Aboriginal Teacher Assistant (Teacher Assistant)

Position Details: Aboriginal Teaching Assistants (ATAs) will work alongside the existing staff, to promote the policies and objectives of the College for the benefit of its students and community. It is an agricultural College situated on 3500ha of farmland in the Shire of Chittering. The College is a small rural day and boarding school catering for 150 students from years 7 – 12 approx. 45 mins from Midland & Joondalup. Subsidised onsite housing may be available for successful candidates.

The College encourages applicants to apply who have had past experience or who are suited to the role and are looking to begin their career in education. On the job training and support will be offered to any successful applicant.
The aim of Aboriginal staff is intended to:

• improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students, especially in the areas of educational access, participation, literacy and numeracy, and retention and graduation.
• improve connection between communities, families and school.
• provide role models for Aboriginal children and young adults.

Role Statement: Under the guidance of the classroom teacher, the ATA can be expected to provide professional support in the classroom and school environment. ATAs will support the integration of ATSI perspectives in the curriculum and will be expected to support and promote home/community/home partnerships.

The College uses trauma informed practices as a means of supporting student needs. The successful applicant must be willing to partake in training and upskilling in this area and will be required to utilise their interpersonal skills and abilities to ensure student engagement, as well as negotiating effectively for the same purpose.
The role of the ATA is to work in collaboration with teachers to provide appropriate advice, practical support, and guidance to assist Indigenous students with learning and development for each individual child. The role of the ATA can extend to engaging with students over a range of cultural and educational programs. They will be expected to actively promote student engagement in College life and be a conduit of communication and support between the school and families regarding education, behaviour, cultural needs and considerations for the student as they navigate in school and boarding life.  
Selection Criteria: We are seeking an energetic and dynamic educator who is able to demonstrate:

• Support for the Catholic ethos within the school.
• Understand and demonstrate the need for confidentiality of information.
• Show initiative, work independently and contribute actively to a dynamic team environment and embrace the concept of continuous learning.
• Promote the inclusion of ATSI children in the school community.
• Support students within the classroom setting and provide pastoral care.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills with staff and students.
• Be competent users of basic IT.
• Participate in cultural awareness sessions for students and staff.

Desirable Qualifications (but not essential):

• Experience in Teacher Assistant position or similar position
• Aboriginality is a specification for this position in accordance with Section 50(d), Equal Employment Opportunity Act 1984.

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae, addressed to the Principal, including the names and contact numbers of three referees, one of whom must be the current employer. Further information can be obtained by contacting Amy Mosquito (Principal) on 089576 5***. Resumes can be emailed to ***********@erc.wa.edu.au or addressed to Principal, Edmund Rice College, Locked Bag 1, Bindoon WA 6502 by 4 pm.