[8/10/2025] Learning Specialist

SC1Demonstrated expertise in early years literacy, with a focus on phonics and phonemic awareness. SC2Ability to model exemplary teaching practices and provide effective mentoring and coaching to colleagues. SC3Experience in curriculum planning, program implementation, and whole-school improvement strategies. SC4Strong skills in using assessment data to inform teaching, track progress, and differentiate learning. SC5Commitment to fostering respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environments in line with Ranfurly's ethos. SC6Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills to work effectively with staff, students, and the community. Role The Learning Specialist - Early Years at Ranfurly Primary School is a highly skilled educator who leads and models excellence in early years teaching, with a particular focus on foundational literacy and phonics instruction. This role combines direct classroom teaching with leadership, mentoring, and coaching responsibilities to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes across the school. Aligned with the Ranfurly Wat, the Learning Specialist fosters high expectations relationships building students who are Strong in the Heart and Smart in the Head. The position promotes a collaborative culture, ensuring the holistic development of all students while embedding the school's commitment to Respect, Pride, Safety, and personalised learning. The Learning Specialist supports the integration of evidence-based literacy programs, including the Sounds Write phonics approach, ensuring students in Foundation to Year 2 develop strong awareness, reading, and writing skills. By leading and mentoring colleagues, the Learning Specialist contributes to a culture of professional excellence, reflecting the school's ethos of continuous improvement and visible learning. Responsibilities Teaching & Curriculum Leadership - Deliver exemplary, evidence-based teaching in Foundation to Year 2, with a focus on phonics, phonemic awareness, and early literacy development. - Implement the Sounds Write program, a structured, systematic synthetic phones approach, to teach reading and spelling through explicit instruction of phoneme-grapheme correspondences. - Model high-quality teaching practices for colleagues and support the integration of phonics across literacy programs. - Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Mentoring & Professional Learning - Provide mentoring, coaching and feedback to colleagues, supporting professional growth and the effective implementation of literacy programs. - Support pre-service and early career teachers in embedding phonics and literacy strategies within their teaching practice. - Facilitate professional learning communities to share evidence-based strategies and use student data to inform teaching. - Collaborate with school leadership to develop implement and evaluate whole-school literacy initiatives. - Use assessment data to inform instruction, identify learning needs, and track student progress. - Lead programs that enhance oral language, reading fluency, writing skills and social-emotional development. - Support initiatives that embed the Ranfurly ethos - high expectations relationships, respect, pride and safety - into daily teaching practices. Community Engagement - Foster partnerships with parents, carers and the broader community to support student learning and well-being. - Participate actively in school events, committees and professional networks to strengthen the school's connection with the Northern Mallee community. 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. Diversity and Inclusion The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines ). Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) viamarrung@education.vic.gov.au 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. 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: 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: - 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. To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class: - The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and - if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and - a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also 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 ITE program completed by the person). Ranfurly Primary School, established in 1993, is situated in a developing residential area of Mildura. As an educational institution, Ranfurly has played an integral role in the local community, partnering with other schools in the Northern Mallee region. With an enrolment of approximately four hundred students, our school has maintained a consistent student population over the past few years. At Ranfurly, we embrace a collaborative approach, working hand in hand with our community to provide successful education for our students. As a Stronger Smarter School, we emphasize the development of both intellectual prowess and emotional resilience. Through our "Strong in the Heart" and "Smart in the Head" ethos, we foster a culture of high expectations and meaningful relationships, creating a motivated and focused learning environment where children thrive and actively engage in their educational journey. We prioritize personalised student learning by implementing rigorous data tracking methods and thoughtfully planning for each student's next learning steps. In the heart of our educational philosophy lies our unwavering dedication to the well-being and growth of our students¿the essence of the "Ranfurly Way." Ranfurly takes pride in its diverse student population, which brings a rich mix of cultural backgrounds, enhancing the unique and vibrant learning atmosphere of our school. Aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, our comprehensive teaching and learning programs place particular emphasis on the development of literacy and numeracy skills. To ensure that each student receives exceptional support, we remain committed to maintaining smaller class sizes. Our team of educators comprises a blend of graduates, accomplished, and expert teachers. Additionally, we offer specialized programs in visual arts, performing arts, and physical education, enriching the educational experience for all students. We firmly believe in empowering our students through fostering their voice and developing their metacognition. By cultivating assessment-capable learners (Visible Learning), we equip our students with the knowledge and understanding of how they learn, enabling them to make meaningful progress in their lives now and in the future. To support their social development, we have implemented comprehensive social competency education through programs such as You Can Do It and The Resilience Project. Moreover, our senior students benefit from specialized leadership programs that prepare them for important roles within the school's leadership structure. At Ranfurly, we also recognise the significance of global citizenship and intercultural understanding. In line with this, we offer a language program that introduces students to general Chinese, providing them with an opportunity to experience and learn about another culture and language within our region. Our modern and permanent facilities encompass 20 classrooms organized into 4 Class Neighbourhoods, facilitating flexible teaching arrangements when appropriate. Our well-equipped library serves as the heart of the school, functioning as both a learning and resource centre. Complementing these facilities are dedicated spaces for the arts, a gymnasium, and a canteen. Embracing technology, students in Years P to 6 have individual access to 1-to-1 digital devices, empowering them to develop essential skills for connectivity beyond the confines of the classroom. We take great pride in the active involvement of our School Council and Parents' Club, who provide invaluable support for the diverse range of programs offered at our school. We place a strong emphasis on parental engagement and family activities, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Our school motto, RESPECT for others, PRIDE in ourselves, and SAFETY for all, underpins all aspects of student conduct. Engaging our community stands as a key priority in our Strategic Plan, reflecting our commitment to the individual development and personal well-being of all our students. We strive to create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters strong connections between school and home. By choosing Ranfurly Primary School, you become part of a vibrant educational community dedicated to providing a high-quality education and supporting the holistic growth of our students. Applications close Tuesday 21 October 2025 at 11.59pm #J-18808-Ljbffr