Special School Teacher Aide

Cobram and District Specialist School was established in 1978 and is located in Cobram on the Murray River, approximately 280 kilometres north of Melbourne. The school is a dual-mode specialist setting providing educational programs for students aged five to eighteen years with a diagnosed intellectual disability. The school’s catchment area extends from Yarrawonga to Katunga and across the New South Wales border to Finley.

The school is committed to delivering positive and engaging learning experiences that support each student to achieve their optimal level of academic, social, emotional, and physical independence. The core values of Respect, Safety, and Try Your Best underpin all aspects of school life. A whole-school approach to behaviour management is embedded through the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Within this framework, school values and expected behaviours are explicitly and systematically taught each week to promote safe, supportive, and productive learning environments.

The school currently enrols seventy-one students on a full-time basis. Eligibility for enrolment requires assessment by a registered psychologist and confirmation of an intellectual disability diagnosis. Each student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), with goals collaboratively developed through Student Support Group (SSG) meetings involving parents, carers, and staff. The curriculum is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum Levels A–D and F–10, ensuring differentiated pathways to meet diverse learning needs.

The leadership team comprises the Principal, Assistant Principal, and two Learning Specialists. Staffing includes seven full-time teachers, nine part-time teachers, twenty-five Education Support staff, a Business Manager, and an Office staff. Teachers work collaboratively with allied health professionals to design and implement high-quality, evidence-informed educational programs. The school employs a full-time Occupational Therapist, who also undertakes the role of Mental Health Practitioner for two days per week.

Selection Criteria

• 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.
• Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
• Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
• A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.