First Nations Program Coordinator (Es1-4)

Job Description Location: North West Region | Bendigo
Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2027
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Education and Training
Reference: 1442973
Selection Criteria SC1 Cultural Competency: Strong understanding of First Nations cultures, histories, and contemporary issues, particularly within the context of education in Victoria. Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with First Nations students, families, and communities. SC2 Program Coordination Experience: Proven experience in developing and coordinating educational and/or cultural engagement programs, preferably within a school setting. Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously, with a focus on achieving positive outcomes for students.
SC3 Student Support and Advocacy: Experience in providing tailored support to First Nations students. Strong advocacy skills, with the ability to navigate and address challenges that may affect First Nations students¿ educational experiences.
SC4 Communication and Relationship-Building: E xcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, families, staff, and community organisations. Demonstrated ability to build strong, trusting relationships with First Nations communities and external partners.
SC5 Commitment to Education and Equity: A genuine commitment to improving educational outcomes for First Nations students and promoting equity within the school environment. Understanding of the Victorian education system, including policies and frameworks relevant to First Nations education such as Marrung, Dhelk Wukang, Self Determination, and the Aboriginal Employment Plan.
SC6 Administrative Skills: Strong organisational and administrative skills, with experience in reporting, record-keeping, and resource management. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and program development.
Role The First Nations Program Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing programs and initiatives that support First Nations students within Bendigo Senior Secondary School (BSSC). This role focuses on enhancing educational outcomes, cultural inclusion, and community engagement while providing tailored support to First Nations students to ensure their academic and personal success.
Responsibilities 1. Program Development and Implementation: Support strategies to enhance the educational engagement and achievement of First Nations students. Develop and coordinate programs and initiatives that support the cultural, and social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations students. Work collaboratively with school staff, community members, and external organisations to create culturally safe, inclusive and responsive education program and setting. 2. Student Support: Facilitate targeted support to First Nations students, including coordinating tutoring and mentoring. Support the transition of First Nations students into BSSC. With the support of the Student Engagement team, Advisors and teachers, monitor, and track the academic progress, attendance, and wellbeing of First Nations students to identify and address any barriers to success. Organise Student Support Group meetings and, with the Student Engagement team, the development of Individual Education Plans that support student engagement and achievement. Advocate for the needs and rights of First Nations students within the school community. 3. Cultural Understanding and Education: Contribute to a college culture that is building understanding and respect for First Nations cultures through cultural education, events, and activities. Support the provision of cultural understanding training, and cultural competency and inclusive practices to college staff. Organise cultural events, workshops, and activities that celebrate and educate about First Nations heritage including the biennial Central Victorian Indigenous Careers Expo. 4. Community and Family Engagement: Build strong relationships with First Nations families, acting as a liaison between the school and the community. Facilitate communication between families and the school, ensuring that First Nations students' needs and aspirations are understood and supported. Engage with local First Nations organisations and Elders to enrich the school¿s programs and support networks. 5. Collaboration: Work closely with Student Engagement Coordinators to provide the best learning, engagement and wellbeing outcomes for students. Support initiatives to improve school-wide understanding and implementation of reconciliation actions and principles. Collaborate with other staff members to support the school¿s broader diversity and inclusion goals. 6. Administration and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of program activities and community engagement efforts. Prepare monthly reports for the school leadership team and relevant external bodies on the effectiveness of First Nations programs and initiatives. Assist in securing funding and resources for First Nations programs through grants and partnerships. Who May Apply Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position. This includes:
Relevant qualifications in education, community development, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Experience working within the education sector, particularly in roles focused on First Nations students and communities. Current Working with Children Check (WWCC).
This role is identified as available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only. Confirmation of the Indigenous status of applicants may be requested. The Department of Education is committed to taking positive action to eliminate discrimination to the greatest possible extent. It recognises that discrimination can cause social and economic disadvantage, and the achievement of substantive equality may require the taking of special measures. To this end, the Department of Education and Training considers this position to be a `special measure¿ for the purposes of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). For information on special measures provisions visit:
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 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 Location Profile Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) is a Year 11 and 12 school located in one of Victoria's strongest and fastest growing regional areas. With an enrolment of 1800 students, we are the largest provider of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered in schools in the state.
Our ROLE at BSSC is to empower learners for individual, community and global leadership, underpinned by the values of Respect, Optimism, Learning and Engagement. We are proud of the significant role we play supporting young people from the Greater Bendigo community to access high quality education programs, tailored to meet the individual needs and pathway goals of every student.
BSSC is located within the Rosalind Park precinct in the centre of Bendigo and has enjoyed an unrivalled picturesque location on this site for more than a century. The entire college site is on the Victorian Heritage Register. Staff, students and the broader community value the history of the college, and the contribution it has made to the city and to state education.
The college provides an inclusive learning environment which supports students to develop attributes and behaviours necessary to be respectful community members, independent and resourceful learners and to achieve success within and beyond school. We foster a strong study culture with high expectations around student effective use of private study time in the various study spaces around the college. Students are provided with free access to an extensive range of high quality learning support and exam revision opportunities.
Staff are committed to supporting the academic progress and wellbeing of students where strong, respectful relationships are the basis for all communication. Students are encouraged to interact closely with their teachers and seek help at any time.
The college has a reputation for exemplary use of ICT and delivery of online learning. Students have high level access to ICT and the college operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model where students provide their own laptop or other device to support their learning. There is an emphasis on the use of blended delivery, which allows students to access digital curriculum resources to support the classroom instruction provided by teachers. This is enhanced by access to digital content developed through the Victorian Virtual Learning Network, a BSSC initiative where the college provides VCE online to students in schools around the state in a range of VCE studies.
An online portal is available which allows parents to monitor attendance, work completion and achievement in real time and provides for the approval of absences. Teachers upload key assessment outcomes and comments in a progressive reporting model.
A strength of our college is the expertise and commitment of our dedicated staff. Teachers at BSSC play a leading role in state wide curriculum development, subject associations, VCAA assessment processes and in the professional learning of teachers across the state. All staff are expected to demonstrate the highest professional standards and a commitment to excellence. The college has a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement which is supported by a rigorous performance and development process, allowing recognition of outstanding work and identification of areas for further improvement.
A wide range of VCE studies is offered and students can select units in Business and Information Technology, English, Health & Physical Education, Languages & EAL, Humanities, Mathematics, Performing Arts & Media, Science, Technology and Visual Arts. An accelerated learning program operates in conjunction with Bendigo¿s four government 7-10 colleges where students are able to undertake some VCE studies whilst in Year 10 and are then encouraged to undertake a Unit 3/4 study in their first year at the college.
Students have access to the VCE¿s Vocational Major offering and the Victorian Pathways Certificate and also to Head Start school based apprenticeships and traineeships.
Student programs are tailored to meet the learning, wellbeing and pathway goals of each student. Programs can include combinations of studies at Unit 1/2 and 3/4 level, completing the VCE over three years or negotiating a program to meet individual student health, school-based apprenticeship or elite sport training commitments. We have a close relationship with the four government Year 7-10 colleges in Bendigo and work together around orientation activities and pathways advice to support students in making informed program choices and a positive transition to our college.
The college is a Registered Training Organisation with many Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs on its scope of registration. Strong relationships with other training providers in Bendigo and our Trade Training Centre provide our students with access to excellent vocational training facilities and opportunities.
As a senior secondary education provider, we specialise in assisting students to make a positive transition to the next stage of their lives, whether that is to University or other study, apprenticeships or traineeships or directly on to employment. Extensive careers and pathways advice is available to students and is complemented by the individual support each student receives from their Advisor who closely monitors their wellbeing and progress. Additional support to assist students to stay engaged with their learning is provided through our Wellbeing Team. Students can access support from our Student Wellbeing Team and other visiting department staff.
NETschool is a second campus of the college, providing curriculum access for 15 to 18 year old students who have been outside mainstream schooling or training. NETschool provides access to VCE and VET subjects from its central city location.
The college provides outstanding facilities to support student learning in a combination of historic and modern facilities. These include the Ulumbarra Performing Arts Centre which incorporates a 1000 seat theatre, café and foods/hospitality facilities. Other recent modernised or new building projects include the Student Services Centre, library, Multimedia Centre and outdoor recreation area. A major project to refurbish the historic Maths building will be completed for the start of the 2024 school year. Other purpose-built facilities include our Language Centre and Trade Training Centre. Each of these areas contain casual student study spaces and high-level access to ICT.
One of the features of the college for many years has been the presence of students from other countries who come to study as fee paying students or through exchange programs. International students are supported in homestay arrangements with local families who provide cultural and language enrichment experiences. We are proud of the work we do to support New Arrival and refugee students, including through our intensive EAL program.
The college highly values the presence and contribution of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student population. These students are assisted by a range of additional support services which are closely linked to families and Community.
The international focus of the college is wide ranging and includes sister school relationships in China, France, Germany and Indonesia. When travel conditions allow, students can participate in curriculum and intercultural learning exchanges to these countries, and also to Italy and Greece. College curriculum has also developed a focus on the building of student global perspectives.
The college runs a very successful Confucius Classroom program in partnership with a Chinese agency and a Chinese sister school. This program attracts high quality Chinese teachers to Bendigo who deliver Chinese language and culture programs into over twenty Bendigo primary and secondary schools, and evening classes for the broader Bendigo community. This program is supporting young people from around the region to access an additional language and build their intercultural competence.
At BSSC we believe that every child is capable of achieving and has a right to a high-quality education which will empower them with the attitude, knowledge and skills necessary for success in life and work beyond school.
For further information about the College visit

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