Ballarat Specialist School provides high¿quality education for students aged 3 to 18 years with diagnosed intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to profound. We are a dual¿campus K¿12 setting structured around four stages of learning: Early Learning (3¿5 years), Primary School (5¿12 years), Middle School (12¿15 years) and Senior School (15¿18 years).
Our Early Learning to Middle School programs operate from our Gillies Street Campus, while our Senior School is located at our 8.09¿hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. We currently support approximately 440 students across both sites.
Our Mission and Approach
Our mission, ¿Achieving Personal Success Together,¿ guides everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, flexible and stimulating learning environment where both students and staff can reach their full potential. Our curriculum is personalised, balanced and designed to celebrate individual achievement.
Teaching and learning at Ballarat Specialist School is grounded in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Victorian Pathways Certificate, a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, and Individual Education Plans for every student. Our pedagogy is evidence¿based and supported by a gradual release of responsibility model. Professional Learning Communities drive curriculum, assessment, inquiry and reflection across the school.
Small Class Sizes and Classroom Support
A key strength of our school is our commitment to small class sizes, ensuring students receive targeted, responsive and meaningful instruction. Each classroom is supported by Education Support (ES) staff allocated according to student need, enabling a high level of individualised attention and consistent support throughout the school day.
This structure allows teachers and ES staff to work closely together to implement personalised learning goals, support communication and engagement, respond to sensory and wellbeing needs, and create safe, predictable and inclusive learning environments.
Integrated Services Team
Our comprehensive Integrated Services Team works across all areas of the school to support students in achieving their academic, functional and personalised goals. The team includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Allied Health Assistants, Mental Health Practitioners, NDIS¿funded practitioners (in collaboration with families) and Registered Nurses.
This multidisciplinary team partners with teachers, ES staff and families to embed therapeutic, communication, health and wellbeing supports into everyday learning. Their work strengthens student engagement, independence and readiness for future pathways.
Pathways and Real¿World Learning
Ballarat Specialist School is committed to preparing students for meaningful, fulfilling futures. Our pathways model provides students with authentic, hands¿on learning experiences that build independence, confidence and employability skills.
Key pathway opportunities include school¿based enterprises such as the Vintage Soul Op Shop and cafés at both campuses, Mini Woolies at Gillies Street, and accredited vocational pathways including Certificate I in Life Skills and Certificate II courses delivered onsite in partnership with local TAFE providers. Industry¿aligned learning areas include Kitchen Operations, Retail, Horticulture, Visual Arts, Sport and Recreation, Music Industry and Work Skills.
These programs support students to explore interests, develop practical skills and transition confidently into post¿school options including supported employment, open employment, community participation and further training.
Individualised Support
Every student has an Individual Education Plan developed through a collaborative Student Support Group involving parents and carers, external agencies, classroom teachers, education assistants and our Integrated Services Team. This ensures each student¿s learning, wellbeing and communication needs are understood and supported.and supported.
SC1. Demonstrated ability in the safe use of gardening and motorized equipment as relevant to the position.
SC2. Demonstrated reliability, punctuality and ability to work independently and manage time appropriately.
SC3. Capacity to undertake routine tasks across a range of maintenance and gardening functions.
SC4. Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support staff and external contractors.
SC5. Highly developed interpersonal skills related to working in an environment that includes staff, students and visitors.
Under the direction of the Manager of Maintenance, the Grounds & Maintenance Support Worker will carry out projects which improve the quality of the school's grounds and create a physical environment which enhances learning spaces and engenders pride in our school. The Grounds & Maintenance Support worker will also be required to work across both campuses.
Perform priority maintenance tasks as directed.
Work through a schedule of regular tasks including checking maintenance lists/issue tracker.
Maintain the school grounds, including landscaping, gardening, weed removal and mowing responsibilities.
Pick up and deliver goods using a school vehicle.
Liaise with contractors who can assist with the maintenance of the grounds and grounds' equipment.
Check the school grounds on a regular basis to ensure the school's grounds are safe.
Keep storage facilities OHS compliant, clean and tidy.
Assist with Hydrotherapy pool maintenance at both campuses.
Ensure that all building equipment, mowing equipment, garden tools, etc. are maintained and secured where appropriate.
Always maintain confidentiality.
Animal feeding and care for livestock.
Assistance with AIMS and other administration type tasks as required.
Contribute toward Buildings and Grounds committee meetings as well as OHS at a school wide level.
Work as part of a team across both campuses.
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
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM OUR SCHOOL?
Our school has a strong focus on assisting our students to reach their full potential. We are committed to the development of our Education Support staff with professional development programs offered in relevant areas.
You will be part of a vital, stimulating and challenging learning environment. The skills you bring to this environment will be accepted and used.
Our school has a committed School Council and we share a good relationship with our broader school community.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION:
Applicants must hold a current type 'E' Working with Children Check Card. In your application you must include both the name on your Working with Children Card and the actual card number.
Your application should persuade us that you are the best person for this position. It does not need to be long but should help us to decide if you would fit easily into our school philosophy and learning and teaching team. If you are submitting hardcopies of your application, please provide the school with four copies of your application.
Applicants must respond to the Key Selection Criteria for this position in their application. If you do not address the selection criteria you may not be offered an interview.
You are also requested to name two confidential referees that we can contact for further information.
OUR SELECTION PROCESS:
After the closing date, our Selection Panel will meet and consider the applications submitted by applicants. The Panel will short list applicants for interview, interviews will be conducted and referees contacted prior to a decision being made. If offered an interview you will be expected to present your current type "E" Working with Children's Check card.
The successful applicant will complete a Validation of Personal Information declaration and a Pre-Employment Health declaration.
Hours of Employment:
38 hours per week
This employee is required to work an additional 30 days during school holiday periods. A leave purchasing allowance will be paid for these days.
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. Applicants must hold a current Victorian Drivers licence.
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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
