Classroom Teacher - Derrimut Primary School

Derrimut Primary School commenced operations in February 2010 and is one of 11 schools in the Public, Private Partnerships (PPP) program.  

Derrimut Primary is a government school opened to serve the educational needs of the growing suburb of Derrimut, which is a diverse cultural and socio-economic community.  The school has a current enrolment of 700 students.

Derrimut Primary School has the motto of "A Place to Grow and Thrive" and we have the core set of school values of Excellence, Respect, Responsibility.

Our Mission statement is that "We are a community of learners who strive for excellence to be the very best that we can be", and this is enacted every day at our school.  

Derrimut Primary provides the school community with an educational facility that is unique in its innovative programs delivered by our dedicated staff, enjoyed by enthusiastic students and supported by families in striving for excellence in learning and achievement.

Derrimut Primary School has extremely talented and professional staff, who work collaboratively to meet the educational and engagement needs of all students.  

The school community is committed to high expectations for all students through the Victorian Curriculum and the school guaranteed and viable curriculum that are delivered in every learning community for every student with fidelity and consistency.  

The school is organised into year level learning communities with one teacher responsible for one grade of students.  

We have high expectations in literacy and numeracy and provide a strong professional learning architecture to ensure consistency across the school so that every child is supported to grow in their learning.

We provide a safe, nurturing environment where teachers, students, parents and the community strive for excellence in an effective partnership to improve student learning.  

Students explore the areas of Humanities, Science, Technology and Health through an inquiry scope that supports students to deepen their learning in seven years of schooling.  

The School has a range of technology with our students sharing trolleys of iPads in the F-2 area and a 1:1 iPad program in the 3-6 area.  

Our students and teachers participate in a range of mentoring, coaching and leadership programs across the school.  

Student agency is valued at Derrimut and is reflected in student led goal setting, conferences and participation is in decision-making activities for the school and the community.

Our school prides itself on the excellent facilities, both indoor and outdoor to support high expectations and student learning.  

The main building is centred on the Resource Centre, where children have access to state of the art research and literacy facilities.  

Curriculum Support programs operate in Physical Education, The Arts and Languages, and Health and Sustainability.  Our Design Centre caters for our Kitchen Garden, The Arts and other STEAM programs.  

Learning spaces and opportunities are extended to a full sized oval, large gym and our own wetlands, native gardens, sensory garden and a play pod.  

The school has a full sized indoor basketball court, two outdoor courts and a lovely play area for children; most of which has extensive shade structures in place.  

The YMCA is a valued partner of Derrimut Primary School and run a Long Day Care centre and Before & After School program in an adjacent community hub.

Selection Criteria

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

SC3    Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

Role

The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2.  The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes.  

The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases.

All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2

Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.

A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.

Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:

• Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
• Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
• Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
• Supervise and train one or more student teachers
• Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1

The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes.

These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs.  

Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities. 

The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice.  New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.

Responsibilities
The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

• Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;
• Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;
• Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;
• Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;
• Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

Who May Apply

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.