Classroom Teacher - Physical Education and Maths

Northcote High is a vibrant co-educational school in the inner north of Melbourne. The school has a rich intellectual culture that promotes connection with the community and with learning. Northcote High is a proudly local school appreciated by its community with an enrolment of almost 1800 students and 150 staff. Anticipated school growth is informed by school and student achievements alongside a growing youth demographic in the Darebin LGA. As such, a Campus Master Planning process is underway to support the development of facilities to best serve our students’ needs now and into the future.

Our teachers explicit focus on classroom instruction, on building relationships and on knowing students as learners is fundamental to maintaining outstanding outcomes for students. We are focussed on creating the conditions for success through a commitment to shared practice, reflective collegial work and implementing the schools agreed frameworks to support and extend all learners. Teachers as learners are an integral part of our vision and values, and we provide a comprehensive school led professional learning and enrichment program. The expertise and dedication of the staff is undoubtedly a strength of the school and our goal to be an employer of choice is supported by the range of development opportunities we seek for our staff.

In 2016 the school celebrated its’ 90th year and being one of only a few public high schools to continuously offer an excellent secondary education throughout this time. We remain steadfastly focused on maintaining a tradition of academic excellence, whilst developing innovative teaching and learning programs to equip our students with the skills required for a changing future. Our vibrant co-curricular programs provide valuable opportunities for students to learn, grow and build community in and beyond the school.

International engagement is also a feature of the school.  We celebrate an active sister school program in China for over 20 years, a vibrant international student program, and have recently commenced delivery of Offshore VCE programs in two locations in China.

Key documents for applicants such as our Teaching and Learning Framework, curriculum models, AIP and Strategic Plan can be viewed on our school website.

For more information visit www.nhs.vic.edu.au

(SC1) Content of teaching and learning

• Demonstrated high level of knowledge of the relevant key learning areas including the Essential Learning Standards and relevant Study Designs.
• Demonstrated high level knowledge of the way students learn and an ability to apply this to maximise learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated application in the classroom of instructional approaches and strategies relevant to the subject area that engage, support and extend learners.

(SC2) Teaching practice

• Demonstrated high quality classroom teaching capabilities which enable all students to achieve their full potential.
• Demonstrated high level ability to foster curiosity in a stimulating learning environment.
•  Ability to ensure students experience precise and challenging learning that supports and extends them.

(SC3) Assessment and reporting of student learning

• Ability to conduct formative assessment and monitor student achievement to provide ongoing feedback.
• Ability to link assessment to learning and promote the extension of learning.
• Ability to engage with students, families and colleagues around the assessment of a child’s progress.

(SC4) Interaction with the school community

•  Ability to develop constructive and respectful relationships with students which engender positive attitudes to learning including the use of restorative practice approaches to classroom management.
• Proven ability to work in teams and to ensure teams operate in a highly effective manner.
•  Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills when relating to students, parents and employees in the school.

(SC5) Professional requirements

•  Demonstrated commitment and capacity to actively contribute to a broad range of school activities as a member of a school team.
•  Demonstrated capacity to reflect critically upon professional practice to continually improve the quality of their teaching and capacity to enhance students learning through the application of knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional learning.

(SC6) Commitment to the program and priorities of Northcote High School

• Demonstrated commitment to harnessing student interest and motivation and to build a stimulating learning environment.
• Ability to teach across the curriculum areas required by the school including VCE.
• Demonstrated commitment to introducing and promoting educational technologies and innovative approaches to teaching

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.

People aspiring to this position will need to have a proven record of pedagogical excellence and superior interpersonal relationships within a school context.  They will need to be able to build, support and work with teams to create a learning environment of respect and achievement that creates opportunities for students to become active learners and confident participants in society. Applicants will need to model the school’s values and comply with all registration requirements of the VIT as well as complying with the DET Child Safe Standards.

Duties

Teachers at Northcote High School are expected to actively engage with priority areas outlined in the AIP and Strategic plan with a particular focus on:

• Knowing our students
• Supporting and Extending all learners
• Connecting and Communicating with the school community
• Instructional excellence and delivery of quality teaching and learning strategies
• Assessment and Feedback

The main duties to be performed by a classroom teacher are to:

• Undertake the teaching of groups of students and individual students and other non-teaching supervisory duties as determined by the School principal
• Use, reflect on and develop teaching strategies which will result in powerful learning and which will enable all students to make progress
• Create a positive environment conducive to learning for the students of whom he or she is in charge in line with the school’s policies, processes and a restorative practices approach to student management
• Be actively involved in curriculum development, implementation and evaluation through shared and collaborative practice
• Integrate appropriate learning technologies into their classroom programs
• Be actively involved in the school’s professional learning program and keep abreast of all activities and developments in the School
• Contribute to the school’s co-curricular program
• Undertake duties and activities such as parent/student/teacher meetings, staff meetings, camps and excursions
• Perform their duties with skill, care and diligence to demonstrate professional standards to the highest level
• Demonstrate high-level cooperation with colleagues in developing and implementing the course of study to be followed and in the performance of all other duties
• Assess the educational development of students, compile and maintain records of that development and provide reports to parents
• Comply with any Government policies and legislation
• Observe safe working practices
• Assist in protecting the buildings and grounds of the school from damage; and
• Undertake other duties as determined by the school Principal

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

Advice to Applicants

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

• A specific response to all of the Key Selection Criteria and position details.  It is suggested that applicants limit their response to no more than 1 per page per section criteria.
• A Cover Letter introducing yourself and providing your name, record number (if currently employed by DET), home address, telephone numbers (home, work and mobile) and the vacancy number of the position.
• A summary of experience and qualifications.
• The names and contact details of three referees who can provide information regarding the applicant in relation to the Key Selection Criteria. 

Please note: The selection panel may contact referees other than those listed.

• 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.