Taylors Lakes Secondary College commenced classes in 1992. The 2026 enrolment is expected to be at approximately 1300 students across years 7-12. The College is single campus and is situated on approximately 8 hectares, adjacent to Taylors Lakes Primary School and the Taylors Lakes Recreation Club. The school is located approximately 22 km north-west of Melbourne G.P.O. The College is part of a multi-cultural community. There is a small percentage of students born overseas, however many parents of students were born in countries where English is not the main language.
During 2025, we completed our School Review. Our Strategic Plan for the period 2026 -2029 has been developed, and the major strategic directions continue to focus on student achievement, student engagement and connectedness and student health and wellbeing. Curriculum and assessment development, together with effective instruction and feedback is a crucial element to further drive improvement and the College has begun implementing a whole school model to support these strategies including a major focus on differentiation and student voice and agency and a culture embedded with academic rigour and growth, effort and high expectations. Our TLSC Learner Model highlights our commitment to developing life-long learners, incorporating the e5 Model, wellbeing and also the essential skills of character, communication, citizenship, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. We value learning and growth for all students and staff.
In 2024 we commenced a greater focus on three pillars of Reading and English, Numeracy and Maths and VCE Improvement. With a focus on precision the leadership team is supporting all staff to improve their classroom instruction in these three areas. This has led to significant growth in student outcomes in all three areas. The College has a number of curriculum-based programs to support students and enhance engagement in their learning. The College Learning Enhancement and Advancement Program (LEAP) is now operating in its tenth year. There is a strong instrumental music and dance program that utilises the Performing Arts facility as well a strong Football Academy incorporating both AFL and Soccer.
We continue to place continued emphasis on student connectedness to school, particularly looking at attendance, development of student management procedures and the provision of a broad range of student wellbeing and pathways options for students. Digital (BYOD) learning is embedded across the college using netbook computers, accompanied by an expectation of teachers that they will use ICT to enhance teaching and student learning. Our leadership profile is designed to support the accountability framework associated with the Strategic Plan. Accountabilities of Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists within their roles align closely to key improvement foci within the Strategic Plan and Annual Improvement Plans.
The College is committed to a common documented curriculum, based on teachers planning and evaluating together. There is a history of curriculum innovation and a strong culture of promoting and expecting professional learning to enhance student-learning outcomes. Professional Learning Teams support the building of staff capacity. Teacher coaches work alongside other teachers.
Our assessment and reporting policy is consistent across all learning areas. A continuous reporting model is utilised whereby parents receive progress reports every 6 weeks across the semester as well as an end of semester report. In addition to assessing students against the Victorian Curriculum standards, graded assessment tasks are set in all subjects. A Learning Support Program has targeted students experiencing literacy and numeracy deficits. This operates at both an individual and group level, depending on the work to be done. There is a strongly supported Inclusive Program for students with disabilities and access to psychologists, social workers from the department and allied health staff from other agencies.
The co-curricular program is strong across the College with many camps (subject and level based) operating at different levels. Interschool sport is both diverse and comprehensive. An extensive student leadership program operates at all levels along with a school production and a large lunchtime activities program. Applied learning programs have commenced and will be a continued focus over the next few years. Afterschool homework clubs (VCE and Junior) attract high participation. The College has exchange programs with sister schools in Japan and Italy which sees wide school community involvement.
Teachers are central to the provision of a high-quality education. Good quality teaching programs are supported by the provision of quality education support staff. The school recognises it has a responsibility to induct, support, motivate and resource staff at a high level. It maintains a very strong commitment to the professional development of all staff, as evidenced by the financial commitment within the budget as well as support and encouragement given to staff to undertake professional learning. Staff who teach at Taylors Lakes Secondary College are required to participate in the performance development process as set by the department. This involves a commitment to further develop teaching strategies with a view to continued improvement in student learning outcomes. All staff are expected to be computer literate and to enhance learning technology in their teaching or other duties. Teachers are expected to support the BYOD learning program in their teaching, use their notebook within their classrooms both onsite and online and commitment to ongoing professional learning. All staff will be expected to use the school nominated fully integrated electronic communication and management package (Compass).
The College has been in a position over the last 10 years to complete a range of building projects, including upgrades to the administration area, staff facilities, and computer service centre. Our Performing Arts area has been expanded with additional instrumental music teaching and facilities as well as a major upgrade to our food technology and library areas. Our school grounds continue to be developed with landscaping, student seating and shade areas as well as an upgrade to all student toilets and change rooms. In 2023, the college had an upgrade to its sporting facilities, including the gymnasium, hardcourts, futsal courts, oval and surrounding areas.
SC1. Demonstrated completion of an appropriate course of training or relevant experience displaying the applicant's ability to work within a D & I program
SC2. Demonstrated ability to be able to structure and prioritise the work to be done.
SC3. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and communicate well with members of the team and beyond the team.
SC4. Demonstrates ability to work with minimal supervision.
SC5. Demonstrated awareness of safe use of equipment and materials in a school environment within OH&S guidelines and an awareness of relevant food handling expectations and requirements.
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:
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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.
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Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
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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.
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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.
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Assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas;
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Assist with the communication between students and teachers, particularly in the interpretation of instructions;
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Provide basic physical and emotional care for students;
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Participate in team meetings;
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Assist with toileting, meals, lifting and administration of medication to students requiring special care;
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Assist with the supervision of students at camps, on excursions, in sporting activities, therapy activities, life skills;
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Produce basic curriculum resources;
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Observe students and draw the attention of the teacher to them where necessary;
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Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student involvement and achievement;
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Ensure work areas and materials, equipment and appliances are maintained in a clean and ready to use condition;
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Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required;
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To undertake Professional Development activities to ensure the needs of students with particular disabilities and impairments are met;
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Act in accordance with the DET and Schools Child Safe Standards ie. Adherence with schools Child Safety Standards Code Of Conduct and awareness of Child Safe Standards and practices
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
PEOPLE PRINCIPLES
We support the following people principles which provide a basis for working productively within the College. The principles apply to all of our people and everything that we do.
They require that we:
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Deliver quality results
- Work collaboratively
- Behave ethically
- Respect and value others
- Develop self and others
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of three 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 our school policy, should we do this we shall advise you that we have done so.
Should it be necessary to make any enquiries regarding this position, please contact Jackie Scodella on 9390 3130 or
[email protected]-
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
