Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Leading Teacher - Range 3
Occupation: Leading teacher
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1483602
SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the implementation of school priorities, including wellbeing and inclusion practices.
SC2 Demonstrated ability to lead the planning and implementation of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.
SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to monitor and assess student learning at a class, cohort or whole-school level and use this data to lead improvement initiatives. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community focused on student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values and support colleagues to adopt these behaviours and attitudes. Demonstrated ability to reflect upon their own, others and whole-school practice and contribute to the provision of whole-school professional learning.
Leading teachers will be highly skilled classroom practitioners and undertake leadership and management roles commensurate with their salary range. The role of leading teachers is to improve the skill, knowledge and performance of the teaching workforce in a school or group of schools and to improve the curriculum program of a school.
Typically, leading teachers are responsible for coordinating a number of staff to achieve improvements in teaching and learning which may involve the coordination and professional support of colleagues through modelling, collaborating and coaching and using processes that develop knowledge, practice and professional engagement in others.
Leading teachers are expected to lead and manage a significant area or function within the school with a high degree of independence to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program.
Leading teachers will be expected to make a significant contribution to policy development relating to teaching and learning in the school. A leading teacher has a direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals.
Leading teachers are usually responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan.
In recognition of the importance of leadership and management combined with exemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the leading teachers may include but are 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
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.
EXCITING LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY IN A NEW SCHOOL FOR 2026
Topirum Primary School is a new school which opened in 2024. The school is located in the Smiths Lane estate, Clyde North, in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
For 2026, the school has a projected enrolment of 650-700 students from prep to grade 6. There are expected to be about 31 classes. The specialist subjects offered in 2025 are visual art, music, science, physical education and French language. The school provides iPads for junior classes and Lenovo laptops for senior classes. The school uses the Google platform and Compass for communication.
The school facilities include: an administration and library building; 2 learning neighborhoods; a community hub with indoor multi-use court; canteen; arts/music spaces; hard courts; a sports field and staff car park. From 2025, modern portables are also used for classrooms. Students have great learning areas with air conditioning and heating. Outside, they have shade sails for sun protection. The school is designed to be environmentally sustainable.
A Topirum Primary School Kindergarten opened in 2025 and is located on the school site. A before and after school service is operated by DS Sports.
The school has experienced significant growth in its first two years, and this is expected for 2026 and beyond.
The school mission is to offer students a well-rounded educational experience that prepares them with the academic, social, and emotional skills to succeed in life. The school vision is to teach our students to become confident and creative young people, who pursue their passions and strive for excellence. They will have an inquiring mind and be empowered to become engaged citizens who contribute positively to society.
The school offers a vibrant and engaging curriculum utilising a reader¿s and writer¿s workshop model with a focus on mentor texts. A maths workshop model highlights rich tasks, a focus on a positive maths mindset and the four proficiencies. Our inquiry learning is differentiated with a discovery learning approach in prep to grade 2 and a project-based approach in grades 3 to 6. Our specialist program is valued in the school, providing students with further opportunities to develop their skills and passions. We provide a dedicated EAL teacher to support students and also intervention support. We conduct a high abilities program and participate in the school network masterclass initiative. The school has a wonderful learning support team who support students with disability/learning needs in the classroom.
The school invests in mentoring and coaching with our learning specialist team available to support graduates and new teachers. Teachers collaborate in a formal professional learning community (PLC) structure for planning and assessment. Underpinning our curriculum program is a firm pedagogical belief that learning is student-centered and learning tasks are authentic, meaningful and students have a degree of autonomy in their learning choices.
The school implements a multi-tiered system approach to supporting all students. A humanist philosophy to understanding student behaviour and development informs our support structures including: restorative practices, circle time, ready to learn scales, use of reset spaces, process praise and modified adjustments for learning. Students have IEPs and BSPs as required to personalise the learning and set realistic goals. The school has a rigorous approach to accessing tier 3 funding through the disability inclusion profile process. Other supports are implemented in a targeted way including music therapy, counselling, youth workers and NDIS therapy.
The school strategic plan goals for 2025-2029 are:
Goal 1: Improve learning outcomes for literacy and numeracy.
Key Improvement Strategies:
Goal 2: Improve student wellbeing and engagement.
Key Improvement Strategies:
Please see the school website topirumps.vic.edu.au for information about the school.
For applicants:
Please ensure you address the key selection criteria. Also attach a cover letter and your CV. Include your mobile contact number, email and VIT registration number (if applicable). Please list up to three referees (name, position and contact number). For file attachments, ensure your full name is in the file name.
This position is for a leading teacher- wellbeing and inclusion. You will work closely with our assistant principal to manage this area across the school. The position is not expected to carry a significant teaching load. You will be a member of the school leadership team and participate in the School Improvement Team (SIT), provide professional learning for staff and contribute towards meeting the school priorities. The position is tenured for 3 years and is ongoing and full-time.
Teaching at Topirum 2026 Information Session
You are invited to attend our information session on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 at 4.30-5.15pm. This will be held in our school library. Please register for this by contacting our reception officer, Divya Busetty on 5929 2999. Please enter via gate 3 or 4. The principal and leadership will give an overview of the school, teaching/leadership opportunities for 2026, and conduct a school tour.
Also note:
Leading teacher interviews will be held on Friday 8th August at the school.
Offers of an interview will occur after the selection panel shortlists (Monday 28th July) and will be sent by email. Please reply to the email to accept the offer of an interview.
For more information on this position, please contact Marc de Ley, principal, on 03 5929 2999 or by email [email protected].