Es 1-2 - Multicultural Aide/Interpreter (Pasifika)

Job Description Location: Melbourne | Cranbourne
Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025 - 20/12/2025
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Education and Training
Reference: 1443522
Location Profile Alkira is a Wurundjeri word meaning Big Sky. It was chosen to highlight the place of our learning high on a hill and also the wide and endless opportunities that we make available to our school community.
The school continues to be a school of choice in the local area forcing us to manage extreme enrolment growth and transition of students across all year levels reflecting a shift in demographics and diversity of our surrounding community. This year the school enrolments have peaked at 1935 FTE enrolments, not including a number of International students and part time students enrolled in online or offsite programs. Our SFOE index is Medium at 0.4337. Our school is highly multicultural with 30 % of students being born overseas. Enrolments also include Aboriginal students, EAL students and NCCD students.
The School vision and statement of purpose and core values from day one recognised our responsibility to provide a personalised education for every child in our emerging community.
To ensure we maintain our sense of community and strong relationships, our school is broken up into sub schools and is also emerging into a senior, middle and junior school. This schools within school SWIS model helps to ensure every student is known and their personal, educational, and social needs are monitored, managed and supported by a staff of over 200. Pastoral Care is a significant aspect of the SWIS model and further supports the notion of securing the entitlements of all students. Pastoral Care has a focus on developing student learning experiences with the notion that the PC teacher and sub school support team continues to plan for student improvement.
We have embraced 21C learning and developed a range of programs and resources to promote independent learning and improved student achievement. All students `bring their own device¿ (BYOD) and work within a dedicated Learning Management system (Compass) while having access to other blended learning resources.
Our dynamic curriculum and teaching and learning programs are supported through Professional Learning Communities and focused professional development and coaching. The College has an agreed model of instruction that supports High Impact Teaching strategies.
An orderly learning environment is created by high and consistent expectations that are guided and supported by our College non negotiables. Our agreed behaviour management processes support a student's right to a safe and secure learning environment, and a teacher's right to direct and establish such an environment. The program is very successful as it focuses on students' work and provides an opportunity for reflection and involves a restorative process.
Our school is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. We adhere to the principles of the Berry Street Education Model and The Resilience Project, which emphasize trauma-informed education, resilience, and emotional well-being. Our commitment extends to being ahead of the curve in supporting students with disabilities, ensuring they have access to tailored resources and opportunities for success. We also provide robust support for Koori students, honouring their cultural heritage and promoting educational equity. Additionally, we offer comprehensive assistance to students in out-of-home care, recognizing their unique challenges and providing stability and encouragement. Through these initiatives, we create a nurturing and equitable community where every learner can thrive.
Our teachers are expected to contribute to wider non curricula programs and support and celebrate our student's achievements. We run a system of providing course work support and extra learning opportunities outside our regular timetable.
Pathway programs are established in years 10 -12 and include opportunities for students to be involved in VCE and supplement their programs with a VET program in their chosen vocational area.
We have developed an extensive international partnership or network of sister schools in China and India, international PD, exchange and global collaborative projects are encouraged within our curriculum and teaching programs.

Alkira! a great place to work.
Selection Criteria 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. Role 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:
Providing significant support to Pasifika students 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.
Responsibilities MEAs (Pasifika) - are employed by schools to support EAL learners, their families, and the families of other students who require language assistance when communicating with the school. The MEA's skills in a language or languages other than English enable them to act as a bridge between the school and families. They can also contribute to making the mainstream curriculum more responsive to Victoria's rich cultural heritage and diversity.
MEAs are able to assist with:
effective communication between students and teachers in the classroom integrating EAL learners into school activities by helping them to understand school expectations and goals assisting teachers to understand the home cultures and the expectations families have of the school and of education in general assisting newly arrived families to settle into the school community. Support for students and teachers
One of the main roles of an MEA is to assist EAL students in classroom programs. Under teacher supervision and guidance, MEAs can:
support EAL students in their learning by explaining concepts or instructions in the learners' first or other language/s assist individual EAL students or groups of students in mainstream or EAL classes provide teachers with insights into student's cultural backgrounds and experiences assist with activities and excursions. assist the teacher with the development of materials contribute cultural perspectives to curriculum content to make it more relevant to all students assist with the enrolment of new EAL students assist teachers to communicate with parents and other family members prepare simple (low-risk) written information for parents, such as notes, notices or basic information about the school. Professional translators should be used for sensitive information or when high-risk, complex or technical information is being communicated.
Support for parents and the community
The MEA is an important link between the school, parents and the local community. MEAs need guidance on the kinds of support that are appropriate for them to offer families. Within program and school guidelines, and under supervision where appropriate, MEAs are well placed to liaise with family members and members of the community to foster communication and to encourage parents to participate fully in the life of the school. They can:
assist with communication between parents and the school foster links between families and the school liaise informally with community members encourage parents to take part in school events and activities, such as fundraising, school council or parents groups explain school policies and activities to students and parents make home visits with the Student Welfare Coordinator or the school administration provide liaison between parents, community organisations and other school staff develop contact with services and resources in the community so that parents can be informed of services available inform the school about family circumstances (with the family's permission) that may impact on student learning. MEAs need to be made aware of their responsibilities regarding confidential and sensitive information. They may need to let parents know that any information that is given to them in their role as an MEA may be passed on to the school if it is in the best interests of the student/s involved.
Provision of language assistance
MEAs play a valuable role in using their language skills for direct communication with students and parents but should not be used as interpreters or translators. MEAs will not necessarily have formal qualifications or accreditation in interpreting or translation and are not employed as professional translators or interpreters.
Effective MEAs assist EAL learners to learn English and to understand what is expected of them in the classroom. Effective MEAs act as a support for teachers as well as students by:
following up observations on lack of student comprehension in the classroom encouraging positive behaviours in the school ground and in the classroom acting as a positive role model following up issues between teachers and students using the time the teacher has allocated for independent work to assist as many EAL learners from their linguistic background as possible working with careers practitioners to help students understand the kinds of educational pathways open to them. When assisting students in the classroom, MEAs may find it useful to follow an educational approach common in Australia; that young people learn best through researching and problem solving. Teachers encourage students to work both independently and as part of teams or groups.
MEAs should:
encourage students to think independently rather than providing students with the answers allow students to answer questions before explaining what is required encourage students to listen when the teacher and other students are contributing answers or explanations encourage students to research and complete tasks by themselves give short explanations in the background language when a topic is being introduced or when students do not understand required reading. Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS Commitment 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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards 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:
DE Values 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:
Other Information 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
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 and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two 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 policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
Conditions of Employment 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
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