Teacher Aide

AvocaAvoca PSPrimary School is set in the rural township of AvocaAvoca, at the intersection of the Pyrenees and Sunraysia Highways, approximately 70 kilometres from the nearest regional city of Ballarat.  The town¿s population is approximately 1500.  Over the past few years industry and private enterprise in the township and surrounding area has declined, which has encouraged some families to move from Avoca in the search of employment.  The growing wine and tourism industries provide seasonal employment for many families.

Avoca Primary School has a current enrolment of 101 students who are drawn from the township and surrounding areas, with the majority of students travelling to school by private car.  A school bus service is available to those students who live outside the town boundaries.    Prior to attending Avoca Primary School, the majority of students attend the local kindergarten, and graduating students from Avoca attend secondary school in Maryborough, approximately 25 kilometres to the east.

Over the past three years Avoca Primary School enrolments have remained steady around 105 students in 2023. It is likely to remain between 100-110 students for the next few years.  There are a similar number of boys and girls at each year level and a limited no of students who come from non-English speaking backgrounds. The proportion of families in receipt of the CSEF is about 50%.   There are 3 students on the Disability Inclusion Program.

Current school staffing includes the Principal, five classroom teachers, four specialist staff (AUSLAN, Art, Music and Science), a School Services Officer (admin), an SSO who oversees the STAP Speech program and 4 part-time integration aides. The staff are working exceptionally well as a team and support each other professionally and personally.

Avoca Primary School consists of a main building which is Heritage Victoria listed and houses two classrooms, the administration area and the staff room. A BER building that houses four classrooms. The buildings surround a courtyard, in which weekly assemblies, school BBQ¿s and simple performances are held.  The oval, two playgrounds, sandpit, basketball court, bat tennis courts and a quiet area make up the remainder of the playground.  Many favourable comments from visitors are received in regard to our beautiful buildings and grounds and the general atmosphere of welcome, inclusion and cheerfulness at our school.

In organising the curriculum, teachers work and plan regularly together.  Specialist instruction is given in the areas of Science/Technology, phys ed and Auslan.  To compliment the key learning areas, Avoca Primary School also provides students with additional experiences through an extensive camping and excursions program, Literature Groups, an extensive sporting program including swimming and athletics.

The level of parent support is heartening, with parents helping regularly in the classroom, on School Council and assisting on camps and excursions.  The Parents¿ and Friends¿ Club has a small band of enthusiastic parents who coordinate fundraising.

SC1  Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.

SC2  Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3  Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including 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 and other school staff in respect to the work area.

SC6  A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

[Attendance requirement for this position]

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken 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.
• 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 would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

• Supports the first aid facilities and assists in delivering first aid to students
• Undertakes administrative procedures associated with:
  • delivery of various health, counselling, wellbeing and therapeutic services to a school(s)
  • health assessments
  • delivery of health and wellbeing education and promotion programs in collaboration with school community
  • provision of follow-up service for students
  • medical alerts and specific medical conditions

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

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

• 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