Health & PE Teacher

Government schools

Applications close Thursday 17 September 2026 at 11.59pm

Overview

• Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
• Salary: Salary not specified
• Grade: Classroom Teacher
• Occupation: Classroom teacher
• Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
• Reference: 1542021

Location Profile

Jacana School for Autism currently caters for 224 students and is located off the Western Ring Road close to public transport, Broadmeadows Shopping Centre, Broadmeadows Leisure Centre and the Hume Global Learning Centre/Library. The school commenced operation in January 2013 as a specialist school that exclusively addresses the educational and social needs of students with an autism spectrum disorder. Many students also present with a range of associated disabilities and conditions. Students are aged between 5 and 18 years and travel to the school from a wide geographical area.

The site has a range of well-maintained, secure and engaging playgrounds. Students also access local parks, playgrounds and indoor play centres under staff supervision. Facilities include a multipurpose room, occupational therapy rooms, visual arts room, music room and two student kitchens.

The school is divided into 3 sub schools — Primary, Middle and Secondary — each is led and managed by a Leading Teacher. Classes generally comprise of small flexible groups of 8 to 14 students, according to age (stages of schooling), ability and the individual needs of the students. Each class is taught by combination of teachers and teacher aides. Teachers and teacher aides work in partnership for the benefit of the students. Teachers are responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of all classroom activities and individual student programs while maintaining an autism friendly classroom.

The school employs two Teaching and Learning Coaches who support the effective implementation of ASD practice and Positive Behaviour Support across the school. Specialist programs include Health & Physical Education; The Arts (Visual and Music); The Technologies (Food Technology and Design), and are provided across the school. A therapy team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and an educational psychologist supports the work of the classroom team. Jacana School for Autism currently has 3.0 principal class, 7.2 EFT leading teachers, 41 EFT teacher class staff, 50 EFT education support staff, 4 EFT speech pathologists, 3.0 EFT occupational therapists and 0.4 social worker.

Jacana School for Autism has an administration team of 4.8 which supports the day-to-day running of the school, and a maintenance staff member who ensures that the grounds and buildings are well maintained.

Staff are encouraged to belong to professional network groups. Close relationships have been developed between network schools and nearby mainstream schools into which our students are integrated.

ENROLMENT

Students who attend Jacana School for Autism must meet the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) eligibility criteria for autism, as determined by the Department of Education and Early Childhood. Once eligibility has been established and the Department has approved students' applications for PSD funding, enrolment may proceed.

The effects of autism vary on each individual student's day-to-day learning, communication and behaviour. The impairment may range from mild to severe. Students may or may not have an intellectual disability which also impacts on their learning.

SCHOOL VISION

Jacana School for Autism fosters resilience and lifelong learning, enabling students to be active participants in family and community life.

PURPOSE

The school continually implements highly customised teaching and learning programs to ensure all students access an inclusive curriculum using evidence informed practice in a safe and supportive environment. Students are supported by a committed professional multi-disciplinary team, focused on recognising and developing individual personal and educational potential

PEDAGOGICAL PHILOSOPHY

Jacana School for Autism believes that to succeed in the world, students need to develop the capacity to:

• Manage themselves as individuals and in their relations to others.
• Understand the world in which they live, and act effectively in their wider community

Jacana School for Autism provides:

• A curriculum that supports the individual needs of students, using specific teaching strategies that cater to students on the Autism Spectrum.
• Personalised Learning Plans to cater for specific learning needs and styles, focusing on communication, social /interpersonal skills, personal learning and academic skills.
• A safe and secure environment that enhances students' self-esteem and respects students' dignity.
• School wide implementation of the Positive Behaviour Support program.
• Regular participation in the wider community.

Jacana School for Autism includes:

• Individual and small group instruction.
• Speech therapy consultation.
• Occupational therapy consultation.
• Psychology consultation.
• Ongoing professional development for staff.
• Programs that are informed by current research and evidence based practice.

CURRICULUM

The JSA curriculum:

• Reflects current educational reform at an international, national and state level, and is informed by the principles and practices of inclusive education.
• Supports inclusive education and the rights of every student to participate in, or have access to, the full range of programs and services offered by the education system on the same basis as their non-disabled peers.
• Provides an inclusive curriculum so teachers can equip all students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to help them succeed in a world that is increasingly complex, rapidly changing and rich in information and communications technology.

JSA uses a range of standard curriculum options to develop and provide education programs that are meaningful for all students including:

• Victorian Curriculum F-10
• Advance program
• Senior secondary programs Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), Certificate of Individual Achievement and Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools.

Teachers are trained in autism specific pedagogy and work in accordance with the school based ASD specific PoLT document. Both the curriculum and teacher practice are informed by current research and are evidence based.

STUDENT PROGRESS

To assess student progress, JSA uses an integrated approach to assessment across a number of learning areas. In assessing students, teachers will:

• Collect a variety of evidence through using a range of strategies.
• Consider alternative or authentic ways in which students can demonstrate achievement based on the goals developed in their PLSP.

The Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES) program is completed for all students during Semester 1 and Semester 2 of each year. ABLES is used to describe skills and abilities that teachers have observed in everyday school and classroom contexts, and during interactions with other students; moderation is completed to support the accuracy of the assessments.

Termly Student Support Group (SSG) meetings provide an important focus for reporting to parents. Each semester, student reports share student learning progress with parents, identify the areas of strength, and outline areas for improvement in future learning.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Jacana School for Autism provides comprehensive induction and on-going professional learning programs for all members of staff. All teachers participate in a comprehensive program of professional learning, and a suite of implementation supports. They attend weekly Professional Learning Communities and Professional Practice sessions. PLC instructional leaders lead teams to collaboratively focus on the core work of improving instruction and student outcomes.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Jacana School for Autism offers regular Community Learning Hub (CLH) meetings. At these meetings the community are provided with opportunities to attend presentations by members of staff as well as informally socialise. Parents/carers are encouraged to join the volunteer program as well as to participate in the parent/carer led Fundraising Committee (FRC). The home/school partnership is highly valued by everyone in the JSA community.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

SC2 Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

SC3 Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

Role

The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2. The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2

Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.

A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.

Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:

• Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
• Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
• Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
• Supervise and train one or more student teachers
• Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1

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 organisation of co-curricula activities.

Responsibilities

The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

• Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;
• Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;
• Undertaking other classroom teaching related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;
• Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;
• Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

Who May Apply

Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

Other Information

Responsibilities

Heath and Physical Education teachers are responsible for inventory/ordering of equipment for programs:

• Liaise with HPE Budget co-ordinator in regular meetings to discuss ordering, purchase orders, delivery and allocating items purchased to relevant programs and or to be stored in the Multi-Purpose (MPR)/Sport shed (fortnightly-monthly)
• Liaise with the AP – Teaching and Learning to complete HPE program budget submission and evaluation (annually)
• Teach school wide expectations with regards to safe equipment use and maintenance for example
• Maintain storage sheds and School Gym
• Report playground maintenance

Bike Education and maintenance of bikes as a school wide approach

• Have a current qualification in Bike Education and Training
• Teach bike education as a school wide approach (incorporating school wide expectations)
• Teach basic maintenance such as pumping tyres and checking seat height and brakes.
• Check bikes in sheds at least 1-2 times a week (including maintenance checks, booking 99 Cycles or modelling to students how to repair bikes)

Programs-incursions (Sporting Schools Funding)

• Apply for Sporting Schools Funding per term
• Organise program to be timetabled and oversee (risk assessments, staffing, locations etc.)
• Complete ordering of any equipment for the program from funding received as well as organise coaches etc.
• Acquittal process- post delivery of program

Community networking & Incursions (HPE Budget or free of cost)

• Liaise with community clubs etc. to run incursions:
• SEDA
• AFL
• Melbourne City
• Organise program to be timetabled and oversee (risk assessments, staffing, locations etc.)

Support/Run School wide initiatives, including:

• Jacanarama Fun Run Walk
• National H&PE Day
• Playground Engagement
• Extra-curricular Programs
• Perceptual Motor Program
• House Colours Days (Mini Olympics/Athletics Days)

Excursions: including the Swimming Program (Government Funded), Interschool Sports, Victoria University – Inclusion & Diversity Program, Fun Runs, Traffic School, Support/work with Sub-school leaders/sub-schools, including:

• Transport
• Timetabling
• Staffing
• Risk Assessments/Excursion Administration
• Staff Wellness

Contact us

Ellen Paterson

0467 783 508