Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Classroom teacher
Location: Barwon South West - Corangamite
Reference: 1545203
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.
Terang College is a Foundation-12 school situated in the rural town of Terang, we are 220km West of Melbourne and 45km East of Warrnambool. The school consists of three sub schools: early years (Foundation to 4), middle years (years 5 to 8) and senior school (years 9 to 12). Currently, the College has around 50 staff members, comprising of Principal class (Principal and two Assistant Principals), one Learning Specialist (curriculum development), two Leading Teachers, Business Manager, Teachers, Education support, and Wellbeing staff.
Terang College has an enrolment of 260 (2023). The has a long tradition of academic excellence and a very broad co-curricular program fostering the development of the whole person.
In July 2023, Terang College successfully amalgamated our P-4 and 5-12 campuses to create a unique learning hub with the local kindergarten and the P-4 Campus of the Hampden Specialist School also located at the Strong Street campus site. The College has had several facility upgrades including a comprehensive Science/Technology Building, Primary Centre, and a Learning/Library Hub, as well as a Trade Training Centre.
The motto of Terang College, `Together We Grow¿ identifies aims of growing through a co-operative and sharing approach to developing each child. Terang College fosters and encourages:
students to reach their maximum potential in all areas of endeavour.
the development of positive interpersonal relationships between students, teachers, parents, and wider community
effective communication to provide a safe and secure environment with appropriate challenges and experiences to enable all children to reach their maximum potential.
the development of skills, characteristics and positive attitudes which will enable students to become valuable citizens in our community and society.
The College promotes personal development and self-esteem of each student, and the development of courteous, articulate, and thoughtful attitudes is encouraged. The values of Respect, Responsibility and Pride are taught, modelled, and nurtured. The College pedagogy and programs aim to foster tolerance and respect of others as well as respect for the local and global environment but most importantly a respect for themselves in their learning and growth.
College Council promotes an expectation for parents to uphold the goals of the College and encourages their involvement in the education development of their children. Opportunities are made available for parents to participate in curriculum and College policy development through such groups as the Parents Association as well as sporting days and excursions.
The College has invested in the Professional Learning Communities¿ approach to work in collaborative teams to transform the way we work to improve student outcomes. The College has a major emphasis on academic rigor and high expectations but overriding all others is the wellbeing of the students, staff and parents and ensures they become confident, contributing members of their communities. The College¿s comprehensive, challenging academic curriculum encourages a strong work ethic. The students are polite and hardworking which has translated to either good VCE results that maximise students¿ tertiary education options or numerous career opportunities for students and respect within the Terang and District community.