Overview
Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Assistant Principal - Range 1
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference:
Location Profile
Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC)
The Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) aims to ensure inclusion and achievement for all learners who are blind or have low vision. We provide students from schools across Victoria with specialised teaching, support, materials and technologies. We also provide personalised advice, training and resources to school staff, visiting teachers and families.
Blindness and vision impairment are low-incidence disabilities that affect a small number of students currently attending Victorian schools. The impact of vision impairment can be profound, but with high-quality teaching and reasonable adjustments, students who are blind or have low vision can achieve learning outcomes on-par with their sighted peers. We support over 500 eligible students and their teachers in government, Catholic and independent schools by providing specialised training and promoting effective and inclusive teaching practices.
SVRC was established in 1983 by the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Our 26 staff are committed to providing specialised and professional assistance, information and resources for students, schools, Visiting Teachers and family members. SVRC¿s facilities are based at 370 Springvale Road in Donvale, on the grounds of the Heatherwood School, a government secondary school.
Our services
SVRC provides the following five core services for Victorian schools and students:
* Assessing student eligibility through our Educational Vision Assessment Clinic (EVAC)
Our Education Vision Assessment Clinic (EVAC) identifies children and young people who have significant vision loss and recommends appropriate supports for them at school. We run this service in partnership with the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. This service also assesses student eligibility for extra support from us, and from the Department of Education and Training¿s Visiting Teacher Service.
* Transcribing learning materials into accessible formats
We support Victorian government and non-government schools by transcribing student learning materials into accessible formats including braille, electronic text (e-text), audio and large print. Transcribed materials are produced and provided at no cost for eligible students in all school sectors.
* Providing professional learning opportunities for teachers and allied professionals
We provide a high-quality professional learning program including events held at our Donvale facility and sessions provided online. Our professional learning events are open to visiting teachers, classroom teachers, education support staff, family members, students, associated professionals and members of the wider community. Each event provides opportunities to learn about the educational implications of blindness and low vision, including evidence-based teaching and support strategies.
* Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum through our student programs
Our educational programs are available to eligible students in government and non-government educational settings from preschool to Year 10. Our Support Skills Program is a specialised educational program for groups of students in Years 4 to Year 10 who are blind or have low vision. Students are offered four to eight days per year of on-site timetabled individualised or small-group instruction focused around the Expanded Core Curriculum (vision-specific skills which enable full engagement with the mainstream curriculum). Dot Power is offered to braille-reading students from preschool to Grade 3. The program focuses on braille literacy (reading and writing), tactile graphicacy (using the sense of touch to interpret tactual diagrams) and concept development.
* Lending specialised equipment to schools through our Vision Technology Library
Our Blind and Low Vision Technology Library is a collection of specialised equipment and technology that Victorian government schools can borrow to support their students who are blind or have low vision. A wide range of technologies are lent to schools, enabling students to independently access and participate in meaningful, collaborative and inclusive learning opportunities. Our library consists of over two thousand items, most of which are in use in schools across Victoria. Where applicable, we also provide support for maintaining loaned equipment and staff training in the use of this equipment. Staff working with eligible students can also apply to borrow equipment for a short period of time for the purposes of professional learning.
Governance
SVRC is a service of the Victorian Department of Education and Training, governed as a campus of Heatherwood School (a government secondary specialist school) at 370 Springvale Road, Donvale. In practice, SVRC has operated largely autonomously from Heatherwood School, including staffing and financial decisions. In 2017, an internal Department of Education and Training review led to the appointment of a SVRC Transition Manager within the Department¿s Inclusive Education Professional Practice Branch, to help lead a series of operational and governance reforms within SVRC.
It is anticipated that during 2020 an SVRC Advisory Board will be established as a sub-committee of the Heatherwood School¿s School Council. This Board (with membership from across the Department) will provide ongoing governance and strategic leadership for SVRC, supporting the SVRC Manager (Assistant Principal) to set SVRC¿s strategic direction, and oversee the development and implementation of a new SVRC Strategic Plan.
Selection Criteria
SC1 Educational Leadership
* Outstanding capacity for visionary and exemplary leadership in inclusive education.
* Highly developed skills in leading and managing change including the leadership of others in the process of change
SC2 Financial, Managerial and Administrative Ability
* Demonstrated high level capacity to ensure that human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.
SC3 Planning, policy and program development and review
* Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and DE policies and lead innovation and change.
* Highly developed understanding of and a commitment to the use of best-practice inclusive education approaches and a commitment to continuous reflection and development to improve teaching and learning.
SC4 Leadership of staff and students
* Highly developed skills and experience in managing and motivating staff, developing their talents and building an effective team.
* Demonstrated capacity in establishing a positive learning and working environment that is focused on the continuous improvement of learning, that takes account of the individual needs of all students and staff.
SC5 Interpersonal and Communication Skills
* Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in a range of community contexts that exhibit exemplary values reflecting personal qualities of objectivity and integrity.
* Demonstrated capacity to create a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and a commitment to their own learning and wellbeing.
SC6 Commitment to working with students and families who have blind/low vision needs.
Community Criteria
A demonstrated commitment to and experience in inclusive education and a capacity to work with the community to develop a culture which celebrate diversity and inclusivity for all students with a disability.
Role
The role of the Assistant Principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department of Education and Training and the school community.
At the same time, the Assistant Principal, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided at monthly governance meetings with the Manager from Inclusive Education Professional Practice (IEPP), on educational and other matters, that the decisions from these meetings are implemented.
The core accountabilities of the Assistant Principal are to:
* report to the Department, education community, parents and students on the most appropriate resources, skills, adjustments and modifications to enable equitable access to education.
* establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department of Education.
* represent the Department at SVRC and the local community.
* implement decisions of the governance committee.
* contribute to system-wide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development.
* manage and integrate the resources available to the school.
* appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations.
Reporting Relationships:
Assistant Principal works collaboratively with:
* Heatherwood principal and business manager
* IEPP director and manager
* SVRC administration Assistant
* Transcription staff, EVAC, Support Skills Staff, Assistive Technology staff, IT staff
* Medical professionals
* Visiting Teacher Service
* Regional staff including VT Managers, Disability Coordinators
* School leadership, class teachers, education support staff and allied health
* Families and students
* External service providers including Guide Dogs Victoria, Vision Australia, RVEEH, SPEVI, Monash University, University of Melbourne
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
* The Assistant Principal reports directly to the Principal of Heatherwood School and the Manager of Inclusive Education Professional Practice (IEPP).
* The Assistant Principal will have a primary responsibility for the management of the centre to ensure the effective development, provision, and evaluation of all teams within SVRC¿s education program.
* The Assistant Principal will have the authority to make all significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the SVRC strategic plan, policies, and budget.
* The Assistant Principal will contribute to the overall management of the centre through involvement in policy formulation, recruitment and decision making.
* The management of all teams and programs of SVRC involves the Assistant Principal in the analysis of the needs of students and the translation of state educational policy and frameworks into appropriate education programs to meet the needs of all students.
* The Assistant Principal will be responsible for the effective use of the teaching and educational support staff and program budget of the centre's operations and for the oversight and leadership of the educational programs and resources.
Who May Apply
Essential
* Extensive experience in Special Education
* Experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for students with disability.
* Compliance - Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) qualifications and National Police Check.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. 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. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards
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:
DE Values
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
Conditions of Employment
* 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
VIT LANTITE
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
Other Information
Additional responsibilities
The Assistant Principal works to shape the strategic vision of Statewide Vision Resource centre (SVRC). This position demands not only the ability to lead a team of dedicated educators and staff but also the passion to advocate for the statewide specialist service and support for students who vision impaired. The Assistant Principal works closely with the Heatherwood School Principal and with the Inclusive Education Professional Practice division of the Department of Education to ensure that SVRC can deliver the specialist supports required by our schools, families and students
By offering strategic leadership, effective management, and a clear vision for the future, the Assistant Principal will guide SVRC into its next chapter of growth and achievement.
Applications close Saturday 4 October 2025 at 11.59pm
Posted
9 September 2025