Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Classroom teacher
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1491573
Westgrove Primary School was established in 1995 and is located within the City of Wyndham on the land of the Bunurong People.
School Demographic
In 2025 we have approximately 525 students enrolled who are spread across 24 classes. We have either three or four classes at every year level from Prep to Grade 6.
We have a diverse student population, with 42% being from be disadvantaged background, 38% are EAL, 3% Aboriginal and 2% in Out of Home Care. The Student Family Occupation Index (SFO) is 0.5981 and the Student Family Occupation and Education Index (SFOE) is 0.4935. We work tremendously hard to support all students to have access to the education they deserve.
Westgrove Primary Schools Intention, Vision and Values
Our intent at Westgrove Primary School is for our students to have the skills needed to participate in society in a meaningful way, which are articulated in our school vision and values. This is important because many of our students need real life skills in order to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage and take full advantage of what is on offer.
Vision
Westgrove Primary School is a safe, inclusive and supportive community that empowers students with the tools to reach their individual potential.
Values
At Westgrove Primary School we are a diverse community who value Respect, Inclusion, Learning and Safety. These values underpin our decision making and guide the behaviours of all members of our school community.
The school motto 'Together We Grow' underpins the core aim of working together to build a purposeful learning community.
Teaching and Learning
At Westgrove Primary School our instructional model is based on the Workshop Model, which has the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) embedded within it. Over the last few years, the school has focused significantly on improving outcomes in reading. This encompassed improving teacher understanding and instruction and increased student and community engagement. This narrow focus saw improved results in this area. In the last 18 months our school has pivoted its focus to improving our practice and results in Mathematics, which is being support by the work currently being undertaken within the Wyndham network.
All teaching staff are active participants in high functioning Professional Learning Communities (PLC), which operate in bands across the school. The PLCs support our staff in taking collective responsibility for all students. More recently the PLC focus has been on improving teacher knowledge and trying new practices to improve student learning whilst building teacher capacity in Mathematics and Inclusive Classroom practices.
Our specialist program includes PE, Italian, STEM, Visual Arts and Performing Arts and Cultural Studies. Additionally, we have an EAL specialist teacher and intervention teacher/s who support those at risk in either English or Mathematics or stretching those students working well above the expected level.
The school also integrates the latest technology as a tool to support learning, including iPads, laptops and a range of STEM resources. Interactive whiteboards and LCD screens are available throughout the learning spaces.
Engagement, Wellbeing and Inclusion
The School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) initiative combined with the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) underpin our approach to wellbeing. The school community has a strong focus on explicitly teaching students the expected behaviours and attitudes aligned with our school values. We are committed to improving student attendance rates and have sound strategies in place for tracking and the follow up of student absences.
Our students have a range of leadership opportunities which include our formal leadership position (School Captaincy, House Leaders and Student Voice Leaders) and our Better Buddies and Community Service programs.
In 2025, our school is in its third year of implementation of the Disability Inclusion model, as well as the Side-By-Side Pilot program which aims to improve the attendance and achievement of our students with significantly low attendance.
Facilities
Our grounds have three designated play equipment areas, a synthetic sports area, a gymnasium, well-resourced library, daily canteen and well furbished classroom buildings. In addition, we have a swimming pool on school grounds, which we are in a joint use agreement with Paul Sadler Swimland. Our students regularly access swimming programs as do several local schools who hire the facility. We are proud of the Indigenous garden we have established in recent years. It includes a meeting place, a culturally significant sculpture and planting as well as signage which has been created by our Indigenous student population.
SC1 Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.
SC2 Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.
SC3 Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC4 Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.
The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2. The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.
As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.
Classroom teacher Range 2
Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.
A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.
Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:
- Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
- Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
- Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
- Supervise and train one or more student teachers
- Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.
Classroom teacher Range 1
The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs. Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.
At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities.
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice. New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.
Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.
Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.
The role of classroom teacher may include but is 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.
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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
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
This vacancy is to replace an employee on parental absence and is for a period of seven years or until the employee absent on leave returns to duty at the school.
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.