Teacher Aide - 0.6

Context

Upper Yarra Secondary College is located in Yarra Junction in the Yarra Valley, 65 kilometres from Melbourne. Our current enrolment is 515.  Many of our students travel extensive distances to attend school from outer rural communities. The College is well regarded for supporting its students with a safe, healthy and supportive environment that nurtures self-esteem, leadership qualities, talent, curiosity and optimism for the future, providing them with a base to become responsible members of the college and the broader community. Our students come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, with an SFO of 0.67.

The College leadership profile includes 3 Leading Teachers (Junior, Middle and Senior-Sub-School). The college staff supports our students by working in year level teams led by a Team leader.  The teams are responsible for overseeing curriculum, pedagogy and wellbeing and student management for students within their Year Level.  We have a strong wellbeing team and run a Youth Clinic one day per week, and work on a five day timetable consisting of five 58 minute periods.

We provide a range of curriculum choices including VCE, VET and VCAL that support pathways to a wide range of destinations including Universities, TAFE, apprenticeships and employment. Students develop close relationships with staff via daily contact in our Year Level Teams approach.   Student leadership is promoted within a range of opportunities within the college, in SRC, College Captains, Peer Support, Duke of Ed and Sports Leadership programs.

Innovation and Future Directions

1. The College completed their review in 2017 with future directions being linked to Literacy and Numeracy, community engagement and promotion of high expectations in all areas of the College. 

2.  A model of Inquiry Learning developed at Upper Yarra Secondary College is now well established in Year 7 and 8.   FLIP (Future Learners Inquiry Program) has elements of an Open Plan learning environment, closer attachments of fewer teaching staff for more time with students, an integrated inquiry based approach to curriculum delivery and enhanced processes that focus on more personalised learning for students through engagement of activities that relate to a variety of learning styles.

3. Innovations in reading and writing programs including Independent Reading, Readers and Writers Workshops have been developed and are having an impact on teaching practice and student engagement and achievement.  A Sharing Classrooms program has also had an impact on improving pedagogy.  Teachers engage in Professional Learning Teams and via the focus on research outcomes employ strategies discussed into classroom practice in an Action Research model.

SC1    Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.

SC3    Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

SC4    Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.

SC5    A commitment to professional learning and growth.

[Attendance requirement for this position]

Undertakes routine tasks that are usually 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.

Work has little scope for deviation. Problems can usually be solved by reference to well documented procedures and instructions and clearly established practices.  Deviation from established procedures will require reference to others for guidance and direction.  Assistance is readily available when problems arise.  An experienced employee at range 1 will exercise limited judgement within clearly defined guidelines and well established practices that relate specifically to the tasks performed.

Does not carry responsibility for the work of others.  More experienced employees will provide basic guidance and advice to others relating to tasks within the work area.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.  Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Qualification requirements do not operate at range 1.  Certification requirements may be required to legally perform specific tasks - e.g. driver's licence, first aid, safe food handling.

-    Assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas.
-    Assist with the communication between students and teachers, particularly the interpretation of instructions.
-    Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.
-    Participate in team meetings.
-    Assist with toileting, meals, lifting, and administration of medication to students requiring special care.
-    Assist with the supervision of pupils in playgrounds, at camps, on excursions, in sporting activities, therapy activities and life skills.
-    Assist in the preparation of student resources and equipment.
-    Prepare basic curriculum support resources.
-    Set up and put away equipment and materials in support of teaching programs.
-    Observe students and draw the attention of the teacher to them where necessary.
-    Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student involvement and achievement.
-    Assist with communication between teachers and non-English speaking parents/students.
-    Assist in the translation of documents.
-    Assist students with the preparation and service of meals.
-    Ensure work areas and materials, equipment and appliances are maintained in a clean and ready to use condition.
-    Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required.

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

Applicants are reminded that they need to supply a CV and the names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses of three referees.

The criteria must be addressed.

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.