Context
Upper Yarra Secondary College is located in Yarra Junction in the Yarra Valley, 65 kilometres from Melbourne. Our enrolment is steadily increasing and currently is 800. Many of our students travel extensive distances to attend school from outer rural communities. The College is well regarded for supporting its students with a safe, healthy and supportive environment that nurtures self-esteem, leadership qualities, talent, curiosity and optimism for the future, providing them with a base to become responsible members of the College and the broader community. Our students come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, with an SFO of 0.55.
The College leadership profile includes 9 Leading Teachers (Curriculum, Junior, Middle and Senior-Sub-School). The College staff supports our students by working in Year Level teams led by a Team Leader. The teams are responsible for overseeing curriculum, pedagogy and wellbeing and student management for students within their Year Level. We have a strong wellbeing team and run a Youth Clinic one day per week, and work on a five day timetable consisting of five 1hr periods.
We provide a range of curriculum choices including VCE, VET and VM that support pathways to a wide range of destinations including Universities, TAFE, apprenticeships and employment. Students develop close relationships with staff via daily contact in our Year Level teams approach. Student leadership is promoted within a range of opportunities within the College, SRC, College Captains, Peer Support, Duke of Ed and Sports Leadership programs.
Innovation and Future Directions
1. The College completed their review in 2022 with future directions being linked to Literacy and Numeracy, community engagement and promotion of high expectations in all areas of the College.
2. A model of Inquiry Learning developed at Upper Yarra Secondary College is now well established in Years 7 and 8. FLIP (Future Learners Inquiry Program) has elements of an Open Plan learning environment, closer attachments of fewer teaching staff for more time with students, an integrated inquiry-based approach to curriculum delivery, and enhanced processes that focus on more personalised learning for students through engagement of activities that relate to a variety of learning styles.
3. Innovations in reading and writing programs including Independent Reading, Readers and Writers Workshops have been developed and are having an impact on teaching practice and student engagement and achievement. A Sharing Classrooms program has also had an impact on improving pedagogy. Teachers engage in Professional Learning Teams and, via the focus on research outcomes, employ strategies discussed into classroom practice, in an Action Research model.
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.
6hrs per day - 5 days per week
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.
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
Applicants are reminded that they need to supply a CV and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three referees.
The selection criteria must be addressed.
- 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
