Ongoing Graduate Teacher - Agriculture & Horticulture - Casterton SC

Location Profile

The College opened on its present site in 1955 and is nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling red gum hills. The Glenelg River meanders through the township. Casterton is 353km. west of Melbourne and is approximately 70 km. from Hamilton and Mt. Gambier. Casterton Secondary College services the needs and provides opportunities for the people of Strathdownie, Dergholm, Coleraine, Merino and Casterton.

Enrolment and Demographics

Casterton Secondary College is a single campus, Year 7 - 12 school. The 2024 projected enrolment is 111 students. Our students come predominantly from rural or related backgrounds; there are low levels of students born overseas and very few students of Koori background.

We currently have 13 teaching staff (including the Principal Class), with part-time staff this equates to 12 effective fulltime positions. There are 10 non-teaching staff including Integration Aides and we have a school doctor and nurse.

Educational

Students at Years 7 to 10 study a core curriculum of English, Maths, Humanities, Science, PE/Health, Science, Agriculture/Horticulture, Technologies and Art.

Year 11 and 12 students select individual pathways.

The College makes every effort to provide a broad range of choices at VCE level, including access to subjects via the Virtual School. In addition to a large offering of VCE subjects, VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate also operate. Additionally, we have an SBA and SWL student stream.

Students benefit from the educational experiences on the adjacent 16-hectare school farm which runs sheep and cattle. They also participate in applied learning programs such as oenology, aquaculture, viticulture, and produce both glasshouse and hydroponically grown vegetables and herbs. Information can be sourced from our website www.castertonsc.vic.edu.au  

The College offers a wide range of extension and enrichment programs including an instrumental music program and sport. Students participate in a range of competitions including subject competitions.

Technology

The College has two rooms of computers and a ratio of one computer to one student which includes a combination of three trolleys of netbooks, i-pads and desk top computers. The school Intranet provides storage and pick up facilities for all students and staff. Wireless connectivity enables all staff to access the network and the internet from anywhere in the school. Smart Televisions are installed in all classrooms.

Environmental- grounds and facilities

The College grounds are extensive and well maintained providing an inviting environment to the College community and visitors. Sporting facilities include a multipurpose stadium, ovals, a covered passive recreation area and cricket nets.

Students also have access to outdoor gym equipment (five stations) as part of a soon to be developed walking trail.

State-of-the arts technology facilities and equipment (including a drone, plasma cutter etc.) supports students to study a wide range of subjects including Product Design Technology in Wood and Metal and Food Technology.

The music centre allows students to gain one on one, and small group instruction in a range of instruments.

Program Benefits 

This position attracts an incentive payment of $5,650 (pre-tax) for the successful candidate who meets the eligibility criteria set out under conditions of employment. 

Other Information

Do you want satisfaction in your teaching position?

Do you want to spend your time teaching and not on student management?

Casterton Secondary College is an enjoyable place to work. Our students are respectful of each other, staff and the environment.

Students come to class ready to learn and staff know that if students transgress our well embedded rules, they will have the support of leadership.

Consequently, teachers at Casterton Secondary College spend 99% of their time on teaching and 1% on behaviour management.

Our senior students consistently achieve an above 30 mean score and all senior students successfully transition to further study, apprenticeships or work.

Quality teacher housing available at a reasonable rate

Re-location expenses reimbursed

Role 

The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. 

These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs.  Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers. 

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities.  
The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice.  New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels. 

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school. 

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organization of co-curricular activities. 

Responsibilities 

Core responsibilities include: 

• Planning and implementing a range of teaching programs or courses of study 
• Teaching an area of the curriculum or a general curriculum to a year level 
• Monitoring, evaluating and reporting student progress in key learning areas 
• Implementing strategies to achieve targets related to student learning outcomes 
• Maintaining records of class attendance and recording student progress 
• Implementing effective student management consistent with the school charter. 
• Working with a mentor to participate in professional development planning, implementation and reflection developing a professional portfolio 

Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to: 

• Supervising a range of student activities including support and welfare programs 
• Contributing to a range of co-curricular programs 

Who May Apply 

To be eligible to apply for a position advertised through the Teacher Graduate Recruitment program, a teacher must:  

• have completed their course requirements and graduated in the last 4 years, and 
• not be employed as a teacher by the department at the time the advertised position is to commence 

Applicants must also be currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching. 

Conditions of Employment 

All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements. 

The 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. 

Eligibility for incentive payments: 

• The successful candidate is committing to a minimum of 1 year employment at this school 
• The successful candidate will not be a Graduate Teacher Incentive recipient from a previous vacancy 
• The successful candidate must not be employed as a teacher by the Department at the time the advertised position is to commence 

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 

Selection Criteria 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs. 

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.  

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents. 

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching. 

SC6 Demonstrated interest in working with students with Special needs. 

EEO AND OHS Commitment 

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). 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on: [email protected] 

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: 

Child Safe Standards: Policy | education.vic.gov.au 

DET Values 

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DE’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE’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 DE values is available at: 

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx 

VIT LANTITE 

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program complete.