Administrative Assistant - Peninsula Region

Oakwood School staff are appointed to the school and not to a specific site. Oakwood staff will need to be flexible and may be required to change sites depending on school and student needs. This position will be located on the Peninsula and the successful candidate will work across the Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud sites.

We believe that all students should be able to thrive in mainstream school however we know that for a small percentage of students this is not always possible. Oakwood School provides opportunities for young people, of secondary school age who have disengaged from school or where a mainstream school learning environment is seen to be inappropriate to meet the young person¿s needs

The background of students at Oakwood School is diverse but they have in common the experience of trauma in their lives through for example, violence, family breakdown and associated mental health issues. Often young people have not engaged in learning as a result of chronic anxiety, or specific learning or language difficulties.

Young people seeking enrolment at Oakwood School will usually be connected with a range of mental health, child protection or youth workers but have been disconnected for some time from schools and teachers.  Oakwood School provides a safe and supportive learning environment that enables young people to reconnect with teachers and learning as embodied in Oakwood¿s intent of ¿Learning, Respect and Empowerment¿.

We believe that all students would like to be attending school and learning. We have a further strong belief that ¿students will give the best that they have got¿, in other words, if they could do better at school, they would.  The intention of Oakwood School is to re-introduce students to learning to the extent that they are able to be successful and to build upon these successes to develop their learning potential and journey to a successful adult pathway.

The program is centred around a developmentally responsive personalised learning and pathway plan with a focus on the development of literacy, numeracy, social development, pursuing student¿s interests and studies of Art and Physical Education. 

Oakwood School has campuses in Caulfield Park, Noble Park and Frankston and satellite schools at community venues in Hastings, Rosebud, Pakenham and Mornington.

Oakwood School also runs a satellite VCAL program at Longbeach Place in Chelsea.  This is a re-engagement program where students are enrolled in a VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) program at Foundation, Intermediate or Senior level.  Students also have the opportunity to complete a VET Certificate.  Delivery of the program is flexible to allow students to complete their certificate over several years, if required. This unique program is delivered in a non-mainstream educational setting and gives students the opportunity to experience success with learning.

The program at the Caulfield Park Community campus of Oakwood School includes Music, Home Economics and Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) programs.  Integral to the program at Caulfield Park are significant events such as camps, excursions and whole school activities.

Prior to enrolment at Oakwood School the student attends a series of meetings that enable Oakwood School staff to better understand the young person in a case managed approach alongside parents, carers and other professionals. This gradual process also allows the student time to become accustomed to the school and teachers and to become aligned with the school values and processes.  This intake process is designed to ensure that when the young person starts at Oakwood School they are prepared and ready to focus on learning.

The Oakwood School team comprises the educational leadership team of principal, campus principals, student wellbeing and teaching and learning leaders, teachers and allied health professionals, such as psychologists, mental health nurse, youth workers and administrative staff.

Oakwood School is continuing to develop across the South East Victoria Region as a coordinated approach to engaging our most vulnerable young people with learning.

1. Capacity to undertake effective education support strategies to support student learning in numeracy and literacy across a range of work areas within a school environment
2. Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including teachers, education support, health professionals, students and parents.
3. Demonstrated relevant qualifications/experience and attributes specific to the role and the skills and attributes to effectively engage with students at educational risk.
4.  Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
5. A demonstrated commitment to ensure the safety of all students and uphold Oakwood School’s Child Safety Code of Conduct.

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level 

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

• This position will be located on the Peninsula and the successful candidate will work across the Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud sites.
• Support the teaching of literacy and numeracy development under the supervision and direction of the classroom teacher.
• Support students in their individual learning goals.
• Encourage and support the Oakwood School motto of learning, respect and empowerment.
• Work efficiently and effectively with other team members.
• Provide feedback to staff members on student progress and or concerns.
• Research, collate, photocopy and assemble appropriate classroom materials. under the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Build rapport with students and engage students in learning.
• Provide a safe and secure environment to all students and role model a calm and consistent approach.
• Set up and put away equipment and materials.
• Assist with supervising students in art and PE.
• Contribute to the school culture:  welcoming, supportive, accepting, encouraging, and professional.
• Communicate clearly and positively.
• Maintain professionalism when dealing with behaviour management.
• Visual communication:  displays, promotion, photography, video.
• Participate in team meetings and professional development.
• Assist in the office when required:  answering telephones, greeting people, faxing, photocopying, signing in of mail.
• Work with staff towards a shared vision and positive outcome for our students.

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx