Classroom Teacher

Arthurs Creek Primary School (ACPS) is a small semi-rural school with a current enrolment of 69 students.  ACPS plays a prominent role of inclusiveness in this small semi-rural community. The school is the "hub" of Arthurs Creek and is the main gathering point for families on a daily basis. The school has a Principal with classroom duties, two full time class teachers and one part time class teacher, as well as a number of part time teachers employed for Art, German, Music tuition and one Educational Support Staff. Private tuition is available in keyboard and guitar.  The shared small school S.T.E.M. specialist teacher provides engaging weekly lessons in Science for all grades. Additionally we are grateful to be supported by the public Yarra Valley Library Van which provides weekly borrowing by parking alongside our school boundary.

A culture of High Expectations and a strong Student Voice are core to the philosophy and culture of the school. Parents value education and have high aspirations for their children's learning. Student achievement outcomes are central to all decision making processes. Students have opportunities to be actively involved in committees which take on genuine projects that contribute to the running and enhancement of the school and its surrounds. A strong emphasis on school values is fundamental to our daily operation. ie. Respect, Responsibility, Integrity and Life-long Learning. The staff demonstrate an outstanding commitment to teaching and learning with thorough planning and the delivery of high quality differentiated curriculum programs. Resources are aligned to maximise the provision of best teaching and learning throughout the school. ICT is used to engage students and provides valuable learning opportunities. We are most fortunate to offer a Multi-Purpose Room and attractive Under Cover Learning area to engage students in their individualised learning journey.

ACPS is proud to offer a safe, harmonious learning environment in peaceful surrounds. It offers a "family" atmosphere with a strong sense of belonging for all who join us. We celebrate cubby house building and the learning from including chickens at school. We sustain a vibrant vegetable garden program, in which parent helpers work alongside students to support our garden to plate Cook Offs at the end of each term. ACPS demonstrates a commitment to inclusiveness and the achievement of consistent high academic results. Students are encouraged to demonstrate a strong sense of belonging with responsibility for their own learning and that of the whole school community. 

SC1         Demonstrated high level understanding of initiatives in student learning and Assessment and Reporting Advice and the capacity to implement and evaluate learning and teaching programs in accordance with the Victorian curriculum.

SC2         Outstanding 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 classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2.  The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes.  The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning. 

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2
Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.

A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.

Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:
- Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
- Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
- Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
- Supervise and train one or more student teachers
- Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1
The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs.  Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities. 
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice.  New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.

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.