Teacher Aide

Hillsmeade Primary School is situated in Narre Warren South, 52 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.   All 835 children are valued within a supportive and stimulating school environment where each child is encouraged to reach his/her potential.

OUR MOTTO: Growing & Learning Together

OUR MISSION: To provide a caring, safe and supportive learning environment for children to learn.

OUR VISION: At Hillsmeade Primary School, we aim to continually grow and learn together by:

·         supporting individual abilities and excellence in academic achievement,

·         celebrating diverse backgrounds and cultures, and

·         becoming global citizens prepared for the needs and expectations of our ever changing society.

Hillsmeade PS have developed a strong culture around the `I RESPECT¿ values of Integrity, Responsibility, Enthusiastic, Successful, Persistence, Encouraging, Courageous and Teamwork.  We encourage the development of independence, active participation and leadership within the school and wider community.  The school has a medium proportion of students with English as an Additional Language.

Hillsmeade PS is 2.5 years into the school¿s 4 year Strategic Plan. The overarching strategic goals are:

1.       Maximise learning outcomes for all students

2.       Maximise student engagement

3.       Maximise student wellbeing and inclusion

Moving forward there will be a clear direction for maintaining the upward trend of overall student achievement and the wellbeing of our students, in conjunction with the introduction of FISO 2.0.

In 2023 the AIP goals are focussed on the DE priority that in 2023 we will continue to focus on student learning - with an increased focus on numeracy - and student wellbeing.

The AIP Key Improvement Strategies in 2023 are:

1.       Learning ¿ support both those who need scaffolding and those who have thrived to continue to extend their learning, especially in numeracy we will continue to focus on student learning - with an increased focus on numeracy and

2.       Wellbeing ¿ Effectively mobilise available resources to support students¿ wellbeing and mental health, especially the most vulnerable.

Hillsmeade also offers a wide variety of specialist programs including Physical Education, Visual Art, STEM, Digital Technologies/Media Arts, Mandarin, Music and Performing Arts. A range of extra curricula activities are also offered to accommodate the diverse interests, passions and talents evident in our students.

Our Early Learning Centre caters for 3 to 5 year old children with Kindergarten and Long Day Care. Out of School Hours Care Program provides further community support for our families. Parent participation on school council, as classroom helpers, kindergarten helpers, in curriculum events and fundraising activities, is a vital part of school life.

This school has 80.7 equivalent full time staff including 58 teachers and 27 Education Support staff.  Staffing for the Early Learning Centre is included in these figures. The kindergarten teachers are part of a professional learning team and participate in all our classroom teacher professional development and staff meetings. Kindergarten is another year level of the school and fully integrated.

Hillsmeade Primary School is committed to providing a child-friendly environment where children feel safe and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.

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.

This position is for 18 hours/week: 3 days/week, 6 hours/day between start-of-day and end-of-day bells.

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.

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 (the department) 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).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the department. Mobile: 0477 726 *** or email on: **********@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.

This vacancy is specifically linked to Student Support Funding and is ongoing. If the funding reduces or ceases during the first seven years of employment, employment may cease subject to the provision of at least 12 weeks’ notice.