Leading Teacher

Role

Leading teachers will be highly skilled classroom practitioners and undertake leadership and management roles commensurate with their salary range. The role of leading teachers is to improve the skill, knowledge and performance of the teaching workforce in a school or group of schools and to improve the curriculum program of a school.

Typically, leading teachers are responsible for coordinating a number of staff to achieve improvements in teaching and learning which may involve the coordination and professional support of colleagues through modelling, collaborating and coaching and using processes that develop knowledge, practice and professional engagement in others.

Leading teachers are expected to lead and manage a significant area or function within the school with a high degree of independence to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program.

Leading teachers will be expected to make a significant contribution to policy development relating to teaching and learning in the school. A leading teacher has a direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals.

Leading teachers are usually responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan.

Responsibilities

Vision Statement:

Drawing on the space sciences, VSSEC is acknowledged in Victoria, nationally and globally as a leader in evidence-based STEM education, contributing to a society that values critical reasoning and is scientifically literate. We share a vision with our host school to inspire within all students a commitment to personal, social and academic growth as individuals and members of an inclusive learning community. We aim to develop their responsibility as global citizens and celebrate initiative, effort and success.

General Description:

In this position the major emphasis will lie in development of specific curriculum.

The VSSEC Curriculum Leader is responsible and accountable to the College Principal and the Director of the centre. The key focus of the role is the development and evaluation of the process of effective curriculum delivery across the state.They will provide leadership, information, direction and support to the teaching and educational support staff at the center.Depending on the specific focus, it will necessitate support the Director with various stakeholders (Department of Education, Tertiary Institutions, Industry, and the wider community) to ensure effective implementation of agreed programs and policies.

The VSSEC Curriculum Leader will be proactive in identifying statewide curriculum needs supported with data and in recognising changing needs in education. They will work with relevant teams of staff to develop and implement strategies for change.

The VSSEC Curriculum Leader will be at the forefront of raising curriculum issues and will promote debate in a range of ways, for example through dissemination of information, formation of specific working parties, and organisation of community of practice meetings.They will ensure that curriculum is guaranteed and viable and responsive to the needs of the students, teachers and education support staff.

Communication and Collaboration

The VSSEC Curriculum Leader will work collaboratively with the Director to implement the center¿s Teaching and Learning Framework. The VSSEC Curriculum Leader will collaborate with the program manager and relevant staff to lead the implementation of evidence-based practice in the centre programs. They will ensure that the curriculum is guaranteed and viable and responsive to the needs of the students and Education Departments statewide policies.

Responsibilities:

·Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in one¿s own practice as both a teacher and an educational leader and assist others in their professional growth

·Lead, initiate and evaluate the implementation of teaching and learning strategies relating to center and host school improvement for all students

·Lead the integration of instructional practice in the effective teaching of science and mathematics learning areas and support teachers and educators to improve their instructional practice across the state

·Develop and implement a Center Strategic Plan for improving teacher practice and student outcomes

·Lead others in designing and maintaining evidence based engaging curriculum across the center and provide support to host school with clear progression from junior years to VCE

·Implement, review and report on Strategic Plan goals and priorities as they relate to Teaching and Learning

·To assist the Director of the Center in the implementation of Teaching and Learning priorities as set out in the Centre Strategic Plan and to provide reports to the College Principal as required.

·In conjunction with center staff and external providers to lead and manage the professional development of teachers

·Mentor center staff to develop their leadership capacity

·Collaborate with Learning specialist and other teachers in the development and implementation of effective teaching and learning strategies

·To ensure that agreed policies, procedures and practices are followed and any necessary documentation maintained.

·To convene meetings, lead an appropriate PLC structure, publish agendas and minutes and ensure that agreed action is taken.

·To work closely with VSSEC Program Manager, in relation to center program effectiveness and delivery and advise the Director and wider staff as necessary.

·Represent VSSEC and Strathmore Secondary College in Teaching and Learning statewide Network meetings and liaise with other Tech Schools and Specialist Maths and Science centers in our Network.

·To ensure that evaluation of Teaching and Learning occurs as part of an agreed cyclical process.

·Assist the Director with the planning and support of staff professional development within the center.

·Assist the Director to complete a staff Professional Development Plan (PDP) based on individual development needs, student learning and school priorities.

·Assist the Director to fulfill duties associated with center coordination such as budgetary and resource management.

Who May Apply

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.

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 ).

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

VIT LANTITE

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.

Location Profile

Strathmore Secondary College is situated between Pascoe Vale Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek in the northern suburb of Strathmore. The school was founded in 1957 with 186 students. The population has grown considerably and now the school draws the majority of its population of over 1900 students from within the designated neighbourhood area bounded by Strathmore Heights, Pascoe Vale and Essendon.

Strathmore Secondary College employs a total of 203 teaching and non-teaching staff. In such a large school facilities and space are at a premium. The students are placed within one of five school teams vertically structured across Year 7 - 12 and are supported by core teachers in Faculty Areas. Junior school team leaders and coordinators work closely with Year 7 / 10 students, teachers and parents to develop positive relationships to support student learning. VCE leaders and team coordinators, supported by a VCE Administration officer and Careers Coordinators, work with Year 11 and 12 students to achieve outstanding results so students reach their desired pathways. Outcomes for Strathmore Secondary Students are positive with VCE results well above the state average in study scores and real retention rates at 75% compared to a state average of 50%.

Strathmore Secondary College provides a learning environment that is both inspiring and nurturing. While restricted in its long-term planning for school facilities, the physical structure of the school welcomes young people and provides a stimulating, respectful and innovative environment in which learning is valued. It also offers a very strong welfare and pastoral care environment lead by a number of specialist and welfare staff.

The strengths of the college are in its commitment to academic excellence, music, the visual and performing arts and sport. These programs provide diverse opportunities for students including school productions, music concerts, art and technology exhibitions, and sporting carnivals-allowing students to develop leadership and collaborative skills in a range of non-classroom settings. They are also important opportunities for the broader school community to gather and celebrate. In addition the school has a well-developed international student program.

The College has become a high performing school by implementing an instructional model based on research from McREL, Marzano Institute and Learning Horizons. This has led to improvements in student outcomes and enabled teachers to develop as classroom practitioners with clear expectations around pedagogy. This instructional model is supported by the work of instructional coaches and weekly professional learning community teams. The College has a long history of using technology and has recently moved to a 1:1 Bring Your Own iPad program. This provides students with access to digital technology in every class to engage students and develop them as global citizens.

The school provides leadership in the teaching of science, technology and mathematics in Victoria in conjunction with the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC), which was established on the school site in 2006. VSSEC is a unique resource that is one of six specialist Science centres in the state. VSSEC is integrated with College programs and provides quality teacher professional development to ensure that teachers are exposed to the latest developments and innovations in science and technology.

At a wider community level, Strathmore Secondary College works cooperatively with other schools and educational providers within the Moonee Valley district to ensure that the educational needs of all students are met by the provision of a range of educational pathways.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please ensure 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 Who May Apply section.

·Names and contact numbers (telephone and email) of two referees

·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.

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