Defence School Mentor (14Hrs/Week)

Your Opportunity

As the Defence School Mentor (DSM) you will assist students in Defence families in four key areas (welcoming, integrating, support during deployment and absence; and farewelling) at McDowall State School and throughout their education and as they move from one school to another.

The DSM position is advertised for 14 hours per week (to be negotiated between the successful applicant and the school) for the duration of 6 months with the possibility of extension.

About the school

McDowall State School delivers excellence in quality preparatory and primary education services. McDowall State School implements the Australian preparatory and primary curriculum through effective teaching within a supportive school and classroom learning environment facilitating achievement of personal excellence.

Our vision is for all students to experience success and to assume increasing levels of self-responsibility in the achievement of pre-determined learning outcomes within a supportive learning context strengthened by partnerships.

With approximately 1000 students from Prep to Year 6, the school caters to a diverse community made up of families from varying backgrounds and cultures. The School Motto – Courtesy-Honesty-Knowledge reminds us to engage students as advocates for their own learning. The school will empower them to aim and achieve excellence now and into the future.

Your Role

The Defence School Mentor (DSM) Program provides funding to schools to minimise the impact of the mobile lifestyle on Defence students’ education. The DSM Program assists Defence students and their families with changing schools, integrating into the school community and providing support during parental absences. The program is to assist students in Defence families in four key areas throughout their education and as they move from one school to another

How you will be Assessed

As the Defence School Mentor, you will have the following key responsibilities:

• Support the transition of Defence families and students into and out of the school during posting (e.g. developing welcoming activities, integration activities to provide support during transition into a new school, absence support activities to provide support during periods of parental absence, and farewelling activities to prepare Defence families and students for relocating to a new school)
• Identify needs of students from Defence families and develop resources and programs to support them. 
• Provide Defence students experiencing the impacts of Defence parental absence and relocation with age-appropriate, social and emotional support that enhances existing school supports
• Connect with and provide Defence families with information about the school environment and available Defence Member and Family Support programs relevant to their student's development
• Raise awareness and build capacity among school staff to respond to the social and emotional needs of students from Defence families
• The provision of education resources to support the Defence student’s wellbeing and establishment of ongoing programs and resources for use during and beyond the life of the program

About you

The successful candidate will demonstrate the skills required to meet the objectives of the Defence School Mentor Program, including:

• build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders including staff, families and students
• set priorities and meet deadlines
• work independently and as a team member to achieve goals
• work collaboratively with staff, students and families
• demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills

Current working knowledge of the Defence Forces is considered advantageous but not required.

To apply:

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (one of whom should be your current supervisor if possible)
• Attach a maximum 2-page written response outlining your suitability for the role referring to the role description as advertised above.
• Send all applications to ***@mcdowallss.eq.edu.au - Attn: Calliope Ainsworth DSM Application

Please note: 

• The Child Protection Reform Amendment Act 2014 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to a working with children check as part of the employment screening process. The department is legally obliged to warn applicants that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a blue card application form. Further details regarding the blue card system is available at: www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/
• Pre-employment screening DoE may require candidates to undergo a variety of pre-employment checks including but not limited to disciplinary and/or criminal history checks and a working with children check. Criminal History Check (CHC) A CHC will be undertaken for the recommended candidate. If information is received that may exclude you from further consideration you will be given an opportunity to respond and your response will be taken into account in the evaluation process

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the school. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

Closing Date: Tuesday, 9 July 2024