Koorie Engagement Leader

Lowanna College is a vibrant, well-resourced Victorian Government secondary school catering for students from Years 7 to 12. With an enrolment of approximately 1,150 students, the College is set in an attractive bushland environment in Newborough. As the only secondary school in the Moe-Newborough community, Lowanna draws students from both the local area and surrounding rural townships. Located around 130 kilometres east of Melbourne, Newborough lies in the heart of picturesque Gippsland.

The region is surrounded by rolling hills and offers easy access to the snowfields of Mt Baw Baw and the South Gippsland coastline. A wide range of recreational and sporting opportunities are available locally, including football, netball, golf, basketball, soccer, mountain biking and water sports.

Lowanna College employs a dedicated and highly skilled team, including:

• Principal
• 3 Assistant Principals
• 5 Leading Teachers
• 9 Learning Specialists
• Business Manager
• Finance & Operations Manager
• 70.03 EFT teaching staff
• 58.19 EFT Education Support staff

The College is organised into three mini-schools of 300-400 students:

• Junior School – Years 7 & 8
• Middle School – Years 9 & 10
• Senior School – Years 11 & 12

Each mini-school is led by a team including a Leading Teacher, Student Advocate, Student Support Officer and Administrative Assistant. Working collaboratively with teaching staff, they are committed to supporting both the academic growth and wellbeing of every student.

Lowanna College offers modern, purpose-built facilities that provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment. Key facilities include:

• 580-seat auditorium
• Refurbished canteen and on-site cafeteria
• Two-court gymnasium
• Language Centre
• Year 12 Centre
• On-site Wellbeing Centre to support and re-engage students at risk

Lowanna provides a broad and diverse curriculum, complemented by extensive extra-curricular opportunities. The academic program includes:

• Junior School: core curriculum
• Middle School: core and elective program
• Senior School: VCE, VCAL and VETiS pathways

Year 10 students may accelerate their learning by undertaking VCE subjects. Specialist learning opportunities extend across the Arts, Science, Technology, Physical Education and Food Studies. Students also benefit from:

• Lowanna Sports Academy
• Lowanna Institute of the Arts (launching in 2026)
• Longstanding Outdoor Education Program
• Access to the Gippsland Technical College, in partnership with other Latrobe Valley schools

The College also offers Italian and Indonesian, and maintains strong partnerships with Monash University, Federation University and Federation Training, providing students with clear pathways from Year 7 through to Year 12 and beyond.

Lowanna College enjoys strong connections with other Latrobe Valley schools, particularly Kurnai College and Traralgon College. In 2014, these schools collaboratively established the Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Option (LVFLO) to re-engage students and support their return to mainstream education. The College also works closely with local feeder primary schools, hosting a range of transition events for staff, students and families.

The entire Lowanna College team is committed to continually improving student outcomes while fostering a strong sense of community. At Lowanna, we proudly live by our values: Respect, Integrity, Determination, Growth and Excellence. We believe every student can achieve excellence.

Selection Criteria

• KSC1: Demonstrated capacity to support the engagement, attendance, wellbeing and educational outcomes of Koorie students through the development and implementation of targeted programs and supports.
• KSC2: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with Koorie students, families, community members, Traditional Owners, Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups (LAECGs), Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and external agencies.
• KSC3: Demonstrated highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to advocate for students and work collaboratively with staff, families and community stakeholders.
• KSC4: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives, and the ability to promote culturally safe and inclusive practices within the school environment.
• KSC5: Demonstrated capacity to provide advice, guidance and support to staff in relation to Koorie student engagement, cultural inclusion and culturally responsive practices, while contributing to continuous improvement across the College.

The Koorie Engagement Leader plays a key role in supporting the engagement, wellbeing, attendance and educational outcomes of Koorie students at Lowanna College. Working collaboratively with students, families, staff and community partners, the successful applicant will foster strong relationships and provide culturally responsive support to help students achieve their full potential. The role acts as an important link between the College and the local Koorie community, promoting culturally safe and inclusive practices while supporting the implementation of initiatives that strengthen student engagement, cultural connection and educational success.

The Koorie Engagement Leader will work closely with College leadership, wellbeing staff, teachers and external agencies to identify and respond to student needs, support attendance and engagement, facilitate communication with families and contribute to a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students. The successful applicant will demonstrate a strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives, possess highly developed communication and relationship-building skills, and have the ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to support positive outcomes for Koorie students.

This position provides an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the educational journey of Koorie students while strengthening partnerships between the College, families and the wider community.

Responsibilities

• Develop positive and supportive relationships with Koorie students to promote engagement, attendance, wellbeing and educational success.
• Work closely with Koorie students and their families to identify barriers to learning and facilitate appropriate supports, referrals and interventions.
• Act as a key point of contact between the College, Koorie families, community organisations, Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups (LAECGs), Traditional Owners and external support agencies.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Student Support Group meetings and other processes that contribute to improved student outcomes.
• Monitor and follow up attendance concerns for Koorie students, working collaboratively with families, staff and external agencies to improve attendance and engagement.
• Provide cultural advice and guidance to staff to support culturally responsive teaching practices and a culturally safe learning environment.
• Assist in the planning, coordination and delivery of cultural events, activities and initiatives that celebrate and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and perspectives.
• Support the implementation of the College's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and other initiatives that strengthen cultural inclusion and community engagement.

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.

The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.

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.