At Thornbury High School, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. Our core vision is to inspire and empower students to become respectful, resilient, and innovative leaders, equipped with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
We are dedicated to providing a holistic education through a broad range of academic and extracurricular programs that cater to the diverse needs, talents, and aspirations of our students. Our strong focus on inclusivity ensures that all students feel valued, respected, and supported in their individual learning journeys. We cultivate a culture of high expectations, fostering a safe and secure learning environment where every student can achieve their personal best.
Our school's vision is underpinned by the following core values:
- Academic Excellence: We maintain high academic standards and encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
- Respect and Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and foster an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging and respect.
- Wellbeing and Resilience: We prioritize the mental and emotional wellbeing of our students, helping them develop resilience and confidence to face life's challenges.
- Innovation and Opportunity: We embrace innovation in teaching and learning, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to pursue their passions and achieve their goals.
Thornbury High School serves approximately 1,100 students, and we continue to lead in academic achievement and post-school pathways. Our strong performance in VCE results, highlighted by our recent recognition with `The Age¿ Schools that Excel Award, reflects our commitment to excellence. We continue to see significant improvement in student outcomes, with 16% of our Year 12 cohort in 2024 achieving an ATAR above 90.
We are proud of our diverse programs, including the free instrumental music tuition offered to Year 7 and 8 students, our expanded Sports Academy, and the Italian language immersion program. Our commitment to fostering both academic and extracurricular growth is reinforced by recent developments in our school facilities, including the $14.9 million STEAM Centre and the Performing Arts and Sports Centre, which further enhance our vibrant teaching and learning environment.
Thornbury High School values the diverse backgrounds of our students and staff, and we work to create a school culture where all feel welcome and supported. Our student-led bullying survey, along with ongoing efforts to promote wellbeing, contribute to a secure and positive learning environment where students can grow both academically and personally.
We are committed to ongoing improvement and providing a high-quality educational experience for all students. For more information, please visit our website at www.thornburyhs.vic.edu.au or connect with us through our community Facebook page.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Thornbury High School stands, the Wurundjeri People, and pay our respects to their elders¿ past, present, and emerging.
Application Information
Thank you for your interest in this vacancy at Thornbury High School. Please note the following details when submitting your application:
- Applicants must provide a statement addressing the key selection criteria.
- Please attach your cover letter, resume, and key selection criteria in one document, with your full name as the file name.
- Include your DE Employee ID Number (if applicable).
- Provide three (3) referees, including names, contact numbers, and email addresses.
- If successful, a current WWCC/VIT card will be required.
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.
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.
Title: Education Support - Inclusion (Classroom and Personal Care Support)
Reports To: Business Manager, Disability Inclusion Coordinator
Subordinates: None
Classification: Education Support (ES) Level 1 Range 2
Time fraction: 0.8 EFT ¿ 8:30am to 3:15pm across five days (term time only unless otherwise agreed in accordance with the VGSA).
Thornbury High School is seeking a dedicated and collaborative ES Inclusion staff member to provide specialised classroom, inclusion and personal care support to students with disability and additional learning needs.
Working under the direction of teaching staff, the position supports students to access learning, develop independence and participate fully in school life. The role exercises judgement within established procedures and guidelines and performs duties consistent with the Education Support Class Level 1 Range 2 Dimensions of Work under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement.
Key Responsibilities
Classroom Support
- Provide specialised in-class support to individual students and small groups under teacher direction.
- Support the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Behaviour Support Plans and Disability Inclusion Profiles.
- Reinforce learning activities prepared by teachers and encourage student participation, independence and engagement.
- Prepare learning resources and assist students during specialist classes, excursions, camps and other school activities.
- Provide objective observations to teachers regarding student engagement, learning and wellbeing.
Personal Care Support (where required)
- Provide personal care, toileting and hygiene assistance in accordance with documented Student Health Support Plans.
- Maintain student dignity, privacy and independence at all times.
- Undertake manual handling and administer medication only in accordance with Department policy, documented procedures and required training.
- Maintain required health and personal care records.
Wellbeing and Professional Practice
- Support agreed behaviour strategies under teacher direction.
- Report wellbeing, child safety and occupational health and safety concerns promptly.
- Participate in Student Support Group meetings, team meetings and professional learning as required.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, Education Support staff and allied health professionals.
- Perform other duties consistent with the Education Support Class Level 1 Range 2 classification as directed by the Principal or Business Manager.
Role Boundaries
This position:
- supports teaching programs but does not undertake teaching duties
- works under the direction and supervision of teaching staff
- does not independently plan curriculum, assess students or prepare reports
- provides factual observations rather than educational assessments
- does not assume overall responsibility for student supervision
- performs duties consistent with the Education Support Class Level 1 Range 2 classification.
Requirements
The successful applicant will have:
- Current Working with Children Check.
- Satisfactory National Police Check.
- Commitment to the Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting obligations.
- Commitment to the Department of Education Code of Conduct, Equal Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
Child Safety Commitment
Thornbury High School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. All staff are expected to actively contribute to a child safe environment and uphold the Victorian Child Safe Standards.
Equal Opportunity
Thornbury High School is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect in the workplace.
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
- 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
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 for application under the Who May Apply section
- Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
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.
