Ed Support Level 1-Range 1

Northcote Primary School is known for its strong sense of community connectedness, and Northcote Primary School has this in spades. Over our 140 year history the school has evolved into a place where community matters and where our students continue to achieve academically. We are proud of our consistent teaching and learning and the high standards we set for our staff and students. We are a welcoming school community. Strong relationships are the hallmark of our school – among students, parents, and staff and within the Northcote community.

Northcote Primary School is located in the inner northern suburb of Northcote and was first established in 1874.  It retains the original Victorian and later Edwardian heritage brick buildings. Extensive refurbishments to original classrooms have created modern, flexible learning spaces in most areas. This  provided the environment to transform the teaching and learning practices in our school, to be far more suitable for today’s teaching and learning needs. The pedagogical focus is to provide an inclusive teaching and learning program, with consistent, collaborative teaching (teacher teaming) to best meet the needs of all students and capitalise on the collective strengths of teams of teachers.

Synthetic turf for general play and basketball has enhanced the open play spaces. Extensive landscaping and attractive signage have improved the main entrances to the school. Maintaining the original buildings continues to be a community challenge that we strive to meet and we have recently been the recipient of Capital Works grant to improve and enhance our school buildings.

There are 380 students enrolled in the 2017 school year with a likely 390 students for 2018.  Four Mod 5 relocatable classrooms are located on land adjacent to the school, accommodating our year 3/4s in 2017, with an additional Mod 5 to arrive before the end of the school year for the growing 2018 student population.

Our community of students, staff, families and friends provide a supportive learning environment, engaging our children in lifelong learning. The school purpose is: We are here to help children to become literate and numerate and prepare them for life. The core values of the school are: creativity, respect and community. The value of creativity is defined by the school community as: Stimulating curiosity and exploration as well as providing opportunities for choice, discovery and creative self-expression. Respect means accepting and valuing ourselves and others and demonstrating this in our behaviour; and Community at Northcote Primary School means welcoming students, staff, families and friends by promoting a sense of belonging and sharing in our school.

These values underpin a school environment and atmosphere where safety, caring attitudes, quality respectful relationships, consultative decision-making, and high educational standards are encouraged.

We have an enthusiastic and professional staff team and the school has a strong focus on teacher development.  The school has a high Student Family Occupation (SFO) index of 0.2064, and the number of families with language backgrounds other than English is in the mid-high range.  The school is diverse in population, with a mix of nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds.  22% of students are from families where at least one parent speaks a language other than English at home. We are a community mainly from the local Northcote and surrounding areas who value working together in partnership to achieve the best outcomes for all students 

We strive to build and maintain a community of learners – students, parents and staff – learning, working and sharing together. We recognize the importance of equipping students with skills and abilities to achieve socially, academically and emotionally in today’s changing world. Students who feel safe, challenged and supported by a positive school environment are able to aspire to be the best they can.

Students are provided with a wide range of personal, academic and practical experiences. Northcote Primary School is committed to ensuring that improved student learning is the highest priority. This is achieved by providing a comprehensive learning program based on the Victorian Curriculum with specialist programs in the Arts, Physical Education, and Italian Language. By focusing on the aptitude and interests of each individual student, the school provides a learning environment which ensures students have every opportunity to reach their potential.

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 experience and ability to work with young people or groups of children with severe behaviour and/or Autism with the aim of re-engaging their learning.

Attendance requirement for this position - Preference for daily.  

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 commensurate with Education Support Level 1, Range 1.

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

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.