Multicultural Education Aide (Mea) - Dari Speaking

Northern Bay P-12 College is a unique multi-campus school located in the Northern Suburbs of Geelong made up of four Prep ¿ Year 8 campuses and a fifth Year 9 - Year 12 campus. The college also boasts a Family and Early Learning Centre and the Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre (GITTC) on our Goldsworthy site.

The College operates through a three sub-school structure to enhance our `One School ¿ One Team¿ ethos which emphasises a rigorous focus on Student Learning underpinned by a proactive and supportive well-being framework. Across the college, staff work in Professional Learning Communities based upon the Stages of Learning; Prep - Year 2, Year 3 - 6 and Year 7 - 9 & Year 10 - 12.   These teams meet regularly in Campus based and college wide groups to implement data informed strategies that support continued improvement of learning outcomes for all students.

Organisationally the college is arranged in three sub schools, the Hendy P-8 Campus and Peacock P-8 Campus Sub School; the Wexford P-8 Campus and Tallis P-8 Campus Sub School and the Goldsworthy Year 9-12 Sub School. Additionally, the College Assistant Principal ¿ Student Enrichment Programs leads a portfolio that includes oversight of programs that connect students with further educational opportunities as well as providing executive leadership to College facilities including the Family and Early Learning Centre and the GITTC.

The College is very well supported by a strong team working to implement a college wide, sustainable Inclusion Team structure that consists of specialised teachers and education support staff, including a College Inclusion Leader, Inclusion Support Coordinators, Mental Health Wellbeing Leaders (Years P-6), Inclusion Workers and an Inclusion Administration Assistant.  The Inclusion Team works closely with the College Nurse, College Wellbeing Team, mentor teachers, education support staff, CALD staff, Allied Health practitioners and DET Student Support Services. 

As a College we embrace our diversity, boasting a proud cohort of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) students and a large First Nation student population. The College supports the needs of students through a structured English as an Additional Language program (EAL) and through implementation of the Marrung Strategy.

Our vision is to instill community commitment, confidence and high expectations in lifelong learning by:

¿       Constructing curriculum, pedagogy and teacher professionalism to achieve above expected outcomes for all students at each stage of learning

¿       Developing students who are highly employable with values of resilience, optimism, self-respect and who strive for personal best

¿       Developing young people who are engaged, motivated and challenged to fulfil their potential

¿       Maximising educational opportunities and creating purposeful and diverse pathways for all students

¿       Developing partnerships with other schools, community organisations and business

Northern Bay College is characterised by school values inspired by student voice:

Growth

The College has a shared community commitment to support every child to grow academically and emotionally. With a growth culture we celebrate improvements in skills, engagement, outcomes, and participation.

Collaboration

We value positive actions and relationships across the College that increase our collective potential for improvement. Actively working together supports our goal to better improve outcomes in learning, health, and participation.

Persistence

Our College communities share expectations to continue to pursue our goals and outcomes, even if challenging or when it takes time and energy. We seek solutions and strategies to ensure our ongoing improvement.

Kindness

Our College encourages all members of our community to model and interact with each other in a positive and respectful manner. As students, staff, and families we operate with a kindness mindset, encouraging and developing an inclusive and diverse community.

In Summary

We want a college where learning is visible and where students feel safe, respected by staff, believed in by staff, listened to by staff and taught by knowledgeable, capable and enthusiastic teachers.

SC1    Capacity to undertake support tasks in the classroom necessary for EAL students to be successful learners.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in English with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.

SC3    Demonstrated proficiency in a school setting using office systems, educational platforms, software and technical equipment as relevant to the position.

SC4    Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.

SC5    A commitment to professional learning and growth.

The main duty of a Multicultural Education Aide (MEA) at Northern Bay College is to support EAL (English as an Additional Language) students from a range of language and cultural backgrounds in their classrooms. The support given by MEAs is under the direct supervision of EAL Coordinator. MEAs may be required to work across a number of different campuses.

An MEA is required to:

• Assist the school community with matters concerning communication between Northern Bay College and speakers of specific language backgrounds as outlined in the position itself.
• Assist Swahili speaking students, individually or in groups, at Northern Bay College to understand specific information in their given language.
• Assist Northern Bay College staff to welcome and enrol speakers of Swahili languages so that they feel included and able to approach the school for matters which may be of concern to them.
• Attend regular meetings with the EAL Coordinator and EAL teaching staff, in order to develop skills for student assistance.
•  Assist and provide routine support for EAL Coordinator, classroom teachers and EAL students as appropriate
• Under the direction of the EAL Coordinator, assist with classroom activities and excursions
• Provide basic curriculum support resources for EAL students at the direction of the class teacher
• Provide support in the use of learning technologies to EAL students as required as part of the class program
• Assisting teachers to understand the home cultures and the expectations families have of the school and of education in general
• Assisting newly arrived families in their settlement into the new educational community
• Work closely with MEA team and support their work
• Data entry as required using specific technology platforms such as Compass and Google docs.
• Communicate with EAL students about comprehension of tasks and information
• Provide liaison between EAL parents and the school where appropriate
• Support the parents of our NBC EAL students develop understandings of the school system and how they might best support their young people
• Support families to assist the literacy development of individual students at home
• Support and promote EAL related Celebration Days across all campuses

MEAs are able to assist with:

• Effective communication between students and teachers in the classroom
• Integrating EAL learners into school activities by helping them to understand school expectations and goals
• Assisting newly arrived families to settle into the school community.
• Assist individual EAL students or groups of students in mainstream or EAL classes
• Provide teachers with insights into students¿ cultural backgrounds and experiences
• Assist with activities and excursions
• Contribute cultural perspectives to curriculum content to make it more relevant to all students
• Assist with the input of enrolment paperwork of new EAL students
• Prepare simple (low-risk) written information for parents, such as notes, notices or basic information about the school.
• Assist with communication between parents and the school
• Foster links between families and the school
• Provide liaison between parents, community organisations and other school staff
• Inform the school about family circumstances (with the family¿s permission) that may impact on student learning

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

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).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 *** or email on: **********@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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• 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

• 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