Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong
Reference: 1502362
At Newtown, we learn and flourish together. We are committed to understanding and supporting each individual to engage in their learning and personal progress. Newtown Primary School has an enrolment of approximately 190 students. Our school has a strong record of performance in both Literacy and Numeracy. Students develop a personal commitment to their learning by participating in setting learning goals and monitoring their progress as they engage in meaningful tasks. Specialist programs are offered in the areas of Physical Education, the Arts and Indonesian and Music and Performing Arts.
Learning Communities work with purposeful collaboration to conduct 'integrated learning programs' incorporating other areas such as personal and interpersonal learning, science and humanities.
The Newtown community is active in our school at many levels. From the formal School Council structure and Parent Teachers interviews/conferences to more informal community picnics and other school events and fundraisers. The community demonstrates a close connection to the school. Strong, positive parent opinion survey data demonstrates Newtown¿s commitment in fostering and maintaining healthy and connected family and school relationships.
Staff and family relationships are important at Newtown Primary School, as a small school, we value the importance of creating a safe, inviting and friendly space for our students and families - from the front office, through to our outsourced out of school hours care provider.
Our expansive school grounds are a source of great pride. Our entire community are encouraged to work together to keep these learning and play spaces safe and attractive. Significant ground works will be undertaken to further develop and rejuvenate external areas of the school such as; an external amphitheatre space development, and out of school hours care building replacement.
At Newtown Primary School, we are inclusive and diverse. We take pride in our community¿s collective contributions and perspectives. International students and families originating from other countries participate fully in our school program and enrich our lives through their generous sharing of the culture of their countries of origin. Students also participate in the language and cultural study of Indonesia. Newtown Primary School is accredited to deliver education to International students and we explicitly plan for their academic progress and wellbeing.
In 2026 Newtown Primary School will operate 7 classes with 12 classroom teaching & specialist teaching staff, Assistant Principal, Principal, Business Manager, and a team of dedication education support staff.
[Attendance requirement for this position]
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
The duties of a Student Mental Health and Wellbeing counsellor include counselling students whose behaviour, school progress or mental or physical needs indicate a need for assistance; consulting with parents, teachers and other school personnel to implement processes to maximise student wellbeing and engagement in learning. They may be required to support families with referrals to external services for medical, psychiatric and other testing that might disclose the cause of difficulties.
As well as attending to those duties required within this ES range, the role includes the following key accountabilities:
Excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively perform all duties.
Provide counselling for students, both in a small group and 1:1 capacity to support emotional, social and behavioural concerns.
Advise wellbeing team members, school leadership and teachers of strategies that will assist and support students with their social, emotional and/or academic needs.
Be familiar with social service agencies in the community so that students and their families can be connected to the appropriate services if required.
Manage crisis situations if they arise.
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
Please ensure that your application includes:
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.