Learning Specialist Targeted Teaching & Learning in Melbourne

Sunshine College operates as a two-site multi-campus school in North and West Sunshine, serving the educational needs of around 1000 young people and employing approximately 140 staff. We are currently entering an exciting renewal phase in our teaching and learning practices and physical structure, including the opening of new facilities. The Sunshine community is wonderfully diverse, with a strong sense of pride and identity. Our college reflects this diversity with a wide range of teaching and learning programs across both campuses.

Our successful mainstream programs are augmented by the curriculum delivered at Harvester Technical College, located adjacent to the North Campus of Sunshine College. The Harvester Technical College provides innovative best practice approaches in vocational education based around applied learning. We have developed strong links with major industries and business partners to guide curriculum development and build relationships that support outcomes for students.

Teachers at the HTC operate in a team environment, integrating curriculum around learning projects for a dynamic Year 10-12 student cohort. Teachers across both of the 7-12 campuses of Sunshine College are expected to be creative in developing new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, understanding that students learn best through discovery, research and development processes, especially when linked to applied situations.

Our students' average growth rate in NAPLAN Reading and Numeracy from Year 7 to Year 9 is at or better than state averages. A major challenge for us is to become one of the leading schools in Victoria in addressing literacy issues. Students in Years 7 to 11 are involved in the SunLit program, receiving structured literacy lessons throughout the week. Maths staff regularly present at the Mathematics Association of Victoria Annual Conference and were acknowledged for their work in Numeracy by winning the Lindsay Thompson Award for Excellence in Education.

Each year, our students achieve high ATAR scores and have won Premier’s Awards and the VCE Achiever of the Year Award, placing them among the top elite students in Victoria. Our outcomes for students graduating from the HTC into apprenticeships, work or further study are exceptional. The College supports the broader community through community curriculum initiatives, largely coordinated in our Connect and Pathways courses run at Years 7 to 10.

We are committed to maximising learning outcomes and life opportunities for our students by providing high-quality learning experiences that empower them to continue to learn, adapt to changing circumstances, and create opportunities for themselves while valuing self, others, and their environment. Our core school values focus on GROWTH, LEARNING, WELLBEING and RELATIONSHIPS. These values guide our philosophy in how we educate and support our students and nurture our belief that all students can learn.

Staff work in supportive Focus Groups, team teach at times, and are committed to continual personal and professional growth, accepting new educational challenges as a natural part of their professional lives. Staff at Sunshine College have developed what we call a 'core plus' instructional model that allows for domain-specific innovation and creativity but is underpinned across all domains by five core instructional practice principles:

• Learning Intention articulated and reflected on
• Readiness for Learning determined
• Activities that Target Individual Success delivered
• Quality Feedback provided

We believe that our teaching staff are by far the most valuable resource of the school. It is our teachers who ultimately make the difference for students, and we support them accordingly. Sunshine College was chosen to discuss our successful well-being approaches and programs with representatives of the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.

Our performance and development culture is based around the collaborative work of staff in professional learning teams where curriculum is collegiately designed and consistently delivered across classrooms and campuses, and where self-reflection is critical to enhancing the craft of teaching. Sunshine College promotes the safety, participation and empowerment of all children, including those with a disability. Our culture is based on Collaboration, Aspiration and Inclusion. Our College is culturally safe for indigenous children and for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from indigenous peoples and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Applicants will need to hold valid tertiary qualifications and meet Victorian Institute of Teacher registration requirements. Please note Sunshine College reserves the right to contact colleagues other than those listed as referees.

Selection Criteria

• SC1: Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum and 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.
• SC3: Demonstrated exemplary ability to model the monitoring and assessment of student learning.
• SC4: Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.
• SC5: Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values.

Role

Learning Specialists will be highly skilled classroom practitioners who 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 to deliver improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students.

The Learning Specialist role is aimed at building excellence in teaching and learning within the Teaching Service. The Learning Specialist Targeted Teaching: Senior Curriculum is a key instructional leader responsible for strengthening teaching practice and improving student achievement across VCE studies, excluding English and EAL, at Sunshine College.

Working collaboratively with curriculum leaders, VCE teachers and the other Learning Specialist, the role will focus on analysing student achievement data, identifying effective teaching practices and supporting their implementation across the College. Through coaching, collaboration and professional learning, the Learning Specialist will build teacher capacity and support improvements in curriculum delivery, assessment and student learning outcomes.

Aligned with the College's Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, the role will promote high academic expectations and aspiration, strengthen evidence-informed teaching practices and support teachers to maximise student achievement across senior secondary studies.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum and Teaching Practice: Support teachers and curriculum leaders to strengthen the quality and consistency of curriculum delivery, instructional practice and assessment across VCE studies.
• Student Achievement and Learning Growth: Work collaboratively with VCE teachers and curriculum leaders to analyse SAC results, examination performance, study scores and other relevant achievement data.
• Instructional Leadership and Teacher Capacity: Build teacher capacity through coaching, mentoring, modelling effective classroom practice and providing evidence-based feedback.
• School Improvement and Program Evaluation: Support the implementation and evaluation of senior curriculum improvement initiatives aligned with the College's Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan.

Other Duties: Undertake additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal.

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.

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.

DE Values: The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.

Other Information: 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.