Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1505931
At Thornbury High School, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Our core vision is to inspire and empower students to become respectful, resilient, and innovative leaders, equipped with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
We are dedicated to providing a holistic education through a broad range of academic and extracurricular programs that cater to the diverse needs, talents, and aspirations of our students. Our strong focus on inclusivity ensures that all students feel valued, respected, and supported in their individual learning journeys. We cultivate a culture of high expectations, fostering a safe and secure learning environment where every student can achieve their personal best.
Our school's vision is underpinned by the following core values:
Thornbury High School serves approximately 1,100 students, and we continue to lead in academic achievement and post-school pathways. Our strong performance in VCE results, highlighted by our recent recognition with `The Age¿ Schools that Excel Award, reflects our commitment to excellence. We continue to see significant improvement in student outcomes, with 16% of our Year 12 cohort in 2024 achieving an ATAR above 90.
We are proud of our diverse programs, including the free instrumental music tuition offered to Year 7 and 8 students, our expanded Sports Academy, and the Italian language immersion program. Our commitment to fostering both academic and extracurricular growth is reinforced by recent developments in our school facilities, including the $14.9 million STEAM Centre and the Performing Arts and Sports Centre, which further enhance our vibrant teaching and learning environment.
Thornbury High School values the diverse backgrounds of our students and staff, and we work to create a school culture where all feel welcome and supported. Our student-led bullying survey, along with ongoing efforts to promote wellbeing, contribute to a secure and positive learning environment where students can grow both academically and personally.
We are committed to ongoing improvement and providing a high-quality educational experience for all students. For more information, please visit our website at www.thornburyhs.vic.edu.au or connect with us through our community Facebook page.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Thornbury High School stands, the Wurundjeri People, and pay our respects to their elders¿ past, present, and emerging.
Application Information
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy at Thornbury High School. Please note the following details when submitting your application:
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 Wellbeing and Inclusion Counsellor (WIC) is a key member of the THS Wellbeing Team, providing student-centred support that promotes inclusion, engagement, and mental health. The WIC contributes to the development and delivery of wellbeing and inclusion programs, liaises with families and external agencies, and supports the coordination of services for students with additional, complex and behavioural needs.
The role operates within DE¿s frameworks for student wellbeing, inclusion, and disability, and requires the ability to exercise professional judgment within clearly established policies, guidelines, and supervision structures. The WIC works collaboratively with the Principal Team, Business Manager, Wellbeing Co-Ordinator, Sub-School Leaders and Mental Health Practitioners to enhance student outcomes and wellbeing across the school.
Position responsibilities:
Coordinate the referral, triage, and case management of students requiring support, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with families and external agencies.
Provide case management for students with social, emotional, behavioural, or mental health needs, and access to community or allied health services.
Support mediation and restorative conversations as required and contribute to the development of individual support or safety plans in collaboration with relevant staff and families.
Plan, implement, and evaluate wellbeing and inclusion programs and workshops aligned with DE frameworks such as the Mental Health in Schools Program, Disability Inclusion, and Positive Behaviour Support.
Collaborate with the Disability Inclusion Coordinator and other relevant school staff to ensure students receive appropriate support and adjustments, and contribute to a positive, inclusive school culture that promotes belonging and respect for diversity.
Provide professional guidance and consultation to staff to strengthen their capacity to identify and respond to student wellbeing and inclusion needs.
Work closely with Sub-School Leaders, Year Level Coordinators, and other key staff to ensure coordinated interventions, effective communication, and consistent wellbeing and inclusion practices across the school.
Maintain accurate, confidential records of student contact and wellbeing activities in line with DE and school requirements, using Compass, eduSafe, and other databases to record referrals and updates.
Support the appropriate archiving of wellbeing files in collaboration with the Wellbeing Coordinator Disability Inclusion Coordinator, Business Manager and Enrolment Officer.
Assist the Pathways and Senior Sub-School Teams with SEAS and scholarship applications.
Demonstrated experience supporting the wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement of young people in a school or community setting.
Knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental health, trauma-informed practice, and inclusive education principles.
Strong ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and professionals.
High-level organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Capacity to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to whole-school improvement initiatives.
Understanding of DE¿s Child Safe Standards, Code of Conduct, and Disability Inclusion frameworks.
Undertake other duties consistent with the classification and as directed by the Principal or Business Manager.
Relevant qualifications in Youth Work, Counselling, Social Work, or a related discipline are essential.
Conditions apply: Police Check, VIT/WWCC, Child Safety Standards, DET Code of Conduct.
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.