School Officer

Position: School Officer - Assisted Student Learning
Department: Hospitality and Arts
Start date: Term 1 2020
Classification: Term Time, 12 Month contract
Hours:10 hours per week
Pay Rate: $26.06 - $26.74 per hour (pending experience)
Contact: HR Services (07) 4773 0900 
Email: recruitment@tsv.catholic.edu.au

Southern Cross Catholic College is a primary-secondary co-educational college that offers classes from Prep to Year 12. Our college motto "To Love, To Serve, To Shine" grows from our Christian values and lived through our commitment to inclusivity, community service and personal achievement as we walk in the footsteps of our Patron Saint, Mary Help of Christians. We aim to develop our students holistically in a school community that embraces the Catholic ethos, values each person and gives them a lasting sense of belonging.

We value effort and commitment and support and challenge our students to become their best selves. In doing so, we provide a school environment in which our students can grow holistically, and promote activities, processes and structures that enhance a love of life.

The primary purpose of the position is to work in collaboration with the teachers to provide support and guidance to assist students with learning and development. The School Officer – Assisted Student Learning (ASL) will demonstrate competency involving the application of knowledge and skills to a range of tasks to support the teachers. The ASL is assigned to classes to provide assistance to teaching staff for students with special learning needs and capabilities in order to optimise student learning outcomes.

Southern Cross Catholic College is seeking a driven and passionate School Officer - ASL (Teacher Aide) to assist in Hospitality and Arts subjects. The successful applicant is to commence in Term 1 of 2020.

The School Officer - Assisted Student Learning will have key accountabilities across the following:

• Assist teachers in preparing, implementing and supervising learning programs
• Be aware of the subject teacher’s expectations of the students in the class and work with the teacher, actively participating in activities, intervening and encouraging students where appropriate
• Assist individuals or small groups, with activities as part of inclusive teaching and learning practices, supporting the teacher with behaviour management and the development of social skills and classroom skills development
• Respond to all students in the classroom in a warm and encouraging manner and build collaborative relationships with the students and respond to individual learning needs
• Participate in meetings, both internal and external as required
• Provide support to teachers in hospitality and Arts subjects in the classroom
• Assist the teaching team with classroom resources, including the assistance with purchasing resources in accordance with school administration guidelines and procedures
• Communicate with teachers about student progress and areas of need
• Inform the Assistant Principal on any welfare issues that may arise with students
• Develop professional relationships with students based on trust and respect, which utilises a strengths based approach
• Provide general formative feedback to student on performance during the teaching session
• Role model behaviour in line with the College’s mission
• Proactively monitor and support student wellbeing issues under the guidance of the pastoral care team
• Work to promote self-esteem and assist with student social interactions by teaching them social skills and discussing with them their social behaviours as required
• Support collegiate learning by sharing learnings with colleagues
• Proactively seek opportunities to extend own professional learning via internal and external training.

About You

Experience

• Demonstrated experience working with students with disabilities or special needs is desirable
• Experience working with students with behaviour management needs is highly regarded.

Knowledge

• Understanding of, and/or interest in, the key social and developmental issues impacting secondary school age students
• Understanding of physical, social and emotional issues in providing care and support to students with disabilities and special learning needs.

Skills

• An ability to communicate with a range of staff across primary and secondary school settings
• Ability to develop and sustain productive working relationships
• Organisational planning and coordination skills including the ability to manage demanding or competing deadlines
• Ability to adapt to the complex nature of the variety of student learning and physical disabilities encountered and to demonstrate initiative and be flexible in a variety of situations
• Ability to assist students with severe disabilities e.g. scribing, lifting, toileting etc.
• Developed interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to work collaboratively with all members of the College community and to communicate with a wide range of individuals including students, parents, teachers, consulting professionals
• Professional presentation skills with the ability to proactively engage and enthuse both students, parents and other colleagues
• Ability to display respect and empathy for students with additional needs
• Discretion and an ability to maintain confidentiality.

Mandatory Criteria

• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner
• First aid qualified desirable or willingness to complete
• Willingness to complete student protection system based e-learning training prior to commencement.

How to Apply

1. Complete the application form
2. Upload a cover letter and a supporting statement (no more than 2 A4 pages) which addresses your suitability for the position
3. Upload a current resume which also includes the name, email address and contact details of two referees.

Applications close 4.00pm Thursday 23th January 2020.