Director of Humanities

Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Leading Teacher - Range 3

Occupation: Leading teacher

Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs

Reference:

Location Profile

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the BHS Strategic Plan , BHS Annual Report and the 2025 Annual Implementation Plan as well as other key documentation on our website:

Selection Criteria

SC1Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum, and implement school priorities.

SC2 Demonstrated expertise in the implementation and modelling of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth

SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to support others to reflect on their practice and facilitate school-based professional learning.

Role

Thank you for your interest in the Director of Humanities position at Balwyn High School. We are seeking a high performing educational leader who can work collaboratively and effectively to make a positive and significant contribution to the positive academic outcomes and wellbeing of students and our community members.

The Director of Humanities will work closely with the Assistant Principal (Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Learning) and the Director of Pedagogy as well as with the other Directors of Learning and the Learning Specialists responsible for Literacy and Numeracy across the Curriculum and Learning Analytics.

The successful candidate for this position will be expected to be an active member of the school¿s Leadership Team. As an educational leader they will be committed to the leadership and management of change and continuous school improvement. They will have specific portfolio duties and will be actively involved in whole school leadership. As a member of the Leadership Team the educational leader will be committed to their own professional learning and creating and sustaining a performance and development culture. The successful candidate will take their place in a Leadership Team that prides itself on working collaboratively to support best practice.

Leading Teachers share responsibility for whole school improvement and effectiveness and for implementation of the school¿s Vision, Values and Mission. As an educational leader the Director of Humanities will be actively involved in leading and managing the creation of a learning community and the improvement of student learning outcomes. This requires high level commitment to the implementation of the School Strategic Plan goals and priorities and the strategic direction of the school.

Our Directors of Learning will have a high-level knowledge of educational research and practice as it relates to student learning and the design of curriculum that promotes powerful learning in all students. They will be leaders with the ability to initiate and manage change and engender enthusiasm for positive innovation for the development of the Victorian Curriculum in Years and for the continuing implementation of VCE courses.

The Director of Humanities will model a commitment to on-going professional learning and growth. They will provide high level whole school leadership and exemplify the professional standards expected of teachers. A five-period time allowance is provided for this position. [Please note: we operate on a timetable of four 74-minute lessons per day].

Responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities:

• to provide overall leadership and coordination for the development, implementation and evaluation of the subjects in the Learning Area consistent with the Department of Education and Training, the Victorian Curriculum, School Council policies and guidelines as expressed in the School Strategic Plan
• to actively participate in the implementation of the whole school curriculum plan

• to be an active member of the Leadership Team and make a high-level contribution to the implementation of the goals and priorities of Strategic and Annual Implementation Plans

• to ensure quality assurance in the design and delivery of curriculum based on educational research and learning theory

• to implement pedagogical reform in the learning area
• to lead and support the staff in the infusion of the Vision and Values and the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model into all aspects of the curriculum program
• the use of appropriate computer-based learning technologies
• use of SharePoint and Teams for storing resources and collaborating to enhance student learning outcomes
• to proactively lead the improvement of teacher effectiveness through the professional learning program and the annual review processes
• to provide, promote and monitor the professional learning for all learning area members as means of improving teacher effectiveness
• to use a variety of data sets to inform the design of curriculum, including the selection of instructional strategies, so that the learning programs cater for a range of student abilities, learning styles and developmental stages
• to co-ordinate the preparation of courses of study at each level and to ensure that all teachers are familiar with them
• to foster a mutually supportive and cohesive learning area team with leadership based on consultation
• to have overall responsibility for excursions conducted by the Learning Area and to ensure that school policy and Department of Education guidelines are observed
• to oversee the staffing profile and allotments in conjunction with the Assistant Principal (Staffing) and other relevant Leading Teachers

Tasks:

• to maintain the Commerce Hall of Achievement, including actively seeking worthy inductees
• to assume a teaching role in the Learning Area and where appropriate to assist less experienced teachers with support and subject advice
• to conduct formal meetings at regular intervals which involve all teachers of subjects in the Learning Area and through these meetings:
• ensure a quality curriculum through the review of courses including content, pedagogy, assessment, etc.
• ensure that meetings provide opportunities for professional learning and sharing of effective practice
• ensure that minutes of these meetings are recorded and available for all staff to access
• to support and encourage Learning Area staff to share ideas, teaching strategies and resources and to develop appropriate programs for their classrooms
• to support staff (in consultation with Sub-school Teams) with classroom management strategies
• to encourage the professional development and growth of all Learning Area members and to liaise with the Director of Pedagogy or Learning Specialists on the provision of appropriate support and professional learning activities
• to disseminate relevant information related to teaching, learning, assessment and reporting to Learning Area staff and provide support to meet the associated expectations
• to coordinate participation in selected District, State and National Subject Association Activities
• to ensure that Learning Area staff are aware of current learning theory and practice and resources and activities related to the Learning Area
• to monitor and/or review the current courses, and relevant data, to ensure:
• the effective implementation of STAR across Years 7-10;
• appropriate links between Year 7-10 and VCE; and
• the maintenance of links between the school, the community and industry
• students select, or are directed to, appropriate pathways
• to oversee and coordinate the planning, writing and review of units of study in the Learning Area based on best educational research and practice
• to consult with the Learning Area staff in the preparation of booklists
• to ensure the provision of work for any replacement teacher for classes within the Humanities Learning Area
• to organise and coordinate the examinations for the Learning Area for Years 8S-11
• to liaise with Director of International Relations (Head of EAL) to ensure the incorporation of EAL and other appropriate literacy strategies in all Humanities classrooms from Years 7-12
• to promote the acquisition of Learning Area skills and the image of the Learning Area throughout the school
• to encourage and facilitate the displays of supporting visual prompts in classrooms, including the use of BHS Anchor Charts
• to liaise where appropriate, with the Director of Pedagogy, Directors of Sub-school and SLWMs to arrange and organise any elective groupings in the Learning Area
• to oversee the care of Learning Area rooms, storage areas and resources and liaise with the Facilities Manager on maintenance and repairs
• to liaise with the Teacher Librarians regarding resources and to further develop the resource base to enable the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning
• to administer and/or oversee the Program Budgets of the subjects within the Learning Area
• to carry out an annual stock take of the resources and equipment of the Learning Area
• to participate in school special events after school and lead by example in the maintenance of school culture and the ethos of excellence
• to perform other duties as directed by the Principal.

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 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

Applicants are free to structure applications in any manner they choose, but must ensure that the following are included:

• Responses to the selection criteria (maximum 5 pages)
• a CV with a summary of experience and qualifications
• the names and contact details of up to three referees who can provide information regarding the applicant in relation to the key selection criteria. Please note that the Panel reserves the right to go beyond the nominated referees and will inform the applicant if doing so.

Please Note: participation in the Balwyn High School annual Leadership Team Retreat at The Country Place, Kalorama is expected. The 2025 Leadership Retreat will take place from 8.30am Friday 31 October to 2.00pm Saturday 1 November.

Timeline

The timeline for the selection process is:

Position advertised: Monday 18 August 2025

Applications close on: Sunday 31 August 2025 (midnight)

Shortlisting completed: Thursday 04 September 2025

Interviews conducted: Wednesday 10 September 2025

Further details are available from:

Deborah Harman, Principal

Ph:

or

Lara Messom, Executive Assistant to the Principal

Ph:

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.

Applications close Sunday 31 August 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

18 August 2025

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