Location Profile

Jackson School is a collaborative learning community for all. We aim to develop independence through safety, respect and responsibility. We aspire to offer authentic, quality educational experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. We share and celebrate our successes and achievements.
Our values are learning, independence, safety, respect and responsibility. These incorporate our PBIS (SWPBS) expectations.
Jackson School was established in 1976 and is situated in the suburb of St Albans, in the South-West region of Victoria and Brimbank-Melton area as part of the Keilor-St Albans network. The community is well established with a total of 318 students enrolled in 2024. The Student Family Occupation and Education Index (SFOE) is 0.5233 (High) which reflects the socio-economic position of the community. The school is a Special School for students with a mild intellectual disability. All students must have a mild intellectual disability with a FSIQ within the 50-70 range and be funded under the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) or Disability Inclusion (DI).
Some students also have a secondary disability such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome and ADHD with a small number of students with a minor physical disability. 72% of students are male and 28% are female. 6% identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. 68% of students are identified as disadvantaged. 57.5% of students were born in countries other than Australia. 24.53% of all students speak a language other than English at home of which 19.5% are Australian born. Overall, only 40.33% of all students are Australian born with 17% of students born in Vietnam. 31 language backgrounds are represented by our families with 37% of EAL students speaking Vietnamese at home. Only 5.66% are eligible for EAL funding. 1.6% are refugees.
50% of students arrive to school by eight school bus lines funded by DE Student Transport, 44% are either brought/collected by families some or all of the time, and 6% are independent travellers to and from school. The majority of families live within a 10km radius from school. Out of the three networks within the Brimbank-Melton area, around 50 feeder schools fall within Jackson School's Designated Transport Area (DTA).
As a collaborative learning community, our school improvement priorities are aligned with the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) and our SSP goals and targets to enable us to meet our aspirations. The 2020-2024 SSP is focused around the following goals:

1. Achievement/Learning: Improve educational outcomes for all students.
2. Engagement: Improve student engagement and participation in learning.
3. Wellbeing: Improve student health and wellbeing.
The school has four Principal Class Officers (Principal and three Assistant Principal, three Leading Teachers, two Learning Specialists supported by eight Assistant Learning Specialists (PLT Leaders). We have 48 teaching staff and 72 Education Support staff. Our distributed leadership structure was implemented in 2021 and is aligned to FISO 2.0. Following our 2024 AMP capital works, our school is now structured into three collaborative learning communities (Junior School, Middle School, Senior School).
In 2024 we are running 29 classes with between 8-12 students in each class supported by a Teacher and at least one Education Support Staff.
Our curriculum programs are firmly developed from the Victorian Curriculum F-10 (including A-D) to educate our students to be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to be independent, responsible, respectful and safe members of the community.
Learning in our foundation classes is focused around an inclusive and integrated play-based learning program influenced by the transition from VEYLDF. Learning in Years 3 to Year 8 is strongly focused around English, Mathematics, Integrated Learning (Science and Humanities), PBIS, RRRR and e SMART.
DE Careers Curriculum Framework has influenced our school designed World of Work program for Years 9-10 to prepare our students for their 2-year VPC or ASDAN transition programs. We offer a diverse range of onsite and offsite experiences with our school-ran cafe, travel training, supported work experience opportunities, VET and SBATs (including Head Start) to support our students towards the creation of their Career Action Plans.
We also offer a wide variety of specialist programs, including: Physical Education, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Design Technology & STEM.
Jackson School is committed to fostering a meaningful relationship with our parent and carer community to build a strong partnership of trust. We offer a number of engaging community opportunities and seek to support our families to partner with us in striving for the best outcomes for their child.
The school is committed to child safety. Students learn best when they are safe, happy and empowered. We are committed to our legal and moral obligations when concerned about the safety of our students. Our policies, procedures and training support us to achieve these commitments.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

Role

[Attendance requirement for this position]
An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

Responsibilities

• Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
• Supports communication between teachers and parents
• Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
• Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
• Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
• Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
• Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
• Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
• Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
• Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of 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 marrung@education.vic.gov.au

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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

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

• A specific response to all of the Selection Criteria and position details. It is suggested that applicants limit their response to not more than 7 pages
• A Cover Letter introducing yourself and providing your name, record number (if currently employed by DE), home address, telephone numbers (home, work and mobile) and the vacancy number of the position.
• A summary of experience and qualifications.
• The names and contact details of three referees who can provide information regarding the applicant in relation to the Key Selection Criteria.

Please note: The selection panel may contact referees other than those listed.
Applications to be submitted via Recruitment Online in preferably a .pdf format.

The Selection Process will involve at least the following steps:

• Receipt of application by closing date
• Shortlisting of applications
• Interview process (applicants may be invited back for a second interview)
• Referee checks (these may occur prior and/or after the interviews)

Note: the panel reserves the right to contact others outside of the list of referees provided by the applicant.
On making a decision to appoint, a job offer will be made to the successful applicant.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx