Classroom Assistant - Prep - Year 9

Tarneit P-9 College is establishing a reputation of high academic achievement. The College’s vision is to provide a quality education which enables all students to progress by more than one year across all academic measures. We are committed to achieving continuous improvement of learning outcomes for all students.

Multi- skilled teachers, supported by strong leadership and a dedicated team of non-teaching staff, implement a forward thinking, student focused curriculum. The College strives for the highest standards in English and Mathematics and compliments this with quality programs in Science, The Arts, Physical Education and French.

At Tarneit P-9 College all students are valued and differences accepted within a supportive school environment. Our diverse multicultural community works together to create a well-resourced, orderly learning environment which caters for the needs of each individual and acknowledges and celebrates achievements. 

At Tarneit P-9 College the following values underpin the actions of our whole community:

• We value our learning.

• We are an inclusive school community.

• We are proud of ourselves, each other and the school.

• We act and are responsible.

The College also values its motto ‘Scientia Lumen Vitae’ which means ‘knowledge is the light of life’.   

Tarneit P-9 College resides within the western suburbs of Melbourne in the local area of Wyndham. It was established in 2013, commencing with an enrolment of 331 students and has grown to over 1900 students in 2018.

The rapid growth of the school community has seen a quick expansion of facilities and high demands on resourcing. The College opened with two out of the three main buildings identified in the initial planning stages. This included 16 primary learning spaces, 5 specialist classrooms and a gymnasium. Stage Two of the building plan (Year 7-9 component) commenced in 2016 and is now occupied. The College has invested heavily in maintaining open and flexible learning spaces throughout the large number of relocatable buildings. In addition to this, the College has also prioritised the development of our grounds, including a fence around the perimeter, grassed play areas, play grounds, adequate shading and seating.

The College integrates the latest technology as a tool to support learning. Interactive whiteboards are installed throughout the main building and LCD screens throughout the other learning spaces. Students in Year 3 through to Year 9 participate in a one to one device program. All learning spaces have access to wireless connectivity.

The Tarneit community comprises of diverse family backgrounds, with a high proportion of students coming from Islander and African communities. Many of our students speak languages other than English at home. The College recognises the need to support EAL learners through embedding strong literacy and oral language practices within the curriculum. The College Student Family Occupation of 0.5967 indicates a variety of socio economic backgrounds within the community.

The College has developed a Student Learning and Welfare support team, comprising of Psychologists, a Student Welfare Officer, Speech Pathologist and Assistant Principals. The College also work closely with the Wyndham Student Support Services and local organisations to provide a range of supports and interventions for students and their families. The School Wide Positive Behaviour initiative underpins Tarneit P-9 College’s approach to wellbeing. The school community has a strong focus on explicitly teaching students the expected behaviours and attitudes aligned with the College values.

Tarneit P-9 College expects more than one year’s growth for every student across all curriculum areas. Our staff work in collaborative teams to take a shared ownership for monitoring and responding to the learning needs of all students. Through high quality instructional practice and differentiating the curriculum, individual student learning needs are identified and catered for.

Tarneit P-9 College provides a comprehensive curriculum for students from years Prep to 9. We are focused on delivering a curriculum that promotes and develops high level literacy and numeracy skills, along with higher order thinking skills. The College is forming strong partnerships with Tarneit Central Kindergarten and Tarneit Senior College to support student transition from K-12. As student progress through their school the curriculum design allows for a variety of subjects to be offered, ensuring that students have opportunities to pursue their own pathway.

The College recognises the importance of the home/school relationships and encourages parent participation at a range of different levels.  In partnership with parents and the community, staff members establish high expectations for all students as the standard and provide a safe, supportive environment where students have the opportunity to become productive, knowledgeable and responsible citizens. 

College policies are developed to guide and describe the main processes, functions and operations of the school. The development and review of policies have an agreed process, so that various stakeholders are part of the consultation and review process. An enthusiastic College Council and wider parent network are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process and facilitate effective communication throughout the community.

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.

30 hours per week over 5 days.

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:

• Assist in the classroom and in specific learning areas.
• Assist with the communication between students and teachers, particularly the interpretation of instructions.
• Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.
• Participate in team meetings.
• Assist with toileting, meals, lifting, and administration of medication to students requiring special care.
• Assist with the supervision of pupils in playgrounds, at camps, on excursions, in sporting activities, therapy activities and life skills.
• Assist in the preparation of student resources and equipment.
• Prepare basic curriculum support resources.
• Set up and put away equipment and materials in support of teaching programs.
• Observe students and draw the attention of the teacher to them where necessary.
• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student involvement and achievement.
• Assist with communication between teachers and non-English speaking parents/students.
• Assist students with the preparation and service of meals.
• Ensure work areas and materials, equipment and appliances are maintained in a clean and ready to use condition.
• Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required.

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

• 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.