Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1513014
VISION
The vision of the school community encompasses a commitment to achieving excellence in education for students with additional learning needs through a curriculum which integrates learning technologies with best practice in teaching and learning.
VALUES
The values embraced by the school community are:
- Respect
- Personal Best
- Inclusion
- Cooperation
- Honesty
These values are imbedded in the Student Code of Conduct and the Staff, Principal and School Council Codes of Practice.
CONTEXT
Located in Bundoora, a northern suburb of Melbourne, on two campuses, Concord is a specialist school which caters for students with mild intellectual disability between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Students come from a wide geographical area and a diverse socio-economic background. The Watsonia Campus caters for students aged between 5 and 9 years of age. The Bundoora Campus caters for 9 to 18 year old students. Both campuses are situated in attractive, well maintained grounds with excellent facilities which include:
- Discovery Centre
- Fully equipped gymnasium
- Food Technology Centre
- Art and Craft room
- Well-resourced library
- Physical Education & Performing Arts Centre
- Six school excursion buses
- Comprehensive and innovative eLearning facilities and resources
- Modern playground equipment
- Shaded outdoor playing areas
The school, with 150 teaching and ancillary staff, has a current enrolment of 450 students. Enrolment is dependent on eligibility criteria as determined by the Department of Education. Concord School supports integration into or from mainstream schools. Support services available to parent/carers and students include access to educational psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and visiting teacher services. Intensive social competency programs also form part of the core curriculum across the school
Concord School is focused on student achievement and learning. Concord School is recognised as being a leader in the provision of education for students with additional learning needs and, as a specialist school, is highly regarded for its curriculum, learning technology programs and educational leadership.
The students are taught the mainstream Victorian Curriculum (Prep-Year 10) and VPC (Year 11-12) curriculum however the educational pathway of each student is specifically tailored, through the use of Individual Learning Plans, to meet their targeted learning needs. The students are supported through extensive resourcing, small class sizes of 8-12, education support staff in each classroom and specialised staff including a school nurse, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and student wellbeing coordinators.
Concord School has a high level of commitment to a curriculum which integrates learning technologies with best practice in teaching and learning in order to enhance educational outcomes for our students. The Discovery Centre, a technology rich learning environment, has facilitated opportunities for our students, our staff and for staff from neighbouring schools. The Physical Education/Performing Arts Centre, Food Technology Centre and Library ensures our students have access to outstanding facilities and resources in these areas.
Staff members place a high priority on communication and work with parent/carers in Student Support Groups to communicate and discuss individual Student Learning Plans. These plans focus on the development of learning outcomes based on the course content of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. Student progress is closely monitored against these learning targets through extensive formal and informal assessment.
Student achievement is celebrated to promote increased self-esteem and self-confidence to assist students to become independent in their work and acknowledge participation at school. At Concord we expect that students will develop respect for others and achieve personal excellence.
The values of the school are promoted through all curriculum areas and emphasised through student responsibility areas such as the Student Representative Council and other student leadership programs.
Concord School provides many enrichment programs such as:
- Work Experience
- Travel Education
- Excursion / camping programs
- Swimming programs
- Inter school sport
- Electives
- Presentation Ball
- Perceptual motor program
- Annual Christmas concert, performing arts concerts and incursions
- Bike education
- Walkathon
- Footy Day
The school looks forward to continuing to meet the challenge of educating our students so that each can continue `To be The Best I Can Be'.
SC1. Demonstrated understanding of the Program for Students with Disabilities and/or Disability Inclusion including conducting assessments and writing reports to support the application process.
SC2.Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team within an educational setting, and to work holistically to support staff, students and their families.
SC3.Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures relating to children and schools.
SC4.Demonstrated ability to lead professional learning that builds the capacity of others involved in the support of children with complex learning needs, including teachers and integration aides.
SC5. Relevant qualifications and/or experience in psychology with current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (Victoria).
To provide adolescent psychological service for the school and to work with staff to support students and families and ensure optimal outcomes. The role encompasses psychological intervention, including consultation, assessment and observation, working with staff on a range of student issues and development of wellbeing programs, developing professional development for staff and families as required.
- Conduct assessments of students, such as cognitive assessments, as required
- Diagnosing identifying and clarifying concerns and diagnosing disabilities and disorders
- Assessing developmental, learning and behavioural difficulties
- Develop and implement acute learning interventions for identified students; including cognitive assessment and contribution to development of individual education plans for identified students in consultation with relevant school staff, the student and their family
- Develop and implement strategies and actions to deliver outcomes related to DET identified vulnerable cohorts to ensure all students achieve positive education experiences and outcomes
- Support student/staff requests for assistance in the application of reasonable adjustments and modifications
- Act as resource for teachers to build their capacity in the identification and development of educational, social and emotional supports to assist students who are vulnerable or have additional needs
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of 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
Applicants should attach a single document that includes a cover letter, resume, references and addresses the selection criteria.