Elisabeth Murdoch College (EMC) is a coeducational secondary college, 7-12, located in the south eastern suburb of Langwarrin with a current student population of 1800. The College is positioned as the first choice for local families. An enrolment zone is in place. We care about developing each of our students as a whole child. We build relationships and offer opportunities that position students for their pathway to success.

Our key priority areas are Literacy, Student Engagement in Learning, and Community Engagement. The College has an instructional model that guides teaching and learning for staff and students. The model provides flexibility to incorporate current department initiatives.

The College adopts evidence-based strategies to support student’s social and emotional learning. We offer a learning environment where all students can achieve their best and be positioned for a positive pathway. Respect, Empowerment, Aspiration, Courage, and Honesty are the core values that guide our work. We set high expectations for all students in all aspects of school life.

Elisabeth Murdoch College leads and implements initiatives and strategies to support the wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community. EMC is a lead school for the Department of Education Respectful Relationships initiative. We also have a newly established Inclusive Education team supporting students with additional needs including the new Tier 2 disability inclusion approach and Disability Inclusion Profiles (formerly Program for Students with Disabilities). EMC drives reconciliation in education, and celebrates and supports our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through our endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan. We are proud to work in partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to support students building strength in cultural identity in engagement activities across the College.

Elisabeth Murdoch College, Langwarrin Primary School, Langwarrin Park Primary School, and Woodlands Primary School have partnered to create the THRIVE positive education network. Together we are using best practice teaching and the science of positive psychology to help every member of our school community to THRIVE.

Elisabeth Murdoch College is proud to offer a diverse set of pathways to cater to every aspiration. We strive to meet the learning needs and passions of every student, while also creating a supportive environment with opportunities for students to develop an individual sense of self and belonging to the community.

Our four Middle School Specialist Programs provide an insight into our unique approach to support students to transform their interests and passions into learning and career pathways in preparation for senior school. These programs are:

• Leaders in Sport – Strong leadership within the community
• The Murdoch Program – Providing strong academic pathways
• The Performing Arts Collective – Inspiring success through a passion to perform
• THRIVE Aspirant Leaders – Empowering students to become change makers

These four Specialist Programs extend our regular curriculum, creating an environment where students can challenge each other, take risks and develop the behaviours and leadership skills that will support their continued learning well beyond secondary school.

We also provide a vast curriculum that caters for the interests and abilities of a diverse range of learning styles and pathways including:

• Extensive VCE and VET offerings
• School Based Apprenticeships with an extensive vocational program
• Many additional opportunities to be involved in further educational experiences, ie. sport, academic, performing arts and community partnerships
• Strong community links with the iCAN challenge and the Royal Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, Monash University, Lifeblood and Cruden Farm

Key Selection Criteria

(Please respond to the Key Selection Criteria when applying for this position)

KSC 1: Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of individual, group and whole school strategies and programs that foster resilience in young people and address their social, emotional and educational needs, including knowledge of the tiers of intervention in Wellbeing.

KSC 2: Demonstrated ability to monitor and assess data at the individual, cohort and whole school level and to use this data to inform evidence based approaches and strategic planning.

KSC 3: Highly developed communication, interpersonal and networking skills with a demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with students, parents and carers, school-based teams and teachers, education support staff and other professional agencies.

KSC 4: Demonstrated capacity to reflect critically upon their own professional practice and apply the knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional learning.

KSC 5: Knowledge and understanding of Child Safe Standards

Role Specific Responsibilities

• To work in partnership with students, staff and families to help them reach their full potential by addressing barriers to engaging in education
• Lead social and emotional skill development programs, including developing tailored programs and approaches for students who experience barriers in accessing mainstream education due to social and emotional challenges
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team in the development and implementation strategies that foster resilience in young people, including Positive Education, to address their social emotional and educational needs.

Key responsibilities

Provide student support

• Coordinate support of students who experience barriers in accessing mainstream education due to mental health difficulties and social and emotional challenges; including liaising with families, external agencies and regular Student Support Group meetings and case conferences
• Coordinate critical incidents and provide support including following emergency management processes
• Support student/staff requests for assistance in the application of student modifications or accommodations, seeking help, including referral, providing community supports and liaising with/involving Student Support Services Officers
• Triage as appropriate and refer students; connecting to other services, meeting with Student Support Services Officers and working closely with students and families

Project management

• Analyse data for internal and external purposes
• Collaborate with Wellbeing team to develop and implement strategies to address emerging issues based on data analysis
• Design, deliver and evaluate evidence based small group programs to support students who experience barriers in accessing mainstream education; to become happier, healthier and more resilient students
• Support implementation of THRIVE Framework as related to student wellbeing

Develop teacher capacity

• Act as resource for teachers to build their capacity in the identification and development of educational, social and emotional supports to assist students who experience barriers in accessing mainstream education due to social and emotional challenges
• Support staff to adhere to Mandatory Reporting obligations including documentation and follow up with reporting bodies

Develop and implement policies and processes

• Work collaboratively with the Student Wellbeing Team members and the College Leadership Group to develop, update and review wellbeing policies and processes to ensure they are consistent with the philosophies of College regarding the management and development of student behaviour (including but not limited to the principles of Positive Education, Respectful Relationships etc)
• Input into Strategic Planning including College Annual Implementation Plan and Wellbeing Action Plan

Develop stakeholder relationships

• Strengthen links, referral pathways and collaborate with other health professionals and a range of community organisations and government agencies related to wellbeing
• Actively contribute to a range of College-based teams including attendance of out of school hour events where appropriate (eg Grade 6 Information Night)
• Lead collation of information and development of wellbeing material on College website and community newsletter/social media

Child Safe Standards

• Uphold Elisabeth Murdoch College Statement of Commitment to Child Safety
• Adhere to the Elisabeth Murdoch College Child Safe Code of Conduct
• Support the establishment and maintenance of a Child Safe environment

EEO AND OHS Commitment

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.

Conditions of Employment

This vacancy is to replace an employee on parental absence and is for a period of seven years or until the employee absent on leave returns to duty at the school.

Who May Apply

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

• Must be qualified in either Social Work, Psychology, Youth Work and/or any other relevant qualification
• Must have experience in an educational or mental health setting
• Applicant must have an Employee Working with children Card

Start Date: 10 July 2023 (Maternity Leave) This vacancy is to replace an employee on parental absence and is for a period of seven years or until the employee absent on leave returns to duty at the school.