Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who continue to spend the majority of their time in the classroom delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning.  Learning Specialists are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons and, mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.

The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service.

In recognition of the importance of exemplary practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Learning Specialists may include but are not limited to:

• Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice
• Modelling exemplary classroom practice including through teaching demonstration lessons
• Working with the school leadership team to develop a shared view of highly effective teacher practice
• Leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery
• Playing a key role in the provision of professional learning, including through developing processes and protocols for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration
• Modelling effective learning practice and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback and on their practice
• Providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development
• Providing expert advice about the context, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
• Supervising and training one or more student teachers and mentoring and/or coaching teachers
• Modelling exemplary use of student data to inform teaching approaches
• Developing and promoting school-wide professional learning structures, processes and protocols through Professional Learning Communities
• Modelling exemplary professional learning practice included through seeking feedback from other teachers and leaders on their own classroom practice as part of critical reflection and inquiry to improve practice

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 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).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on: brett.west@education.vic.gov.au

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:

 Child Safe Standards: Policy | education.vic.gov.au

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DE’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE’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 DE values is available at:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• 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

• 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.

Harvest Home Primary School is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) School that opened in 2017. Under the PPP model, the school is designed, constructed, and maintained by the private sector to high contractual standards over 25 years, allowing Principals and teachers to focus on student learning, rather than asset management. The school is located on Harvest Home Road, Epping in the City of Whittlesea. The school has a total of 1026 enrolments with over 100 staff, including 4 principal class.

The modern facilities provide a contemporary educational design that promotes active student-centred learning through the creation of technology rich, adaptable and functional learning environments. In addition, the purposeful use of digital technologies is embraced as the school has a BYOD program that enhances learning experiences in a flexible and innovative manner. Through this approach, students are empowered to think `beyond their own context¿ which enables them to be develop as `global citizens¿. 

The school has been designed with a strong emphasis on community connections and partnerships, with a `Community Hub¿ that encourages community use and engagement. A full-size Stadium, Performing Arts studio, Staff Professional Learning Centre, and STEAM Centre, that provide students and teachers with facilities that are reflective of 21st Century design, pedagogy, and learning. 

All teachers and students are in collaborative Learning Communities that create flexible teaching options to better cater for the individual needs of all students. The teachers work in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that use an inquiry focus to drive planning, instruction, wellbeing, inclusion, and outcomes.  All teachers adopt and display a shared responsibility for every student within each Learning Community. In 2022, Harvest Home PS became a PLC link school to support schools with structured collaboration and practice-sharing to spread best-practice through the system.  The Victorian Curriculum is embedded into the teaching and learning program, with strategies, including the use of the HHPS Learner Dispositions, that encourage all students to have high standards of themselves, their peers, their work, and to always produce their best in a positive, engaging, and inclusive climate.

The school has exemplary programs and is seen as a prominent school in the area of School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and Respectful Relationships, which are both underpinned with a Positive Climate Training Centre. Other programs also include STEAM, Sports, Literacy and Numeracy, together with the Arts. All students participate in the Specialists subjects of Physical Education, Visual Art, Science, STEAM, Spanish, and Mindfulness.

The school provides access to an education of the highest quality for the young people of Epping. Students are engaged through stimulating, relevant and inspiring educational experiences that ignite a life-long passion for learning and a strong community connectedness. Harvest Home Primary School upholds high expectations for all with an emphasis on embedding its positive school culture.