistic to ensure our students become valued and contributing members of their community.
We believe in empowering our staff to work autonomously in a collaborative and supportive team environment that encourages personal growth and development.
Wayi School's core values include Voice, Choice and Independence.
Voice - We believe communication underpins all areas of learning and life, and everybody has the capacity and the right to communicate.
Choice - We promote agency, enabling everyone to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world.
Independence - We strive to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of the future.
Teaching & Learning
Wayi School is committed to developing learner independence, by purposefully using the students¿ skills and interests to promote the creation of new skills. We identify the abilities that are unique to individual students and employ a team approach that focuses on the development of skills and practices that promote lifelong learning, independence, communication and agency. Teachers, Allied Health and Education Support staff work collaboratively with the students and their parents/carers to develop Individual Education Program (IEP) goals for each student, that are meaningful and relevant for that student. ICT is used extensively to provide rich educational experiences and enhance independence.
Student Wellbeing
Wayi School has developed a range of strategies to promote engagement, an inclusive and safe environment, positive behaviour, and respectful relationships for all students in our school. We recognise the importance of student friendships and peer support in helping children and students feel safe and less isolated. We acknowledge that some students may need extra social, emotional or educational support at school, and that the needs of students will change over time as they grow and learn. SW-PBS and Trauma Informed Practice are foundations initiatives at Wayi School.
Professional Development
Successful applicants may be required to work throughout the school, from Foundation to Senior Secondary; however, the professional preferences, experience, skills and aspirations of individual teachers will be considered and attempted to meet.
SC1 Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice for students with an intellectual disability and the implications for teaching and learning.
SC2 Demonstrated ability to support the implementation and modelling of SWPBS practices that promote positive behaviour and respond effectively to the diverse learning needs of students.
SC3 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.
SC4 Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.
SC6 Demonstrated expert knowledge and ability to model positive behaviour support strategies in a special education setting.
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 who do not have an approved special education qualification but do have a current provisional or full registration from Victorian Institute of Teaching, may apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have an approved special education qualification.
When the vacancy is advertised as an ongoing position and an external applicant does not have an approved special education qualification is selected, that person can only be offered fixed term employment for a period not exceeding five years.
The opportunity to translate to ongoing will occur after 3 years employment in special education settings.
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
Please ensure that your application includes:
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
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.