Out of School Care Coordinator- Demonstration Program

Laurimar Primary is now an established school in its 10th year, built by the Department of Education and Training (DET) opening in 2009. Laurimar is situated on 3.4 hectares of land, 30km from the CBD, in Melbourne's northern residential growth area.

The school has a current population of 970 students. Growth within the school has been rapid over the decade. The school continues to grow due to our positive reputation and has a strong focus on excellence in Primary Education. It is the aim of all staff to help the children settle into their dynamic school community and build 21st Century Learning skills, attitudes, values and respect that they need to fully participate in the rich educational life of our school.

The master planned community, along with the Primary School, includes; a town centre, supermarket, shops, childcare, kindergarten, sports fields, War Memorial and recreation facilities which have been opened over the past 9 years, create a dynamic setting for young children to be supported in their learning. The construction of a childcare, kinder and maternal health care facility in close proximity to our Prep Learning Centre creates an exciting and innovative Early Childhood Education precinct for the Laurimar community to benefit from.

Laurimar PS enjoys outstanding physical resources that enable us to provide students with the best possible educational opportunities and learning outcomes. The modern facilities and 21st Century teaching and learning pedagogy represent an exciting opportunity for students and parents, and have established the school’s strong culture, values and nature. The school is committed to Information and Communication Technologies with flexibility to allow access anywhere within the learning spaces.

The school is designed and built to incorporate the latest facilities for engaging students and comprises six buildings:
*Fully equipped STEM Centre that strongly engages students and develops a deep sense of curiosity

*Two Learning Centres, each comprising ten general purpose classrooms that feature open plan
working areas with ICT facilities throughout, wet areas, withdrawal area and indoor toilets that cater for our Prep-2 students*Fifteen double open plan relocatable classrooms with staff centre in each, all controlled by heating and cooling*Arts Centre, (comprising Music room, Visual Arts room, breakout room and kitchen)*Administration Centre, Staffroom and main Resource / Library Centre*Full size gymnasium with canteen facility and associated amenities*Two bike sheds housing 400 spaces for bikes and scooters*Fully operational OSHC building incorporating Out of School Hours and Vacation Care and school television studio with the capability to stream live broadcasts into all learning spaces. This building is also home to another large “Green Screen” to produce movies.*Japanese Zen Garden, Community Safety Space and Indonesian Tropical Garden that reflects our commitment to Asian Literacy and our Grade 5/6 trips to China each October

Expansive outdoor recreation areas include a full size synthetic grass soccer / hockey pitch, playground equipment and asphalt play areas. Access to two adjoining well maintained sport / football ovals and landscaped grounds add to the aesthetic appeal of the school environment.

Recent constructions include a Zen Garden, gazebo/BBQ area, outdoor coverway over the assembly area, additional playgrounds and an RSL endorsed Cenotaph/War Memorial which holds annual Remembrance & Anzac Day Services.
We recently opened our newly designed Prep Development & Play Area that incorporates many hands on activities.

Laurimar Primary School is committed to the academic, social & emotional learning and personal growth of every student.
A focused curriculum, dedication to innovation and a culture of care from all staff will help us meet this commitment. Our school is well resourced in the Victorian curriculum. A balanced, engaging and comprehensive curriculum constantly challenges students to extend their learning and cater for all individual needs through CAFÉ Reading, VOICES Writing, SOUNDWAVES spelling and comprehensive numeracy pedagogy.

Our aim is to challenge students to be the very best they can be. Our role is to help every student reach their full potential through setting personal goals. The skills needed for the 21st century, which support a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom, are actively embraced by our school. A high emphasis is placed on the development of social/emotional learning of every child through a dedicated team.

Teachers are highly valued and help to set the tone and culture within our educational institution. A strong coaching program has been developed and team teaching between classes is embraced. Importantly, we aim to be leaders in education and in social and emotional learning. This involves setting up and implementing innovative practices in the use of ICT in the curriculum. The school has been set up to showcase these innovative practices and how they enhance student learning. The use of interactive televisions, smart boards, digital cameras, note books and the 1:1 iPad program are features. There is an extensive range of ICT resources available which are integrated into the curriculum programs with a focus on developing a digital learning environment. Students in the school have access to a range of online curriculum resources to support learning both in the classroom and at home.

The school has achieved a great deal over the past decade, however, as a school community, we all look to a bright future with great optimism and excitement and constantly strive to take the learning to higher levels. Laurimar PS has a strong focus on excellence in Primary Education for all students and will constantly strive for ongoing improvement with our students.      

About the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Demonstration Program

Effective OSHC programs bring a wide range of benefits to children, families and communities. OSHC programs can boost academic performance, reduce risky behaviours, promote physical health and provide a safe, structured environment for the children of working parents.

Although OSHC services are an Australian Government funding responsibility, there is a clear gap in care services for students with disabilities in Victoria that needs to be addressed. In the absence of Australian Government supports operating effectively, there is an opportunity for the State to provide temporary assistance to develop appropriate supports for parents and carers who are looking for greater workforce participation.

The OSHC Demonstration Program has been funded to pilot an approach to addressing the gap in OSHC services for students with disabilities.

Program Benefits
The intended outcomes of the OSHC Demonstration Program are:
1. Parents and carers are better supported to re-enter the workforce or increase their working hours.
2. Overall economic productivity with improved workforce participation is enhanced
3. Students receive additional support that assists in improved academic performance, promotes enhanced
physical health, and provides a safe, structured environment.

SC1: Formal qualifications in childcare, education, disability support (ACECQA approved)

SC2: Experience working with students with disabilities and/or special needs and their families

SC3: Excellent stakeholder management skills including the ability to form positive relationships with staff, students, parents and community organisations

SC4: Ability to work within a team and embrace collaborative learning practices with a proven ability of excellent communication

SC5: Highly effective organisational and planning skills including clerical and computer skills

Term Holidays - Attendance requirement for this position - refer to Conditions of Employment.

The OSHC Coordinator will apply a depth of knowledge and a broad range of skills which facilitate the development and implementation of the OSHC Demonstration Program. This position reports directly to the school Principal. Key relationships also include OSHC provider, school staff, students and their families and the Department of Education and Training (DET).

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.  Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations.  

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal.  Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school.  Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

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.

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

- 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

LAURIMAR PRIMARY SCHOOL - Child Safe Standards
As part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust report, there is a new regulatory landscape surrounding child safety, underpinned by new Child Safe Standards.
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.
To create and maintain a child safe organisation, an entity to which the Child Safe Standards apply must have:
1.strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements
2.a child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety
3.a code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children
4.screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel
5.processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse
6.strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse
7.strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.

Laurimar Primary Schools policies are available at  http://www.laurimarps.vic.edu.au/School/Child-Safe-Standards.aspx

• This position requires the successful applicant to be available and work during:
  • the term 5 days a week between 2:00pm - 6:30pm and
  • over all school holiday periods between 7am - 6:30pm
• 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.