Teacher Aide

Diamond Creek is a growing residential area north of Melbourne that still has the charming attributes of a rural township.  Diamond Creek Primary School is situated in the heart of Diamond Creek. The school has occupied the site since 1870 and boasts a rich history of education within the area.  The school’s original building has been refurbished making it a metaphoric embodiment of the school’s motto, ‘where tradition meets the future’. The hillside site combines bushland with natural play areas for all age groups. The school is part of a strong committed community that supports the school in many ways.  DCPS enjoys a close association with many schools in the area through sporting events or curriculum networks.

The current enrolment is 260 and it is expected that this number will increase over the coming years. The establishment of a preschool on site and the opening up of land for local residential development will enhance the prospect of increased enrolments. The school features a happy and relaxed community atmosphere that fosters a strong partnership between students, staff, parents and local community. 

Staff are employed at a range of time fractions to suit the requirements of the students and the curriculum programs available at the school.  DCPS is committed to attracting, developing and retaining staff of a high caliber and to the development of a strong staff team.  The major emphasis by staff is on the treatment of each child as an individual.  The enhancement of students learning is of highest priority.  There is an expectation that all children, staff and parents work together to achieve the school goals for the benefit of all.

The caring, professional staff value all children and are dedicated to providing an excellent curriculum and high quality resources. This is supported with a high parent participation in all aspects of school life, including a wide variety of classroom programs, more formal school operations including School Council and PFT and informal school activities such as working bees and social occasions. 

Diamond Creek Primary School provides a comprehensive curriculum in all learning areas.  A belief that all children can and will learn with the right encouragement, is central to all planning.  Innovative teaching practices are developed to meet the needs of the children.

The policies and programs that articulate the school’s philosophy are subject to regular review and revision. Teachers across grade levels meet regularly to plan and evaluate teaching programs.  Integrated units are planned on a term basis.

An increasing strength in recent years has been our Performing Arts program.  Additional programs offered by the school include Italian - Prep-6, Visual Arts, Junior School Council, School Concert and Literacy intervention

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.

The hours for this role will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 12:30pm 

 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.

• Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
• Supports communication between teachers and parents
• Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
• Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
• Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
• Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
• Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
• Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
• Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
• Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille

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