Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference: 1496990
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.
Established in 1889, Auburn Primary School is a vibrant learning community that values strong connections between students, staff, and families. With a balanced and comprehensive curriculum, the school fosters both academic growth and social development, with a strong emphasis on student engagement and active parent participation.
Located in a well-established, inner-suburban area in Melbourne¿s eastern suburbs, Auburn Primary School currently has an enrolment of 383 students. The school grounds are spacious and well-maintained, featuring beautiful gardens, and the site has a heritage overlay. Learning spaces are designed to facilitate team teaching, which is a key expectation at Auburn, encouraging a culture of collaboration, professional growth, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
The school offers a broad curriculum, including specialist programs in Mandarin (Chinese), Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Physical Education. Auburn students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in highly anticipated biannual performances, which highlight the school¿s commitment to creativity and self-expression. Technology is embedded across all learning areas, with digital screens in every classroom and a school-managed device program that ensures all students have access to high-quality digital learning tools.
Auburn Primary School operates under a multi-age philosophy, grouping students in Foundation, Year 1/2, Year 3/4, and Year 5/6. The school¿s approach to teaching and learning is carefully structured to provide a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy while fostering engagement through personalised learning and inquiry-based teaching. In Foundation to Year 2, an investigative play approach supports early learning, leading into explicit literacy and numeracy instruction through clinic groups. In Years 3 to 6, clinic groups continue to target key literacy and numeracy concepts within an inquiry-based approach.
This developmental model ensures students are supported to progress from their current skill level to the next stage, maintaining high expectations and engagement.
Auburn¿s commitment to professional learning and leadership development is a defining feature of the school¿s culture. Team teaching, collaboration, and a shared vision of continuous improvement are core expectations for staff. A mentoring program supports teacher development, alongside research-based professional learning opportunities. The school is also committed to fostering leadership, including the annual School Council sponsored Future Leaders Scholarship offering aspiring leaders opportunities to further develop their skills and impact.
Auburn Primary School is an inclusive, forward-thinking, and highly engaged learning community where students, staff, and families work together to ensure the best outcomes for all learners. The school¿s commitment to excellence, improvement and collaboration provides a strong foundation for future growth and continued success.