Assistant Principal Selection Criteria
SC1 - Educational leadership
- Outstanding capacity for visionary and exemplary educational leadership of a school
- Highly developed skills in leading and managing change including the leadership of others in the process of change.
SC2 - Financial, managerial and administrative ability
- Outstanding financial, organisational and resource management skills.
SC3 - Planning, policy and program development and review
- Exemplary values appropriate to the development of student learning with a demonstrated capacity to achieve high quality student outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to implement Department policies to a high level.
- An understanding of, and a commitment to, the use of learning technologies to improve teaching and learning.
SC4 - Leadership of staff and students
- A highly developed capacity to motivate staff, develop their talents and build an effective team
- A clear capacity to foster a learning environment that takes account of the individual needs of students and helps students to develop their special abilities and talents.
SC5 - Interpersonal and communication skills
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual, small group and community contexts.
- Exemplary values pertaining to personal qualities of objectivity, sensitivity and integrity.
- An ability to work with parents and the community to develop a strong learning environment.
The assistant principal reports directly to the principal.
Assistant principals have a primary responsibility for the management of significant areas or functions within the school to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. In exercising the responsibility, assistant principals 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 school's strategic plan, policies and budget. Assistant principals will contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making.
The management of significant school program or functional areas in schools involve assistant principals 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.
Typically assistant principals will be responsible for the effective use of the teaching staff and program budget of a defined area of the school's operation and for the oversight and leadership of the educational programs provided utilising these resources.
Typically, assistant principals perform one or more of the following functions:
- supervision and coordination of the work of senior curriculum or level coordinators;
- allocation of budgets, positions of responsibility and other resources within the area of responsibility;
- supervision of the delivery of teaching programs;
- management of programs to improve the knowledge and experience of staff;
- responsibility for general discipline matters beyond the management of classroom teachers and year level coordinators;
- contribute to the overall management of the school;
Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
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
- 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
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
- The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
- if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
- a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also 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 ITE program completed by the person).
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
2026 LOCATION PROFILE
Officer Secondary College was founded in 2015 and has experienced rapid growth, with a current student population of approximately 1000 students, but is expected to grow to 1100 in 2027. Located in Melbourne's South-East, the College offers convenient access to the M1 freeway and the Pakenham train line. The College has a Student Family Occupation and Education (SFOE) index of 0.3643.
Officer Secondary College shares a clear and collective vision for a thriving school environment, where student growth is prioritised and the College is the school of choice for families in the Officer community. This vision is realised through a strong focus on building staff capacity and professional practice, maintaining high expectations and culture of excellence, and fostering strong partnerships with families and the broader community.
The College workforce includes one Principal, three Assistant Principals, 75 teaching staff and 42 Education Support staff. Officer Secondary College offers a broad range of study pathways to meet the diverse academic needs of its students. High-quality relationships are central to our approach, supported through our Learning Community structure, which provides students with a rewarding social and cultural experience throughout their secondary schooling.
Learning Communities
Officer Secondary College is organised into six Learning Communities. The Bunjil, Murrumbula, Dorrong, Willum, Wongim and Now'weenth Learning offer a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where students are known, valued and supported to succeed.
Each Learning Community is led by a Subschool Team, comprising a Subschool Leader and a Learning Community Leader, whose primary role is to support students' academic progress and wellbeing. This includes closely monitoring student growth, providing targeted support and maintaining regular communication with families. Students typically remain in the same Learning Community throughout their time at the College, enabling strong, trusting relationships to develop and ensuring each student's individual needs are well understood.
Teaching and Learning at Officer Secondary College
Our educational philosophy places learning and relationships at its core, underpinned by the values of Respect, Excellence, Inclusion, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Global Citizenship.
Teachers choose Officer Secondary College because it is a school that invests seriously in professional growth. Teaching and learning practice is guided by our INSPIRE instructional model, integrating the three essential elements of effective teaching: the student, the curriculum and pedagogy. Grounded in cognitive science and aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM2.0), INSPIRE offers staff a shared, evidence-informed language for practice, and the clarity that comes from knowing precisely who we teach, what we teach and how we teach.
For teachers at every career stage, a framework of professional learning supports continual improvement in teacher practice. A structured culture of coaching and mentoring sits at the heart of professional life at the college: instructional coaching conversations, collaborative inquiry through Professional Learning Communities, and peer observation cycles provide sustained, individualized support for the refinement of classroom practice. Significant meeting and professional learning time is protected for this work, showing a commitment to recognizing that teacher expertise is highly valued asset.
Student Wellbeing and Positive Behaviour (SWPBS)
Officer Secondary College has achieved Gold recognition for School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) three years running. This reflects the collective efforts of our staff, students and community in building a positive school climate, a culture of student competence and a responsive, supportive management system.
Our SWPBS framework is clearly communicated and consistently applied across the College, providing a shared understanding of expectations and a proactive approach to supporting students to achieve their best, both academically and behaviourally.
For further information about the school, please visit: https://officersc.vic.edu.au/
Applicants must include the following in their application:
- a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address, email address and contact numbers, business and home)
- a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
- proof of residency, citizenship or naturalisation (if applicable)
- names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of at least three referees
- VIT/WWCC copy
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.
