Classroom Teacher

Travancore School is a Department of Education and Training (DET) school that provides support for students undergoing treatment for mental illness.  We have adapted and developed our services to meet the emerging requirements of mental health services and the growing interest in schools for specialised assistance and support in management of mental health issues.

Travancore School works in partnership with Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health (RCH MH) and Orygen Youth Health.  Our work includes the Banksia Ward classroom, Travancore School Outreach Team, Parkville and Sunshine Education Programs and Operation Newstart Western.  The priority education focus of all programs is to ensure student engagement with education and transition to community based settings where applicable.  We do this through comprehensive classroom programs, individual pathway planning and outreach support to students in educational settings.  We also offer a range of professional learning options to build the capacity of teachers and other staff to assist students with mental health issues.

KSC1: Extensive teaching experience in planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate educational programs for young people with diverse learning needs.

KSC2: Knowledge of the issues that impact on the education of young people with wellbeing or mental health difficulties and experience in promoting positive student wellbeing.

KSC3: The ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team and build positive working relationships with all partnering families and professionals.

KSC4: Strong interpersonal skills including self awareness, self management and awareness of others in communication and problem solving.

KSC5: Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional learning and the capacity to embrace new learning into practice, and share with other professionals.

KSC6: Potential to teach across all Travancore School Programs.

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

A current Victorian Drivers Licence is required.

Qualifications or experience in Special education or Student Wellbeing would be an advantage.

• 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.
• This vacancy is to replace an employee on parental absence and is for a period of seven years or until the employee absent on leave returns to duty at the school
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at