Teacher Aide - Mornington Primary School

At Mornington Primary School, our school vision: ‘Inspiring a passion for learning and personal excellence, whilst preparing students to become globally responsible citizens,’ reflects our belief that by instilling the appropriate values, promoting the development of positive qualities and providing opportunities to develop the required skills, our children will be well-placed to thrive and meet the challenges of life.

We encourage our students to make a positive contribution to their school, families, communities and environment, believing each of them has the potential, through their actions, to make the world a better place.

As an International Baccalaureate World School, authorised to teach the Primary Years Program (PYP), we aspire for our students to become more ‘internationally minded’ in the knowledge that our future adults will need to thrive in a more globally-connected world, that requires a particular set of qualities, personal attributes and skills.

The ‘learner profile’ and the ‘attitudes’ of the PYP encapsulate these and form the basis from which students in each class collaborate to develop a ‘class vision’ and an ‘essential agreement’ that reflect a positive learning culture for our school. Our students are encouraged to be reflective individuals and personal development is an important aspect of our curriculum.

This is particularly evident in our ‘programme of inquiry’ that encourages an inquiry approach to learning through a ‘concept-driven’ curriculum and challenges students to understand how the world works, consider the important issues we face and ‘take action’ to make a positive impact.

Our teaching philosophy continues to reflect a more inquiry-based approach to learning through developing conceptual understandings in all areas of the curriculum.

Through teaching the inquiry methodology, our students will be better equipped to increasingly plan and self-manage their own learning. Giving them a better understanding of their own learning, emotional capacities, social development and meta-cognition are essential to developing well-rounded individuals.

These are reflected in the trans-disciplinary skills in the PYP: thinking skills, social skills, communication skills, self-management skills and research skills.

Students have opportunities in the areas of sports, visual arts, performing arts, ICT and French language & culture. Involvement in choir, instrumental music, singing tuition, Energy Breakthrough, school production and clubs further broadens opportunities for our students.

Our student leadership program encourages students to reflect on, and develop, the qualities of good leadership and effective citizenship. These opportunities will help students develop a broad range of interests, some of which may become life-long passions.

Mornington Primary School has been an integral part of the Mornington Community for over 140 years. The locals refer to it as ‘Vale Street’ and many generations from the same families have attended this school over these years.

Situated next to the central business district of Mornington and less than fifty metres from Main Street, Mornington Primary School has always occupied a special place in the community. Our students regularly learn about their local community through various ‘units of inquiry’, which take them on local walking excursions.

A new, modern facility was completed in 2018. It consists of flexible learning spaces that provide teachers and students with further opportunities to collaborate and extend their teaching and learning practice. The building also includes break out areas, utility spaces for cooking and art and indoor/outdoor areas.

The school’s enrolment of just over 485 students is distributed amongst 21 classes: Prep, junior (P-2), middle (3-4) and senior (5-6). Specialist classes include STEAM, performing arts, physical education and French. With a clear purpose and a culture of continuous improvement, our school provides a comprehensive education for all our students.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.

SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.

SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.

Role
[Attendance requirement for this position]

Undertakes routine tasks that are usually 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.

Work has little scope for deviation. Problems can usually be solved by reference to well documented procedures and instructions and clearly established practices. Deviation from established procedures will require reference to others for guidance and direction.

Assistance is readily available when problems arise. An experienced employee at range 1 will exercise limited judgement within clearly defined guidelines and well established practices that relate specifically to the tasks performed.

Does not carry responsibility for the work of others. More experienced employees will provide basic guidance and advice to others relating to tasks within the work area.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor.

Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Qualification requirements do not operate at range 1. Certification requirements may be required to legally perform specific tasks - e.g. driver's licence, first aid, safe food handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas.
• Assist with the communication between students and teachers, particularly the interpretation of instructions.
• Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.
• Participate in team meetings.
• Assist with toileting, meals, lifting, and administration of medication to students requiring special care.
• Assist with the supervision of pupils in playgrounds, at camps, on excursions, in sporting activities, therapy activities and life skills.
• Assist in the preparation of student resources and equipment.
• Prepare basic curriculum support resources.
• Set up and put away equipment and materials in support of teaching programs.
• Observe students and draw the attention of the teacher to them where necessary.
• Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student involvement and achievement.
• Assist with communication between teachers and non-English speaking parents/students.
• Assist in the translation of documents.
• Assist students with the preparation and service of meals.
• Ensure work areas and materials, equipment and appliances are maintained in a clean and ready to use condition.
• Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.