Science 7-10

Grovedale College is a medium sized College with an enrolment of 700 plus students located in a semi rural setting serving the southern suburbs of Geelong, together with the rural and surf coast communities to the south, east and west. Extensive educational resources enable Grovedale College to provide an academic focus together with many Arts, Sciences, Sports and Technology opportunities. VCE enhancement subjects, VCAL and VET Courses, provide many new opportunities for University and TAFE studies and exciting pathways to the future. Excellence, achievement and improvement are central to all College programs. Grovedale College operates the Grovedale P – 12 Deaf Facility in conjunction with Grovedale West Primary School.

In recent years a multi million dollar-building program has provided the College with excellent physical resources. Such resources enable us to enhance our programs and deliver an exciting, challenging and fulfilling experience. Our facilities include a state of the art computer network linking all classrooms, computer pods, a computerized Library Resource Centre, Senior School Study Centre, Technology Wing, Visual and Performing Arts Studios, Gymnasium, Fitness Centre, sports ovals and courts.

The Arts/Technology facilities and some general purpose classrooms have benefited from a $3 million upgrade. The design for these new facilities is based on a pedagogy best described as interactive experiential leaning (ieLearning). Our new Language/Learning Centre has been designed around our focus on collaborative learning.

Ongoing curriculum reform and refinement has resulted in structural change such as the creation of two sub schools, the introduction of a Home group Program, compact teacher teams and most importantly a series of initiatives based around the concepts of active curriculum, higher order thinking and a multidisciplinary approach to planning and learning. The success of these programs provides strategies and examples of success on which the pedagogy of interactive experiential learning can utilise and extend.

At Grovedale our approaches to Teaching and Learning recognize that students and staff must be able to use computers and electronic learning technologies with confidence and understanding to enhance their teaching and learning as well as their ability to participate in evolving information technologies. The use of learning technologies in the classroom is a priority at Grovedale. All students and staff have access to extensive College computer resources including the College Intranet/Gateway and the Internet. A combination of eLearning devices are used compulsorily across the College.

Sport is prominent in the life of Grovedale College. An extensive interschool and house sport program provide students with the opportunity to develop personal skills and fitness and to enjoy the benefits of teamwork in a spirit of healthy competition. Our unique location and proximity to the Surf Coast, Corio Bay, Port Phillip Bay and the Otway Ranges allows for a comprehensive outdoor education and excursions program to operate. Surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, body boarding, windsurfing, bike riding, horse riding, rock climbing and lifesaving are all part of the program. The development of the Grovedale Education and Sporting Precinct coupled with the introduction in 2005 of a Sports Academy program provides students with the opportunity to pursue an elite sports pathway. The Precinct is indicative of strong community based links.

The College successfully participates in Public Speaking programs, Inter-School Debating and Australian subject competitions that include English, Mathematics, Science, Arts and Technology.   Student leadership is an integral part of our school culture. An active leadership program exposes students to challenges, which develop personal and social skills, confidence, initiative and self-reliance. This is achieved through a broad range of activities such as Student Council, Peer Helpers, Supportive Friends and camps program. The College also conducts an Advance Program at Year 10. Performing Arts are well catered for in the College, with performance opportunities in workshops, GAFFA and production.

College Leadership programs have been enhanced by staff and students working with Leading Teams and refining the College based implementation. Performance and Development Culture is a Grovedale College priority. Regular formal and informal feedback is provided to staff members. The College Leadership Team meets weekly to oversee the College vision and its implementation. A culture of continuous improvement, accountability and of high level instructional leadership is an expectation of all staff.

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

SC6 Demonstrated ability to work in teams to develop, implement and assess curriculum.

The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2.  The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes.  The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning. 

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2
Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.

A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.

Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:
- Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
- Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
- Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
- Supervise and train one or more student teachers
- Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1
The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs.  Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities. 
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice.  New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.

The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

• Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;
• Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;
• Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;
• Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;
• Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

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.

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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

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.