Woodwork/Technology Assistant

Parkdale Secondary College is a zoned school  located in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. It has a reputation as being  community focused and providing students with a safe, engaging and supportive learning environment where success for each student is paramount.  Parkdale Secondary College  provides a dynamic and stimulating learning journey. Each student is challenged to grow, develop their potential, become an active learner and  be an effective and caring member of the wider community.

The College vision, structure and programs are reflected in the Parkdale Building Block Framework; the Parkdale Principles -“5Ps”  - guide student expectations and  learning: Punctuality, Preparation, Purpose, Participation and Probity. The College’s Teaching and Learning framework is shaped by the Melbourne Declaration and enacts the DET and ACARA requirements.

Parkdale provides a diverse range of curriculum. Programs have grown over the past 5 years with the curricular and co-curricular offerings providing students more opportunities and options.

The Junior School – Year 7 and 8 - exposes students to a breadth of curriculum.  There is a focus on student connectedness, relationships, and collaboration. A small number of teachers work with the one tutor group for 2 years. Year 9 is the transition year with students undertaking discipline based units, four days of each week  with the CONNECT program operating each Wednesday. 

In Year 10, students begin their pathways program within the senior vertical timetable. Three distinct pathway programs operate in the senior school – Year 10/VCE, VCE + VET, Applied Learning/ VCAL/VET.  These programs are complemented by the Year 10 Learning Journeys program focusing on pathways, resilience and student connectedness and the VCE program including SACs, study approaches and pathways planning.

Students can also access the enhanced learning programs that are outside the traditional curriculum: the Arts Enhanced Program (AEP) in music and dance; the Elite Sports Program (ESP)– AFL, soccer, basketball, netball, triathlon, and golf; the Writing Is Necessary Program (WIN) and the Science, Technology Enhancement Program (STEP) with the themes of Dissections, Formula 1, Robotics and environmental investigations. The growth in these enhancement programs has been in response to student demand for high level program engagement.

A comprehensive Wellbeing Program based on authentic relationships with tutors and teachers is supported by a Wellbeing Team including a qualified Psychologist, counsellor and Wellbeing Officers.  

The College has strong links at the local, national and international level. We want  our students to develop a global perspective. Parkdale Secondary College has developed the Parkdale Community Precinct. This precinct includes indoor sporting facilities, theatre and performing arts areas,  Children’s Hub, external playing fields and car parks. A governance model has evolved through the cooperation of the partners – the City of Kingston, Mordialloc Community Centre and Parkdale Secondary College, with the model now a blueprint for other schools and local governments. The precinct caters for many thousands of community members each week.

The educational vision has been complemented by the upgrade of physical space to allow 21st century pedagogy. The College has largely been rebuilt since 2010. Stage 1 was completed in 2010 with Stage 2 of the program completed in 2013: three new Gyms; Visual Arts Centre with 8 rooms; Performing Arts Centre with a 350-seat Auditorium; 2 Music Classrooms; 3 Tuition Rooms; a Green Room and a Foyer. The new Senior School Centre was completed in May 2014 and the Children’s and Family Intergenerational Hub was completed in August 2014.

The focus of improving student outcomes has always been central to the College vision. The use of data to inform College Council, staff, parents and students on the progress of the College, Year Level cohorts, classes and individual students is regularly undertaken. Teachers reviewing their practice underpins professional learning, Curriculum workshops and the review process. The move to a common instructional model – CDT- has led to a focus on consistency in curriculum development and implementation and the development of differentiated formative and summative assessment. This continues to be a central focus of the College’s teaching and learning processes.

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.

SC6    Demonstrated ability to actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, in line with the Child Safe Standards

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.

The responsibilities of this position will be:

The Technology Assistant is primarily responsible for providing technical adminstrative support to the Technology teaching staff.  This includes the preparation of tools, equipment and materials for lessons and displays and ordering materials

The Technology Assistant reports to and takes direction from Technology teaching staff and is accountable to the Principal.  The incimbent must have excellent organisational skills, demonstrate high communication skills and enjoy the challenge of working as part of a team assisting in the activities of the Technology Department.

Preparation of equipment and materials for Technology classes, Co-Curricular activities, Technology Shows.

Assist teacher with general classroom duties, especially during the set-up and clean up phase of the lesson

Employ safe work practises in the Technology Department by applying Occupational Health and Safety legislation

Employ safe storage of Design equipment and materials in accordance with regulations

Maintain resources in the Technology classrooms and machine room, including stocktake and audit of materials and equipment

Ordering of all materials and equipment

Liaise with teaching staff on their needs for practical work, and maintain an efficient system for use and allocation of materials and equipment, setting a priority system where necessary

Provide administrative support to other members of the Technology Learning area

Complete additional tasks 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 free to structure applications in any manner they choose, but must ensure that the following are included:

• A specific response to all selection criteria and position details
• A cover sheet providing the name of the applicant and record number (where applicable), home address and mobile telephone number,  the position you are applying for and the vacancy number of the position
• Provide a Statement of Service for schools worked at prior (if applicable)
• A CV with a summary of experience and qualifications
• Copy of valid WWC card
• First Aid certificate or any relevant certificates essential
• The names and contact details of up to three referees who can provide information regarding the applicant in relation to the key selection criteria
• Any queries can be emailed to [email protected]

Information about the College can be obtained at our website www.parkdalesc.vic.edu.au

• 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.