The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2.  The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes.  The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning. 

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2
Range 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 students
- Model 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 capacity
- Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
- Supervise and train one or more student teachers
- Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1
The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs.  Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities. 
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice.  New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricula activities.

The 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.

Teachers 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.

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

A virtual tour of our school is available by visiting our website:  https://www.officerss.vic.edu.au/

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.

Where an ongoing teaching position in a special school is advertised:

• an ongoing teacher who does not hold an approved special education qualification may be offered permanent transfer to the school if the teacher has completed 3 or more years continuous employment in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting
• an external applicant, including an existing fixed term employee, who does not hold an approved special education qualification, but who holds provisional or full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching, may be offered ongoing employment if the teacher has completed 3 or more years of continuous employment as a teacher in the teaching service in a special setting and is assessed by the principal as suitable for ongoing employment in a special setting

Other than set out above, a teacher who does not have an approved special education qualification can only be offered:

• temporary transfer for a period not exceeding 3 years where the successful applicant is an ongoing employee, or
• fixed term employment for a period not exceeding 5 years where the successful applicant is not an ongoing employee

Please phone the school on 5943 2800 if you would like to discuss the position further.

• 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

To 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. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.

A person is not eligible for employment in the Teaching Service unless that person meets the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.

School Profile:  Due to Covid restrictions we cannot offer onsite tours.  Please see our virtual tour on the school website and call the school for any further information

Officer Specialist School is a purpose-built facility servicing the needs of students aged between 5-18, with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities in the shires of Cardinia and Casey; two of the fastest growing municipalities in Melbourne. The school opened in 2014 and the student population has increased rapidly each year, requiring the recruitment of new staff and additions to our buildings and facilities. There are two departments at the school, Primary and Secondary, and these include classrooms, visual and performance arts spaces, food technology kitchens for both departments (including the student run Shivering Chicken Café), multipurpose spaces and extensive therapy spaces. Areas for social gathering are also featured. With continued growth we now have a number of modular buildings including a Performing Arts Hub, Sensory Motor Room, Sustainability Hub and an Out of School Hours Pilot Program. The school has just opened two newly established sensory playgrounds.

School staff work in transdisciplinary teams that include teaching staff, allied health practitioners and education support staff to cater for the diverse range of student abilities and needs. Our teaming approach also provides opportunities for staff to learn from one another and share expertise. Specialist programs also include:

• Food Technology
• Art
• Performing Arts
• PE
• Sustainability
• Culture

Officer Specialist School aims to create reflective and independent learners for life through a learning community that provides a challenging and secure environment responsive to individual learning needs. We believe that effective learning occurs when outstanding and innovative teaching staff provide a variety of tasks that actively engage students who are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning. The expectation is that students will be successful and enthusiastic learners capable of building positive relationships.
Officer Specialist School believes that every child can and will learn in an environment of dignity and respect. It is the role of the school and its community to build on a child's strengths and talents to ensure that each child reaches their full potential.

The school aims to develop students who can contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of community life in a positive way. Students will engage in community activities throughout their time at the school in structured programs that support them to develop their personal and social skills.

Officer Specialist School and the wider community has engaged in a comprehensive consultative conversation, to clarify its shared vision for education, appropriate for preparing students with additional learning needs for the future.

Our dream at Officer Specialist School is to create a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment that empowers and inspires each member of our community to be their best.
 

The outcomes of the consultative process are encapsulated within five key areas describing our vision:

Key underpinnings to each of these areas of our vision for the future include:
 

Community

Our school is a family friendly centre of the community. It is inclusive, valuing the diversity of community members and their range of cultures.  All members share responsibility for the development of an inspired, educational community of independent citizens. We prioritise the development of community access skills such as travel, shopping and excursions to enrich student experiences and community engagement. The school also celebrates positive relationships with other schools in our area.

Values

  We are learners who are

• Safe
• Respectful
• Friendly
• Responsible
  These values are taught and reinforced throughout our school community and provide the basis for our Positive Behaviour Support Program.

Environment

Learning will be maximised within a safe environment, where students feel both motivated and empowered as they strive to be the best they can be. Environmental awareness will be promoted across the school community, fostering respect for personal and communal property and our environment.  The school has two newly created sensory garden spaces used throughout the day as learning spaces, for recreation and relaxation.  We also have a market garden as part of our kitchen garden program and a sustainability hub housing a range of school pets including birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Our extensive grounds include playgrounds, courtyards, basketball and netball courts, a gym and an oval.

Learning

Lifelong learning will be fostered for all members of the school community. It will be both collaborative and independent, following individual pathways to the future. Communication and Personal and Social Learning are a priority.  Diverse learning styles, interests and abilities will be catered for through a range of programs and each student will have an Individual Learning Plan with individualised priority learning goals.  Teaching and learning programs will be based on the Victorian Curriculum after a robust assessment process to identify learning priorities for each student.  Parents and carers are considered an important part of the team around each leaner and will be consulted during the development of the Individual Learning Plan and throughout the year.

The secondary students will participate in a Pathways program in their final two years to transition to the most rewarding post school options.  The students and parents/carers will be active in determining the Pathway Program that is most appropriate for them. Options are determined based on student interest and need and include (but are not limited to):

• Hospitality
• ICT: Digital Worlds
• Independent Living Skills
• Trade based skills
• Duke of Ed
• School Based Apprenticeship Training (SBAT)

Technology

Technology plays an important role in accessing the curriculum for students with additional    learning needs. Augmentative communication devices, switches and individually tailored computer programs provide support for student learning.  ICT skills are embedded in the learning programs across the school and a targeted program is included in Pathways options.

PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES

Pedagogical principles identified to support achievement of our vision are:
* The child is at the centre of all learning
* High expectations are held for and by the learning community and all members within it.
* Engagement will be facilitated through promoting thinking, active inquiry and relevant learning.
* Diverse learning styles will be catered for and supported through use of a wide range of teaching strategies and learning technologies
* Relationships are the key foundation to developing effective engagement with all members of the community. Interpersonal relationships and collaboration are fostered within the school community.

The school philosophy will be enacted through the following structures:
* Community consultation and engagement, newsletters and forums
* Staff professional development and induction processes
* Ongoing curriculum development
* Parent and family support structures

The school community has a commitment to ensuring that our students are offered a high quality education enhanced by a caring and supportive environment. Parents and members of the community at large are welcomed to the school and encouraged to participate in a range of activities and programs, including a very active Parents and Friends Association. Much emphasis is placed on educational opportunities, inviting the community to be involved to a greater extent in the school, and establishing the school as a focal point of the community. We value our family friendly culture.