AddressEstablished in 1919 Dandenong High School is one of the oldest, largest and most culturally diverse secondary schools in the state. It is situated in the South East Region in Dandenong, a low socio economic community (SFO density 0.72) with a high refugee population. The school has over 1500 students and is highly multicultural with 78 nationalities and 80 different language groups represented. In 2008 Dandenong High School merged with two other schools in the local community and is currently undergoing a major school redevelopment and a $45 million dollar funding program.
In order to ensure that students develop a ¿sense of belonging¿ and connectedness to the school, the school has a unique structure housing its students in 7 House building on one site. Each House holds 250 students from Years 7 ¿ 12, 25 teaching staff, a House Leadership team of 3 and an administration officer. Students in Years 7 ¿ 10 learn primarily in the House in architecturally designed learning spaces.
The school has an innovative approach to curriculum with a collaborative learning model in Years 7 ¿ 9. Students learn in groups of 50 with teams of 3 teachers and electronic curriculum frameworks are available for each subject and Year level. There is a focus on discovery based learning, problem solving and inquiry and students are encouraged to be independent learners who are self-motivated and curious about the world around them.
Dandenong High school has an Accelerated Learning Program in years 7 ¿ 10 and offers a wide range of electives and extensive curriculum opportunities in the senior years. Students can select numerous Senior Certificate subjects and a number of VET options. The Trade Training Centre on the Chisholm TAFE site provides the opportunity for Year 9 - 10 students to select industry tasters in state of the art facilities.
Student leadership is a high priority. The school encourages an active student voice with leadership opportunities at each year level and a comprehensive leadership program offered in Years 10 ¿ 12. Students can also participate in a range of sporting and performing arts opportunities through the House Shield competition including; chorales, swimming and athletics. Each year there is a Performing Arts Gala, an annual production, a lunchtime activities program implemented by student leaders.
KSC1 University level qualifications and/or experience in Student Support Services, youth work, or a relevant welfare field.
KSC2 Understanding of and the demonstrated ability to implement common approaches, policies, programs and research relating to student wellbeing, including the use of restorative practice to resolve conflict and restore relationships.
KSC3 Demonstrated ability in the delivery of student and family wellbeing services and programs in a real setting and preferably experience working within schools in the area of student wellbeing.
KSC4 Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and network with the wide range of people within the education and the wider community.
KSC5 Experience in the development and delivery of proactive programs to develop optimism, resilience, organisational skills, leadership, health and wellbeing and interpersonal skills in adolescents.
KSC6 Personal qualities of integrity and loyalty and a demonstrated ability to work in a demanding environment that requires adaptability.
KSC7 Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse multi-cultural community preferred.
KSC8 Experience in Education Support Services desirable.
Demonstrate ability to undertake individual support and counselling for students and families.
Demonstrated capacity to work effectively, under minimal direction within the school as a member of the Wellbeing Team. This requiring the ability to identify students¿ needs and to implement appropriate strategies
Collaborate with school staff, the Wellbeing Team and support agencies to develop and initiate a range of programs that foster resilience, enhance social, emotional and educational skills, and build strong, positive working relationships.
Provide high quality advice and support to the school community, in the development and implementation of programs, procedures and policies on the wellbeing of students. .
Establish and maintain links with School networks, School Nurse and relevant support agencies with a view to optimising and coordinating service provision to students at risk.
Support the implementation of the Dandenong High School Student Engagement and Wellbeing Policy.
Possess high level oral and written communication skills and the qualifications and technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
As a member of the Wellbeing Team provide high quality counselling services and work to develop, initiate and implement a range of programs and strategies that respond to the needs of students and their families.
Work within the whole school community to support students and their families and increase their connectedness to the School.
Contribute to the development of a whole school approach to student engagement and wellbeing and a positive and secure school environment.
Whole school responsibility as Wellbeing liaison for Indigenous students.
As a member of the Wellbeing Team work collaboratively to provide co-ordinated and effective student case co-ordination.
Work collaboratively within the Wellbeing Team to provide co-ordinated and effective student case co-ordination.
Support staff and teaching teams
Assist the Leadership Team with and management of critical incidents and emergency situations.
In consultation with the relevant member of the Leadership Team, report cases of risk to relevant authorities and follow DET requirements.
Conduct school based meetings with students and parents.
Assist families to access appropriate relief agencies. eg. State School Relief, Smith Family.
Provide feedback and advice to staff on the wellbeing of students referred within the relevant privacy laws.
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
Preferably all applicants should submit a cover letter CV and Key Selection Criteria response as one attached document on Recruitment On-Line
