• Passionate about working with vulnerable students?
• Believe in the transformative power of education?
• Want to become an expert in trauma-informed education?

MacKillop Education is committed to equity and access to learning for all children and young people, providing education to vulnerable students who are disengaged from mainstream education. As a P-12 specialist school, we use the ReLATE education model to ensure every student has the opportunity flourish and achieve their full potential.

Part Time or Full Time (fixed term, until 26/1/23) Based at the Geelong Campus.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Study Leave for ongoing employees
• Career Development
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

MacKillop Education:

MacKillop Education was established in 2011. However, our commitment to providing education for vulnerable students dates to the 1800's and the beliefs and passion of our founders.

MacKillop Family Services continues the proud tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of St Joseph and Edmund Rice Education Australia and remains committed to empowering children, young people and families. The founders of each of these orders, Catherine McAuley, Mary MacKillop, and Edmund Rice, believed that to give expression to their faith and values at the heart of the Catholic tradition, they should respond to and support those most in need. They each recognised that access to education was critical to the creation of a more just and humane society.

Our schools have always supported children unable to learn in mainstream settings. In 2011, the first MacKillop Specialist School was opened by MacKillop Family Services in Whittington, Geelong. In 2014, the school was registered as MacKillop Specialist School. Using the ReLATE trauma-informed education model, our school implements the Victorian Curriculum and provided individualised and differentiated learning and teaching, to support the complex and diverse needs of our students.

In 2017, in recognition of both the need and demand for the distinctive learning environment we could provide, an additional primary school campus was opened in Maidstone for students in Years 3 to 6. In 2020, in response to the needs of students and families in Melbourne’s south, we opened a campus in North Caulfield, for students from Foundation to Year 10.

At Mackillop we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the importance of their stories, history and wisdom. They hold the memories, traditions, cultures, hopes and aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are strongly committed to the ongoing work of Aboriginal self-determination, reconciliation, and cultural safety for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, staff, and stakeholders.

Please refer to our website for further information: mackillopeducation.vic.edu.au. 

Our Education Model:

ReLATE: Reframing Learning and Teaching Environments, was developed in Australia by MacKillop Family Services, drawing on the practice model implemented in our schools and delivered by The MacKillop Institute.

ReLATE provides a whole-of-school approach that focuses on safety, wellbeing, and resilience, so that the learning outcomes for every child are enhanced. The model allows us to effectively support students and families who have experienced adversity and/or trauma; and staff, who are responding to the complex and diverse needs of our children and young people every day in our schools.

At its core, ReLATE promotes transformative relationships, not only for students, but also for school leaders, teachers and other staff working with children, young people, and families.

The ReLATE model is a commitment, by our school community, to sustainable and positive cultural change. 

The model promotes wellbeing as an essential precondition for learning. Safe, predictable, and supportive learning environments are created and maintained in our classrooms, where students are not just known, but deeply understood. School leaders and staff are supported both in their professional learning and development journey and in their commitment to self-care and wellbeing.

Primary Objectives:

The aim of the Education Support position is to enhance the classroom learning and wellbeing of students, in partnership with a Key Teacher. Education Support play a key role in engaging students in the classroom and co-regulating with students when dysregulated in the classroom. Education Support may be required to work with students individually and in small groups, across the school programs.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
• Relevant work experience and a minimum Diploma Qualification, Certificate IV in Education Support or Special Needs or equivalent.
• An understanding and commitment to the objectives and values of the organisation, including Sanctuary Commitments, as outlined above, and a capacity to represent MacKillop values as required by the role.
• An understanding of teaching and learning support strategies and the ability to implement these as required.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in understanding the unique nature of providing high quality educational experiences to young people with multiple and complex needs, including those marginalised from school and society through trauma, abuse and neglect. This includes the ability to co-regulate with students who become dysregulated.
• Demonstrated flexibility and commitment and capacity to actively contribute to a broad range of school activities including student excursions, camps and the marketing of our education programs to the Catholic Education Office, the Education Department and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others and exercise influence in a diversity of contexts.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills and high-level interpersonal skills including a capacity to develop constructive relationships with students, care givers, community service providers and other staff.

For a full listing please view Position Description.

You must have a:

• Proof of vaccination against Covid-19
• Valid and current Driver’s Licence
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check

The Australian Government recently introduced the NDIS Worker Screening Check, an additional, national legislated compliance requirement to determine if a person is cleared to work with people with disability. MacKillop requires all client facing staff obtain the NDIS Worker Screening Check. An employment application will require the submission of evidence that this check has been attained or an application has been submitted. For more information and how to apply please view:

Victoria: Department of Justice and Community Safety

Please make sure you address the selection criteria as outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For more information, please contact:

Justin Roberts, Principal at [email protected] using the subject line: Education Support enquiry via EthicalJobs.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.

A position description is attached.