AddressCowwarr Primary School is situated approximately 186km east of Melbourne and 28km (26mins) north east of Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley and 38km (30mins) west of Sale in Gippsland and resides in the Wellington Shire district. The town and surrounding area has an approximate population of 400.
The school was established in 1877 and it has 20 students currently enrolled for 2024, with a full-time teaching principal, 1 full time teacher, a part time business manager, 1 part time specialist teacher, 1 part time tutor and 2 part time education support/welfare staff. A new school building was finished in mid-2021 and contains two class rooms, a general-purpose room, a gallery with up to date technology to complement our existing outdoor learning centre and fully equipped kitchen/Cowfé. The school also has a large playground, sandpit and cubby house, vegetable garden, hot house and fruit trees.
The Cowwarr team is all about supporting our students and families. Their education and welfare is important to us. We support students to achieve their full potential and seek to provide a 21st Century Education. For us as a country school, it is important to stay up to date academically with the latest programs and teaching strategies, and be well resourced. Our challenge is to provide our children with all that we can, and more, to give them the best start possible. We strive to make school relevant to our students so that they remain positive and perceive Cowwarr Primary to be an important resource to help them achieve future goals. Our absenteeism is low, and our academic results are admirable, so we are moving in the right direction.
Literacy and numeracy are a priority at Cowwarr Primary School as we know that these two subject areas are at the very foundation of learning. We do however strive to bring a varied curriculum to allow the children to explore their gifts and talents in order for them to make informed choices about their future pathways.
We have set out to be a school that prepares our students for the future and the need to embrace change and new technology. This is a driver for us as we expand computer programs and curriculum, provide up to date resources and help the children to develop ways to use technology safely and effectively. The use of technology is a life skill as it is a means of communication as well as an academic tool for research and development. As a more isolated school we seek to expose the children to technology beyond the basic, to include 3D printing and robotics. This technology is not common in isolated country schools but essential if children are to survive in a competitive 21st century work environment.
Our values program and Respectful Relations program are about preparing our children to live in the community and contribute to it. Just as important as academic programs, is the program which helps the children participate in the local Cowwarr Team and the wider community. Our school values are Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Self-Belief. We are highly motivated to build up the Cowwarr community, with a foundation of students who are knowledgeable, caring, and productive human beings.
Our local community help with the education of our children by working with them in our community garden. We are also associated with local Landcare, Football Club, Lions Club and CFA. Local groups and our community enthusiastically support our school and participate in our education program.
We refer to our school as the Cowwarr Team. Our students can feel accepted, safe and feel a sense of belonging. This limits the need to compete with others and creates an opportunity to work together as a team so that the children can attain their individual goals.
SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
[Attendance requirement for this position]
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 (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
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.
- Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
- Supports communication between teachers and parents
- Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
- Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
- Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
- Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
- Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
- Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly definEd Support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
- Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
- Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of 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
Position will be 3 days 9 -1pm, with the availability of of 5 days 9 - 1pm.
- 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
