Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong
Reference: 1484382
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.
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.
Newcomb Primary School is located on Wathawurrung land, close to the city of Geelong at the approach to the Bellarine Peninsula. The school currently has 140 students enrolled and 8 classes and caters for students from Foundation to Year 6. Our curriculum program covers English, Maths, Core Knowledge, Auslan, STEM, Visual Arts, Physical Education and our Social and Emotional Curriculum.
Motto: Strive for Knowledge
At Newcomb Primary School, our commitment is clear: to provide a learning environment where every student and staff member is empowered to reach their full potential. Guided by our motto `Strive for Knowledge,' we cultivate a culture of high expectations, strong relationships and academic excellence.
Our Vision: Excellence in every classroom
We believe that every child deserves access to exceptional teaching every day. Our vision `Excellence in Every Classroom' drives all that we do. We are focused on building high-performing learners and high-performing teachers through clear, consistent instructional practice and a shared commitment to growth.
Our Priorities:
Our Values:
Our school values shape the way we teach, learn, and interact:
Our Approach to Teaching and Learning:
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
We implement a whole-school MTSS framework to ensure every student receives the right level of support ¿ academically, socially and emotionally. This includes:
Through early identification, progress monitoring, and data-informed decision making, we ensure equity and opportunity for every learner.
Explicit and Responsive Teaching
Our teachers deliver instruction that is clear, structured, and goal-oriented. Responsive teaching ensures that no learner is left behind and that progress is both visible and celebrated. Lessons include:
Instructional Coaching
We are committed to continuous improvement in teaching. This professional learning approach ensures that great teaching practices are shared, refined, and sustained across the school. Our instructional coaching model supports teachers through:
Our Culture
Newcomb Primary School is a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. We are a learning community where all students are known, all staff are learners, and every learner matters. We are proud to foster a school culture where: