Classroom Teacher

Established in 1918, Warracknabeal Secondary College is a rural government school based in the prosperous country town in the heart of Victoria's wheat-belt. Due to the closest secondary college being at least 40 kilometres away, Warracknabeal Secondary College services an extensive rural community in the Yarriambiack Shire. Warracknabeal has approximately 2500 residents, which is situated 60 kilometres north of Horsham (population of approximately 15,000). The town is situated on the Henty Highway, by the gum-lined banks of Yarriambiack Creek. The town's name derives from an Aboriginal expression relating to the large red gums along the creek. It is approximately a four hour drive from Melbourne.

We are a vision oriented school, with an owned mission and values. We aim to empower students who come to Warracknabeal Secondary College to ‘be able to choose a life that has meaning’.

We reinforce our values of Honesty, Respect, Resilience, Excellence, and Perseverance through awarding students with Young Achiever Awards for displaying these values. Being part of a close community, both within the town and the school results in a strong relationship centered education based on high expectations of behaviour and learning.

In 2017, there are approximately 200 fulltime students enrolled. Most of our students live in town with approximately 30% arriving by bus across five bus routes. There is a strong sporting culture in the school, with many students and staff playing at the local football and netball club, and there is a local gym. Other sports offered in Warracknabeal include:

• basketball
• field hockey
• roller derby
• boxing
• tennis
• cricket
• golf
• table tennis
• swimming

We are committed to a rigorous and diverse curriculum for those with academic and/or practical pathways. Year 7-9 is based on the Vicotiran Curriculum. Year 7 & 8 students study Art, Technology (wood, metal, textiles, and food), Media, Drama, and Japanese. Year 9 electives include Automotive, Art (painting and drawing), Cooking, Energy Breakthrough, Japanese, and Photo Journalism.  Students also have the opportunity to modify their timetable with other classes to support their individual pathway.

In the senior years we are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible. We run a three year VCE program, beginning in Year 10, in order to increase subject options for students. We usually have small Year 12 classes (as few as two students), or we support students doing virtual classes or subjects by distance.

For the students following a practical pathway, we have a rigorous VCAL program with strong links with the local community for work placements.  VET is operated out of Horsham which provides many opportunities to prepare for the workforce, however we also run a local VET most years. When required, we run a Satellite VCAL program for those students who need a more flexible and adult learning environment, which is run out of the Neighbourhood House.

Warracknabeal Secondary College has a strong commitment to consistent teaching and learning practices based on the ‘Powerful Learning’ strategies. Most lessons have clear ‘learning intentions’  to help students focus on what they are learning, rather than what they are doing. We use data to inform our decisions, both at a strategic level and at a classroom level. The school has clear expectations of student behaviour, which means there is an established calm learning environment in classes.

ICT is embedded through the curriculum, as the school has a BYOD(bring your own device) policy. We extensively use Edmodo for sharing of information, communicating with students and parents, as well as submitting work and publishing results.

Each classroom is fitted with an interactive whiteboard enhancing learning opportunities. The buildings, whilst rather old, cater for a larger student population, resulting in students being able to spread out and have access to large classrooms. In 2016 the school obtained a funding allocation of $4 million to begin the relocation to the Primary School site along with the SDS.  This 'Education Precinct' will begin Stage 1 construction in late 2017 or early 2018.

Our grounds are extensive and are maintained by the employment of a team of gardeners from a community group and a locally employed person. We also have a Hands on Learning group that operates where students give back to the College and the community through practical improvements.

SC1         Demonstrated understanding of initiatives in student learning including the Standards, the Principles of Learning and Teaching P-12 and Assessment and Reporting Advice and the capacity to implement and evaluate learning and teaching programs in accordance with the Victorian curriculum.

SC2         Demonstrated high level classroom teaching skills and the capacity to work with colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.

SC3         Demonstrated ability to monitor and assess student learning data and to use this data to inform teaching for improved student learning.

SC4         Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills and high level interpersonal skills including the capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with parents, other employees and the broader school community to focus on student learning, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5         Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values, including a commitment and capacity to actively contribute to and manage major curriculum or student activities and a commitment to continually improving teaching quality and capacity through the application of knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional development and learning.

The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

- Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;

- Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;

- Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;

- Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;

- Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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

• 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.