Local Community
Fairhills High School was established in 1973 in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Fairhills High School is a medium sized, co-educational secondary school with a current population of approximately 400 students, a teaching staff EFT of 28.2 and an education support staff (ES) EFT of 13.2.
The school prides itself on the contribution it makes to its local community through the provision of excellent educational opportunities for young people and works collaboratively with local schools to further enhance the opportunities for all Knox students.
With a Student Family Occupation Education index of 0.46, our Fairhills community can be described as medium socio-economic with a typical mixture of professional, skilled and semi-skilled employment. Unemployed and low-income households form a small but important factor in our educational provision for the community.
The school believes strongly in a student-centred learning environment and is committed to improving outcomes for all students.
The school operates two sub schools, the Middle School (Years 7-9) and the Senior School (Years 10-12). Each sub school is overseen by an Assistant Principal who is responsible for creating a learning environment that is supportive, orderly and has high expectations of all.
There is a strong, consistent and positive whole school approach to wellbeing and student management.
School Vision
`Inspiring and empowering members of our school community to achieve their full potential in an inclusive and supportive environment.'
School Philosophy
Fairhills High School is a learning community for all. It is the school's duty to provide every student with the learning environment to thrive.
Our values ensure we build and maintain respectful and positive relationships. The School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework, high expectations of community members and consistency of teaching practices via the FHS instructional model enables a supportive and orderly learning environment for our students.
We focus on innovative and engaging learning strategies that capture each student's interests at their point of need.
Through our personal growth programs our students are given the necessary learning and life skills to overcome any obstacles they will face at school and beyond.
Our Approach to Creating a Positive Learning Environment
The school has developed and embedded an instructional model in all learning environments. The `LEARN model' and our School-Wide Positive Behaviours Matrix supports all students to learn and grow in a supportive and orderly learning environment.
In 2023 the Attitudes to School Survey reflected the improvements the school has implemented, with all framework factors e.g. school connectedness & stimulated learning, being above state average.
Curriculum
The school provides an inspiring curriculum based on the VCAA and Victorian Curriculum. Students in Year 7 and 8 experience a core curriculum based around eight learning areas and participate in the music instrumental program. In Year 9 and 10 over 65% of the course is elective based.
Year 7-9 students participate in comprehensive self-development programs so they can thrive at school and beyond.
Early start VCE is accessible for Year 10 students who are achieving at a high level. In Year 11 and 12 we offer a wide range of VCE units and VET programs.
Facilities
Fairhills High School has a Flexible Learning Centre and a double court Sports Stadium. In addition, the KIOSC Trade Training Centre has been established by the six Knox schools in partnership with Swinburne University at their Knox university site.
In 2024, a state-of-the-art STEM/Senior Learning Centre and music hub was completed and is ready for school community use.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 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. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au
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
For further information please contact Ian Van Schie, Principal, at ************@education.vic.gov.au
- 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
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.