Leading Teacher: Middle School Leader

The College opened on its present site in 1955 and is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling red gum hills. The Glenelg River meanders through the township. Casterton is 353km. west of Melbourne and is approximately 70 km. from Hamilton and Mt. Gambier. Casterton Secondary College services the needs and provides opportunities for the people of Strathdownie, Dergholm, Coleraine, Merino and Casterton.

Enrolment and Demographics

Casterton Secondary College is a single campus, Year 7 - 12 school. The 2024 enrolment is 116 students. Our students come predominantly from rural or related backgrounds; there are low levels of students born overseas and very few students of Koori background.

We currently have 13 teaching staff (including the Principal Class), with part-time staff this equates to 12 effective fulltime positions. There are 10 non-teaching staff including Integration Aides and we have a school doctor and nurse.

Educational

Students at Years 7 to 10 study a core curriculum of English, Maths, Humanities, Science, PE/Health, Science, Agriculture/Horticulture, Technologies and Art.

Year 11 and 12 students select individual pathways.

The College makes every effort to provide a broad range of choices at VCE level, including access to subjects via the Virtual School. In addition to a large offering of VCE subjects, VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate also operate. Additionally, we have an SBA and SWL student stream.

Students benefit from the educational experiences on the adjacent 16-hectare school farm which runs sheep and cattle. They also participate in applied learning programs such as oenology, aquaculture, viticulture, and produce both glasshouse and hydroponically grown vegetables and herbs. Information can be sourced from our website www.castertonsc.vic.edu.au  

The College offers a wide range of extension and enrichment programs including an instrumental music program and sport. Students participate in a range of competitions including subject competitions.

Technology

The College has two rooms of computers and a ratio of one computer to one student which includes a combination of three trolleys of netbooks, i-pads and desk top computers. The school Intranet provides storage and pick up facilities for all students and staff. Wireless connectivity enables all staff to access the network and the internet from anywhere in the school. Smart Televisions are installed in all classrooms.

Environmental- grounds and facilities

The College grounds are extensive and well maintained providing an inviting environment to the College community and visitors. Sporting facilities include a multipurpose stadium, ovals, a covered passive recreation area and cricket nets.

Students also have access to outdoor gym equipment (five stations) as part of a soon to be developed walking trail.

State-of-the arts technology facilities and equipment (including a drone, plasma cutter etc.) supports students to study a wide range of subjects including Product Design Technology in Wood and Metal and Food Technology.

The music centre allows students to gain one on one, and small group instruction in a range of instruments.

SC1      Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the implementation of school priorities, and the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum.

SC2      Demonstrated ability to lead the planning and implementation of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

SC3      Demonstrated exemplary ability to monitor and assess student learning at a class, cohort or whole-school level and use this data to lead improvement initiatives. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4      Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community focused on student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5      Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values and support colleagues to adopt these behaviours and attitudes. Demonstrated ability to reflect upon their own, others and whole-school practice and contribute to the provision of whole-school professional learning.

Leading teachers will be highly skilled classroom practitioners and undertake leadership and management roles commensurate with their salary range.  The role of Leading Teachers is to improve the skill, knowledge and performance of the teaching workforce in a school or group of schools and to improve the curriculum program of a school.

Typically, Leading Teachers are responsible for coordinating a number of staff to achieve improvements in teaching and learning which may involve the coordination and professional support of colleagues through modelling, collaborating and coaching and using processes that develop knowledge, practice and professional engagement in others.

Leading teachers are expected to lead and manage a significant area or function within the school with a high degree of independence to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program.

Leading teachers will be expected to make a significant contribution to policy development relating to teaching and learning in the school. A Leading Teacher has a direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals.

Leading teachers are usually responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan.

In recognition of the importance of leadership and management combined with exemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Leading Teachers may include but are not limited to:

• Leading and managing the implementation of whole-school improvement initiatives related to the school strategic plan and school priorities
• Leading and managing the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery;
• Leading and managing the provision of professional development and developing individual and team development plans for teaching staff within the priorities of the school;
• Leading and managing staff performance and development (review of staff);
• Teaching demonstration lessons;
• Leading and managing the development of the school's assessment and reporting policies and practices;
• Leading and managing the implementation of the school operations and policies related to student welfare and discipline;
• Leading the development of curriculum in a major learning area and participating in curriculum development in other areas;
• Responsibility for general discipline matters beyond the management of classroom teachers;
• Contributing to the overall leadership and management of the school;
• Contributing to the development of proposals for school council consideration;
• Developing and managing the school code of conduct.

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

• 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

Please ensure that your application includes:

• A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

• 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.