AddressLowanna is a vibrant and well-resourced Victorian Government 7-12 Secondary College with a student population of just less than one thousand. It is situated in a large, attractive setting adjacent to bushland in the township of Newborough. Lowanna College is the only secondary school in the Moe-Newborough community drawing enrolments from the local area and outlying rural townships.
Newborough is approximately 130 kilometres east of central Melbourne located in picturesque central Gippsland. The area is surrounded by rolling hills and is only an hour’s drive to the snowfields of Mt Baw Baw and the beaches of South Gippsland. The region offers a wide variety of sporting activities and facilities such as golf, basketball, soccer, mountain bike riding and water skiing.
The College staffing profile consists of:
- Principal
- Assistant Principals (4)
- Leading Teachers (3)
- Learning Specialists (4)
- Business Manager
- Operations Manager
- 53.8 EFT teaching staff
- 22.4 EFT Education Support staff
The College is divided into three mini schools of between 300-400 students, Junior School – Years 7 & 8, Middle School -Years 9 &10 and Senior School – Years 11 & 12. Each is managed by a team consisting of a Leading Teacher, a Student Advocate, a Student Support Officer and an administrative assistant who, in conjunction with all staff, are focused on the education and wellbeing of every student.
The College boasts modern facilities set in a pleasant learning and teaching environment. The College has a large Auditorium, a 2-court Gymnasium, a Language Centre, a purpose built Year 12 Centre and an onsite Wellbeing Centre for reengaging students at risk and for those who have a range of personal issues.
Lowanna offers a wide and varied curriculum and access to a vast array of extra–curricular activities that enhance student learning and sets the College apart from other schools in the area. The curriculum includes a core program for Junior School students, a core and elective program for Middle School students and multiple options for Senior School students with VCE, VCAL and VETiS. Year 10 students are able to accelerate their learning by accessing the full range of VCE subjects in Year 10.
Students are provided with a stimulating and enriched learning environment where the Arts, Science, Technology, Physical Education and Food subjects are all key components in a student’s learning. Further intertwined with the academic subjects are Lowanna’s Sports Excellence Program, a newly developing Music Excellence Program, a growing International Program and a long standing Outdoor Education Program. Lowanna has been instrumental in assisting with the development of the Gippsland Technical College that provides all students from Lowanna other Latrobe Valley Schools with exposure to innovative resources and technology. Students at all year levels have access to this school.
As well as offering two languages, Italian and Indonesian, the college also has an established relationship with Melbourne University and the Confucius Classroom, hosting a Chinese teacher who works at Lowanna and local primary schools. Lowanna has strong ongoing partnerships with Monash University, Federation University and Federation Training. Students participate in a variety of programs from Year 7 to 12 that enable them to gain insights into numerous pathways.
The College has close links with the other secondary schools in the Latrobe Valley. In 2014, this group collectively established the Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Option (LVFLO). The campus is designed to reengage students in their schooling and move back into the secondary school environment.
The entire Lowanna staff team work diligently to continue to improve outcomes for students and to maintain a strong sense of community within the College.
SC1 Demonstrated experience and skills in coordinating a specific education support function.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to supervise the work of other support staff and to develop procedures and guidelines relating to the work area.
SC3 Demonstrated high level oral and written communication skills.
SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management in respect to the work area.
SC6 Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
No additional attendance is required for this position
Performs and/or supervises tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice and school policy. This may include the supervision and coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program. Supervision and coordination would be limited to ensuring routine tasks are performed to required standards. Input into identifying training needs and development of education support class staff within the work area or educational program becomes an important feature at range 2.
Specialised support to achieve specific outcomes is a feature of range 2. Typically this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the operation of a work area (e.g. managing the day to day operation of a school office) under the direction of the principal or another senior manager.
Provides support to teachers and students that is beyond the routine support provided at education support class Level 1, range 1. Within an educational program assists teachers with the coordination of the support function, such as directing/organising the work of other support staff or providing a specialist support role.
Undertakes medical intervention support tasks or other specialised student/teacher support roles that require specific training that must be updated from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
Performs technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science and information technology laboratories would be typical examples.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
- Provides coordination support to teachers through rostering of the work of a team of aides, including supervision and guidance
- Conducts routine presentations to parents to assist teachers in communicating objectives and outcomes relating to educational outcomes and/or students
- Liaise with external providers of support services
- Provide medical intervention support that involves a specific medical condition approved by the Department, requires specialised training/instruction that requires regular updating and has clearly defined responsibility for the administration of such support
- Investigate incidents of poor student behaviour within or outside of the College and take appropriate action within College behaviour guidelines
- Support and monitor College student uniform guidelines
- Support the wellbeing and engagement of students, liaising with parents and outside agencies as required
- Attend and contribute to relevant meetings
- Act as a positive role model for students, upholding our College values, vision and behaviour norms
- Other duties as directed by the Mini School Leader or Executive Team
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of 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
- This position has a starting date of 15/07/2024 but is open to negotiation between the successful applicant and the Junior School Leader.
- 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
