Outdoor Education Head Of Program

Job Description
Wesley College Melbourne, a school of the Uniting Church, established in 1866, is one of Australia's leading and most respected co-educational independent schools. With an enrolment of 3,400 students from ECLC to Year 12, it comprises three metropolitan campuses in Melbourne, at St Kilda Road, Glen Waverley and Elsternwick, Outdoor Education sites at Chum Creek, Mallana, Lochend and a Year 9 residential campus at Clunes.
In addition to the Melbourne based campuses, Wesley College offers a remarkable sequence of outdoor experiences that we carefully layer into our school program from Years 3 to 10. All programs in this sequence share two educational aims. Firstly, we want our students to experience life within a caring and careful community - communal relationships and actions are defining and fundamental aspects of human existence. Secondly, we want our students to experience the delight of the natural world.
Our Chum Creek property is a hardtop camp on 300 acres of bushland, located in the Yarra Valley near Healesville. In the forests and foothills of the Central Highlands, this region is important, beautiful and bountiful. With close proximity to Melbourne, the place makes it a very accessible location for Years 3, 4, 5 and 7 programs, which focus on feeling comfortable within the natural environment, understanding ecological concepts, and introducing ways to enjoy the forests within the site.
As a residential position, this is a golden opportunity for a VIT registered Outdoor Education Head of Program commencing in mid-2024 for a full-time temporary contract (leave replacement) Term 3.
The Outdoor Education Head of Program is required to plan and implement all Outdoor Education activities associated with the annual camp for each home room group and to manage the operation of the campsite. The Outdoor Education Program aims to link students to the natural world, through:

• The use of vivid landscapes.
• Teaching basic outdoor skills.
• Encouraging environmental awareness and action.

In making this appointment, the College is seeking applicants who, among other qualities, can demonstrate:

• A current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration (which incorporates Working With Children Check and National Police Checks) is an essential requirement for this role

• Safe, effective management of groups in the bush, including the management of appropriate contingency plans.
• A contemporary understanding of learning theory.
• A preparedness to stretch the students intellectually, while supporting them in environmental education experiences.
• Knowledge and understanding of adolescents.
• A willingness to work in a team, recognise that this position is residential and that they will be required to stay on site during program times. A room is provided in the homestead for staff, but this is not a permanent residence.

This is your opportunity to shine in a learning environment that will reward your love of learning and thinking. We provide extensive professional development and individual mentoring, as well as a range of attractive employment benefits.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday 19 February 2024.
Applications will only be received via the College's online recruitment system via our website. We do not accept applications received via email. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may commence prior to the application close time.
Wesley College is a child safe employer and is committed to the welfare of children and their protection. All potential employees and volunteers will be required to comply with the School's Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct. Applicants will be required to undergo police and background checks in accordance with this policy.
Recruitment Agencies - thank you for thinking of us, however we do endeavour to fill our opportunities through direct channels wherever possible. If we find that we do need agency assistance, we'll be in touch.