Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Classroom teacher
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1504207
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.
A qualification in student wellbeing or mental health is desirable but not required.
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.
Carranballac P-9 College is a government school for students from Foundation to Year 9. Located in the western Melbourne suburb of Point Cook, the college comprises two campuses: Boardwalk (established in 2002) and Jamieson Way (established in 2006). As of June 2025, the college enrolled approximately 863 students, including 25 international students, reflecting our diverse and multicultural community. The student body represents over 63 nationalities, with approximately 32% of students from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. The college is led by a principal class team consisting of the college principal, two campus principals and two assistant principals, supported by 80 teaching staff and 32 non-teaching staff.
Vision, Mission, Values:
These guiding principles underpin aspects of the college's operations, fostering a cohesive and inclusive school culture.
Curriculum and Learning Approach:
The college delivers a comprehensive learning program that is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, ensuring high-quality and engaging learning opportunities for all students. Key curriculum areas include:
The college is beginning to embed the Department of Education's Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and utilises Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to ensure data-informed and differentiated instruction.
Student Wellbeing and Support:
A wellbeing framework supports students' social and emotional development, featuring a wellbeing assistant principal supported by a wellbeing team, mental health practitioner for secondary students, two mental health in primary school (MHIPS) coordinators at each campus (total 1.2) and a defence school mentor assisting families in transition. Programs such as Resilience, Right and Respectful Relationships (RRRR), School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS), and restorative practices are integral to promoting a safe and respectful learning environment. Additionally, the college provides:
Facilities and Community Engagement:
The College facilities include the following:
The college maintains partnerships with local organisations, such as Scouts Victoria, and offers an outside school hours care program through 'Quantin Binnah', accommodating families' needs beyond regular school hours.
Strategic Direction:
Following the 2021 school review, the college implemented a four-year strategic plan focusing on:
These goals were pursued through continuous professional development, curriculum refinement, and community collaboration.