Learning Specialist

Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3

Occupation: Health and allied health

Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs

Reference:

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated strong commitment to high-quality teaching and learning and ability to implement and model exemplary teaching practice, including the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills, across the school.

SC2 Demonstrated high-level ability to lead the implementation of evidence-based practices and modelling of High Impact Wellbeing Strategies that respond to student learning and wellbeing needs.

SC3 Demonstrated high-level ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student wellbeing growth to support students¿ mental health, wellbeing or learning.

SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills to establish 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, including the ability to reflect upon your own, others and whole-school practice and contribute to the provision of whole-school professional learning.

SC6Demonstrated exemplary capacity to lead and embed whole-school initiatives that strengthen curriculum programs, student voice and agency and School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS).

Role

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.

Learning Specialists 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.

A Learning Specialist has direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals and the implementation of one or more priorities in the school strategic plan.

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

A Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, is a qualified teacher, working across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community. Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative

The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:

• build capability of the whole school with regard to mental health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention).
• provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs, establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention and monitor and evaluate student progress.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in mental health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Learning Communities.
• Provide a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.

Responsibilities

In recognition of the importance of exemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader Learning Specialist may include but are not limited to:

• Promote a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing to students, staff and families
• Support teachers and school staff to expand their capacity to embed evidence-based mental health strategies, interventions and programs and build mental health literacy, including the provision of professional development and demonstration lessons modelling exemplary classroom practice

¿ 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 on their practice

• Collaborate with school staff to provide support to school staff and classroom teachers to build their capabilities to embed mental health into the classroom.

¿ leading and modelling the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery

¿ providing evidence-based feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development

¿ providing expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning

• Work with school leadership and wellbeing teams to to develop and embed a shared view of highly effective teacher practice and whole school approaches to mental health into school planning and strategic processes.

¿ 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

• Proactively work with wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and other external agencies to coordinate\ clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and targeted intervention and mental health support for primary school students.
• Leading the development of RRRR curriculum development in other curriculum areas.

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:

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

James Cook Primary School opened in 1979 and sits at the gateway to Endeavour Hills, in a well-established and vibrant community for generations of many families. We deeply value our history in the area and links with the local and wider community.

Our focus is in developing the whole student through academic and social programs equipping them with the tools to interact successfully within society. We deliver a rich and inclusive learning program for every student, within a culture of high expectations for all. Every student receives a personalised learning program that ensures they are learning at their point of need. Our instructional model ensures the development of individuals to become independent and confident learners for life. Safety, Respect and Responsibility underpin our positive behaviour expectations.

Boasting excellent facilities, James Cook Primary School¿s curriculum includes specialist subjects - Physical Education, Visual Arts, Chinese Mandarin, and Performing Arts. Instrumental music tuition is available on a user-pay basis. Subsidised camp programs are on offer for students in Years 3-6, to destinations within Victoria.

As a family focused learning environment, James Cook Primary School enjoys a calendar of several whole-school and community events, including a Twilight Sports evening, Mothers¿ and Fathers¿ Day Breakfasts, a whole-school Musical event and a student-led Mini-Fete.

We value the contribution of our parents, primary carers, and families to build strong relationships between the home and school. We are particularly proud of our personalised approach to our processes. The best interests of our students is our mission and we work closely with our families to get the best possible outcomes for everyone.

We are proud of our reputation as an excellent school, and the breadth of learning opportunities provided for our students. We are very excited about our new buildings program that will commence in 2025. Our School Council and team of dedicated and passionate staff continue to work in partnership with our families to further develop and consolidate the many programs on offer here, in a harmonious environment that is, James Cook Primary School.

We fully embrace our school motto, ¿Believe to Succeed,¿ as we believe that all children can, and will, achieve to their fullest potential.

Anne Burgess ¿ Principal

Important information for applicants

• Applications MUST address the specified selection criteria. A limit of one page of standard 12-point text is suggested for each selection criterion.
• Personal and other information should not exceed 2-3 pages.
• Applicants are strongly advised to visit the school website ) for further information prior to preparing an application for any position at James Cook Primary School.
• Applicants must make every attempt to lodge applications through Recruitment Online.
• In the rare case that applicants are unable to access Recruitment Online, e-mail applications will be accepted at
• The applicant¿s name, contact details and the position number for which they are applying should be clearly displayed on the front page of any attachment.
• Application attachments are preferred in PDF format.
• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format is also acceptable.
• Compressed files such as .zip files are not compatible with the Recruitment Online system.
• Graphics and artwork are not encouraged and should be kept to a minimum.
• For ease of handling by the school, all documents (cover letter, cv and key selection criteria responses) can be saved as one pdf and uploaded to Recruitment Online.
• The names and contact details of up to three referees must be provided with the application.
• All applicants should ensure that their personal profile on Recruitment Online is up to date.

Should you have further queries regarding the position, please contact the school:

Phone:

Applications close Sunday 14 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

3 September 2025

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