Classroom Teacher / Mental Health Leader

Classroom Teacher / Mental Health LeaderJob posted: 11/11/2024
Classification: Classroom Teacher Range 2
Job duration: From 28/01/2025
Reference: 1450479
Occupation: Teacher
Salary Range: Salary not specified
Work location: Gippsland | Warragul
Selection CriteriaSC1 'Content of teaching and learning'. Demonstrated ability to inform and influence the work of others involved in the engagement, mental health, wellbeing or learning of children and young people.SC2 'Teaching practice'. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies relating to mental health, wellbeing or learning.SC3 'Assessment and reporting of student learning'. Demonstrated ability to support a student's mental health, wellbeing or learning by developing and maintaining connection with external services.SC4 'Interaction with the school community'. Demonstrated high level interpersonal skills and communication skills. Demonstrated high level of capability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, other employees and the broader school community to focus on student learning, wellbeing and engagement.SC5 'Professional requirements'. Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate by gaining buy-in and ownership for ideas, gaining agreement to proposals, or involving experts or other third parties to strengthen a case.RoleRange 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.
A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high-quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.
Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:
Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all studentsModel exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacityProvide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learningSupervise and train one or more student teachersAssist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.ResponsibilitiesThe role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:
Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.Who May ApplyTeachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
Conditions of EmploymentAll 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 Department HR Website.VIT LANTITETo be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements.
Location ProfileRipplebrook Primary School is situated on Westernport Road 14km from Drouin and 20km from Lang Lang, Ripplebrook Primary School sits on an expansive elevated site surrounded by farmland. The school has idyllic views of Ripplebrook's green rolling hills and towering trees. Many students travel from local townships finding our school, rich in values and pride, an inspiring and visionary place to learn and grow.
The school prides itself on setting high expectations for every student, providing the support, scaffolds, and resources to ensure every student achieves their personal best – academically, socially and emotionally. A comprehensive curriculum, a vision for academic excellence and lasting friendships between community members assist us in empowering our students to become self-motivated and successful individuals.
The school consists of three classrooms with a current student population of 40. Each classroom is supported by an ES member. Other facilities at the school include Library, Art Room, Gymnasium and Kitchen.
RoleThe Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System highlighted that primary schools provide opportunities to identify children with mental health and wellbeing challenges, who can then be referred to treatment, care and support.
The Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative is being expanded to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Scaling up across the state from 2023, by 2026 every primary school will be able to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to wellbeing.
The Department of Education has been piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in Victorian schools since 2020 in partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Evaluation of this pilot initiative has shown that 95 percent of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders consider the Mental Health in Primary Schools model has improved their school's capacity to support students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
Participating schools receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community.
The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:
build capability of the whole school with regard to mental health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention),provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs,establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention, and monitor and evaluate student progress.The role provides a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in mental health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Learning Communities Training developed and facilitated by the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
ResponsibilitiesOperating in collaboration with their school, leadership and wellbeing team where relevant, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will:
Promote a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing to students, staff and familiesSupport teachers and school staff to expand their capacity to embed evidence-based mental health strategies, interventions and programs and build mental health literacy to identify and support primary school students with mental health concerns.Collaborate with school staff to inform, influence and provide input into teaching and learning relating to mental health and wellbeing. Provide support to schools staff and classroom teachers to build their capabilities to embed mental health into the classroom.Work with school leadership and wellbeing teams to embed whole school approaches to mental health into school planning and strategic processes. Coordinate clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention.Proactively work with and support regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and other external agencies to coordinate targeted mental health support for primary school students.Contribute to the school's existing wellbeing team.To apply for this role, you will be redirected to the Schools (Government) job application system.

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