Teacher Special Education - Grahamstown Public School

Grahamstown Public School is in the Port Stephens area and draws a majority of students from families with a low socio-economic background. There are currently 315 students from an increasingly diverse cultural heritage, including 61 Aboriginal students and 17 Defence Force family students. Grahamstown Public School currently operates 13 mainstream classes including one self-funded boys class and has 7 students enrolled in an MC class. We have a staff of over 45, including teaching, support and administrative staff, who are dedicated to achieving our vision. Our staff are well supported by a P&C committed to helping our school be the best it can be for their children.

With a FOEI of 141, we need a strong focus on supporting students and their personal and academic development. Student well-being is endorsed through an active Learning Support Team, student leadership development, a staff dedicated to furthering wellbeing and strong communication between home and school.

Our school works in partnership with community agencies such as The Smith Family, KU Steps To Starting School, Port Stephens Family Services and Wandiyali to provide ongoing wellbeing support to families and young children. In conjunction with our neighbouring Lakeside Learning Community Schools, we provide a quality education for the families of the Raymond Terrace community. Our school is situated on Worimi land and we have a strong partnership with the Yooyong Aboriginal Education Consultative Group who support us in developing our Aboriginal students, embedding Aboriginal perspectives into our practices and building knowledge of and respect for our Aboriginal heritage and culture.

Educational engagement is supported through a well-developed network of ICT equipment and quality practice embedded to supplement and support curriculum. Our School proudly offers a wide range of extra curricula activities to develop interest, skill and talent through sport, visual and performing arts and environmental projects. Grahamstown Public School works in collaboration with the entire community to support students to: grow with pride, learn for life and strive to be the best that they can be.

This position is for the establishment of a second Special Education Class which is an Autism class, currently for children starting kindergarten.

Approval to teach Special Education and/or experience teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Difficulties, Emotional Disturbance, Mild Intellect Disabilities and other complex support and learning needs; demonstrating a commitment to the Department of Education's Disability Strategy.

Demonstrated excellent classroom practice and management with the capacity to improve student outcomes through quality implementation of Personalised Learning and Support Plans and quality differentiated curriculum provision.

Proven ability to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external support services to provide a holistic educational approach that best suits individual needs, while creating successful and positive learning and wellbeing outcomes for students.

Outstanding communication, interpersonal and organisational skills with the demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and build positive relationships that enhance a culture of high expectations and collaboration across the wider school community.

An unconditional full approval to teach is a requirement. If you do not hold a full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education, you are required to commence the application process at the same time as you apply for this teaching opportunity.

From 8 November 2021 all Department of Education employees undertaking relevant work, including any work conducted on a NSW school site, will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The successful candidate for this position will be required to confirm full vaccination status prior to the Department of Education finalising the appointment of the candidate and entry on duty. Further information on the Department’s COVID-19 response is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.

To ensure that your application complies with the guideline page limits your attachments must be in PDF format.

New merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals have been introduced to provide greater clarity to applicants and selection panels. The guidelines were in effect on positions advertised from Wednesday 10th June 2020. The guidelines are located at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/roles-and-locations/roles-at-education/teaching/addressing-selection-criteria.html