Location Profile
At Pakenham Hills Primary School our motto is ¿Life is for Learning.¿ Our mission is to provide each child with the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and social development that will enable them to achieve to their potential and participate successfully in our society.
Our intention is to ensure that we create a learning environment where all students take responsibility for their learning and endeavour to reach their personal best. We seek to create a safe, positive and supportive learning environment and provide a differentiated learning approach enhanced by an extensive curriculum.
The school has 39 full and part-time teaching staff including a principal and two Assistant Principals, 38 education support staff and a school psychologist. A PLC approach to program planning is a feature of the school¿s curriculum development. The development of literacy and numeracy skills and the acquisition of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making strategies are a key part of our curriculum. The school runs a transition to school program during semester 2 each year called Pakky Seals.
The school serves a slowly expanding residential and outlying area in the South-East growth corridor. The school is situated 2 km east of Pakenham. Pakenham Hills Primary School is a medium-sized school with a current enrolment of 434 students.
The school comprises 22 permanent classrooms, Performing Arts, Visual Art, AUSLAN, and Physical Education rooms, a Library, and an Administration area. Two relocatable double classrooms have been integrated with the permanent buildings on a large site. A BER Multi-Purpose complex was opened at the beginning of 2011. The older gymnasium was refurbished and turned into a dedicated Performing Arts Centre in 2019. Students learn AUSLAN as an alternative language.
The school provides a large oval, basketball and netball courts, as well as junior, middle and senior adventure playgrounds. Maintenance of the buildings and development of the grounds is a priority to support our goal in providing a stimulating learning environment and ensuring that the school continues to operate in attractive buildings and surroundings. A shared community facility (Parent Zone) is co-located on the school site. This facility provides a range of allied health services to the local community.
Our school values of respect, teamwork, positive attitude, honesty and integrity and communication underpin the PHPS School Expectations of: Be a Learner; Be Safe and Be Respectful. These expectations are reflected in everything we say and do at Pakenham Hills.
In our school community we work hard to ensure our values and expectations are demonstrated by:
The provision of a balanced inclusive curriculum that caters for individual needs and abilities which encourages academic achievement and personal success.
Students having a positive and happy attitude to their learning.
The continued development of positive school wide behavioural attitudes and relationships with all members of the school community.
Students, staff and the community show a sense of pride and respect for our school.
Provision of opportunities that engage parents and the local community in the school.
At Pakenham Hills Primary School we foster a belief that each student should be given the opportunity to achieve social, emotional, and academic excellence. We aim to ensure each child acquires the learning strategies, behaviours, and attitudes of lifelong learners, along with the social skills needed to work, play and get along with others.
Selection Criteria
SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
Role
Attendance required - Monday to Friday 8:45am to 3:10pm.
An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
A role at this range may include:
* Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
* Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
* Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
* Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.
An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are 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. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include:
* Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
* Supports communication between teachers and parents
* Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
* Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
* Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
* Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
* Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
* Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
* Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
* Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille
Who May Apply
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Diversity and Inclusion
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au
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.
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Other Information
Please ensure that your application includes: a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business, and home) a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements under the Who May Apply section names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of at least three referees Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we take this action.
Conditions of Employment
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.