AddressAt Rockbank Primary School we are invested in our students, our staff, our families and our community. We pride ourselves on being a fabulous staff team who are passionate, who work together positively and collaboratively to make Rockbank Primary School the best school to work in and grow our students academically to their highest potential. Coupled with this we relentlessly promote and support the development of student¿s social and emotional wellbeing.
At Rockbank Primary School we share a student-centred approach. There is strong support for children with additional needs with the school employing a Mental Health in Primary Schools Inclusion Leader to coordinate supportive structures such as our Social Skills and Social Emotional Learning Programs. There is also a dedicated Wellbeing space to support all our students. Our current Leadership structure includes a Principal, Assistant Principal who leads the Wellbeing program, a Curriculum Learning Specialist and Wellbeing Learning Specialist who implement a Mentoring/Coaching/Peer Observation program with staff to build teacher capacity. We are the Rockbank Primary School Team!
At Rockbank Primary School we celebrate student learning, achievements, accomplishments and growth. We are a school that value relationships as we continue to focus on and build a sense of team and community that develop the culture we are proud of. Rockbank Primary School has well established resources and programs and we continue to strengthen and build upon our resources as our team expands and changes, bring new skills and expertise.
We are a leading school that values our staff and fully supports the implementation of the 2022 VGSA. The leadership team are proactive in all areas across the school, and these practices are valued by our staff. We model `life-long learning¿ for our students at Rockbank Primary School, and as our students, WE GROW OUR STAFF TO BE GREAT! The opportunity for staff to be life-long learners is encouraged and supported by leadership, with the option of study leave to support a range of courses undertaken to build teacher capacity to improve student outcomes.
Staff participate in ongoing Professional Learning Communities focussed on student improvement using data analysis to determine Individual Student Goals. All students at Rockbank Primary School have an Individual Education Plan.
Our students benefit from the `Lunchtime Clubs¿ that are provided by both our teachers and ES team. We provide: Choir, Tech/ICT Club, Art Club, Community Crusaders ¿ The Garden Club, skipping, music/dance, quiet drawing and games.
Rockbank Primary School is located in the old township of Rockbank adjacent to the Western Highway. The school was opened in 1868 and has a current enrolment of 380 in 2023, with this number rising steadily with the growth in this suburb. The school moved to its current location in 2009. The Rockbank Primary School motto 'Nurture. Believe. Achieve.' highlights the school's commitment to catering for the diverse needs of our students. Our school values of respect, learning, togetherness and safety, guide our practice and ensure that students have a clear understanding of the expectations and culture of our school.
The school is developing a diverse cultural population as we continue to grow, which has been welcomed by an inclusive community. At Rockbank Primary School, we have developed an EAL framework to support students and families who have English as an Additional Language, which is supported by an EAL Coordinator and Multi-cultural Aide. In 2023 Rockbank PS our classroom structure consists of 16 classrooms, which includes: 4 Foundation classrooms, 5 x Year 1-2 classrooms, 5 x Year 3-4 classrooms and 2 x 5-6 classrooms.
The school has Specialist subjects in Physical Education, AUSLAN, STEM and The Arts. Rockbank PS is a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support School and is also an early adopter of the Respectful Relationships program. Our school also provides OT and Speech Therapy to support identified students. Our school values are used as common language and underpin every decision; with the values linked to our school wide expected behaviours which are represented on our school matrix. Our school wide house system is used to support a team approach to achieving success with Peacock, Harrison, Missen and Fisher all equally represented. Come and visit us, we welcome school tours for our prospective students, families and staff.
- Ability to implement a range of small group and whole-school mental health prevention and promotion activities aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing, including the delivery of capability building and awareness raising activities for staff and/or students on key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting the school’s student population.
- Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing prevention, promotion and early intervention.
- Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling support to clients with a range of mental health needs.
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.
- Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
- Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.
The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools. The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses and specialist school (with secondary-aged enrolments) settings.
Operating in collaboration with the relevant Department of Education Regional Mental Health Branch, this role has the following functions:
- Enhancing mental health prevention and promotion activities in the school by contributing to whole-school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to address matters relating to student mental health and wellbeing, and helping to develop and deliver appropriate programs and strategies in the school according to specified school priorities
- Providing early intervention services (including short-term counselling) for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns; and
- Coordinating supports for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health professionals to engage further support as required.
Education support class level 1 range 4
The successful applicant will be an experienced professional who will carry out their duties and responsibilities, relative to their professional discipline, with a high level of autonomy and with minimal reliance on professional supervision. The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and implementation of professional support programs within an educational environment, including guidance to other professional staff.
As an education support class position, this role supports the educational services being provided to students, but will not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).
For more information on the responsibilities of an Education Support class level 1 range 4 employee, please visit the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources
- Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes.
- Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention and promotion activities and early intervention activities (including short-term counselling) for students with a range of mental health needs, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
- Planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate to effectively manage risk.
- Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention and promotion across the school by contributing to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
- Liaising with other department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students.
- Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
- Meeting relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information, privacy and consent.
Please note: Continued professional development is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Required
- Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse, occupational therapist or counsellor of a prescribed class. Specifically:
- For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
- For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental health
- For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
- For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
- For Counsellors applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master of Counselling and be a practising member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Demonstrated direct counselling experience
- A current Working With Children Check.
Desirable
- For Psychology applicants, specialisation in educational and/or developmental psychology.
- For Mental Health Nurse applicants, holding a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
- For Social Work applicants, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
- For Occupational Therapy applicants, a Better Access to Mental Health Endorsement.
- For Counselling applicants, Level 3-4 registration (ACA) or a Registered Clinical Counsellor endorsement (PACFA).
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
