Description and Location
Burwood East Special Developmental School provides educational programs for primary and secondary school-aged students with a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Some students may also have sensory and physical impairments, and/or autism spectrum disorder.
The school is a purpose-built facility located in a quiet residential area in the eastern suburb of Burwood East and provides an attractive and safe learning environment. Learning areas include well-equipped classrooms, dedicated specialist spaces and outdoor learning zones.
The school caters for a total of 91 students, with an enrolment of 77 school-aged students and 14 pre-school students involved in the Early Education Program. School-aged students attend school daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
The school zone covers eastern suburbs located in the cities of Whitehorse, Maroondah, Boroondara, Manningham and Monash, including the suburbs of Nunawading, Blackburn, Box Hill, Burwood, Balwyn, Hawthorn, Kew, Doncaster, Templestowe and Vermont South. Eligible school-aged students living within the designated transport zone have access to free transport to and from school.
Curriculum
We use the Victorian Curriculum F - 10 and Towards Foundation Levels A - D to plan individual learning for students, and also offer ASDAN programs for our senior secondary students in preparation for their post-school transition. Teachers have time to collaborate via the PLC structure and also benefit from the further supports of dedicated curriculum leaders.
Student¿s outcomes are at the centre of our decisions. A teacher at Burwood East SDS is also seen as a learner, together we aspire to provide the very best education for students. We celebrate diversity and individuality, providing a safe and mutually respectful environment. An emphasis is placed on students attaining skills, knowledge and independence that they will use as young adults when graduating at 18 years of age
Staffing
The school is staffed with 14 classroom teachers, 3 specialist teachers, 17 teacher assistants, 2 occupational therapists, a speech therapist, a consultant physiotherapist, a family support coordinator, admin support team and leadership team. This team is vital to providing support to our transdisciplinary approach to student learning.
Community Involvement
Burwood East SDS encourages parent and community involvement. Participation in curriculum and social activities, celebration of student achievement and special events is valued and encouraged. Parents/carers frequently participate in organized parent activities such as seminars, information evenings and social events.
KS1
Relevant experience as a Speech Pathologist delivering a comprehensive speech pathology service to children from 5 to 18 years in an educational environment.
KS2
Demonstrated ability to assess each student's individual learning needs, evaluate and provide evidence-based intervention programs, monitor and record progress
KS3
Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills when relating to students, staff, parents and external providers.
KS4
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team with other allied health professionals, teachers, educational support staff and school leadership.
KS5
Demonstrated capacity to reflect critically upon professional practice, and commitment to ongoing professional development.
KS6
An understanding of intellectual disability and its impact on learning.
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
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.
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Provide consultative support for teaching staff as needed including implementing group intervention programs, developing visual resources, and upskilling staff in various areas of communication and feeding/swallowing.
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Support the implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems in the classroom as appropriate.
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Support the implementation of schoolwide Little Learners Love Literacy (LLLL) program.
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Respond to referral requests to support specific student or small groups based on needs identified by school staff.
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Complete assessments and documentation to outline communication and mealtime adjustments required for students.
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Attend Disability Inclusion Profile meetings to provide Speech Pathology input regarding student communication, mealtime and learning needs.
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Liaise with external service providers, parents and other Student Support Group members to provide professional feedback and collaborate on goals and intervention strategies.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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
[email protected]
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.
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
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
