Department of Education - Victoria

Imagine joining a school where the Principal, Leaders and staff are deeply involved in daily life, actively supporting each other to foster an environment that reflects our Western Port Way. Are you seeking a school with an amazing staff who collectively support and build each other up, and who truly get along and enjoy working together, making the workplace one where no one wants to leave? With a hands-on approach, you'll find the Principal Class actively engaged in the college community, visible daily at the school gate, in and around classrooms, on yard duty, supporting School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) processes and interacting with the students. With an open-door policy, they warmly welcome any staff member seeking support or a conversation, or any student seeking advice or counsel. They wholeheartedly foster a collaborative environment, where every teacher's voice is not only heard but also valued.

Are you looking for a school who has high standards where students are respectful and well behaved, displaying positive attitudes and a strong eagerness to learn. Our college ensures from the moment students walk in they are one time, ready to learn and equipped to enthusiastically engage in a harmonious and productive classroom atmosphere, where both teaching and learning are highly effective and enjoyable. This positive environment fosters academic and personal growth, making our college a wonderful place to work and learn. For times when our students are not ready to learn or exhibiting behaviours that are not reflective of our college values of Community, Achievement, Respect and Engagement (CARE) we have arguably the most effective and well-resourced support system in the network. We have a strong SWPBS model that is resourced with a full time Rover (youth worker or teacher) who monitors a live call-out system through Compass when teachers need support in their classroom. The average wait time for support to reach a classroom is 2 mins, where the Rover works with the teacher to either rectify the situation or remove the student if necessary. Students removed attend a supervised space staffed by Leaders and the Principal Team who follow up and deal with student issues while attempting to return them to their learning program the following period where possible. Click on this SWPBS link for further information and to view videos of these processes in action.

In line with our supportive and well-resourced school, our college has experienced significant growth. Our student enrolment numbers are around 700 students, making us a beautifully sized secondary college. Big enough to offer the full suite of VCE subjects, but small enough to know every student by name and build relationships with families. Year 7 enrolments have doubled in recent years, as we have become the school of choice in our community and a place where students love to learn, and staff love to teach. 

Our staff bring together a mixture of skills and expertise, but all demonstrate these values and work together to support one another. Our staff take immense pride in this welcoming, inclusive, and enjoyable atmosphere, where we all work harmoniously towards our common goals.

At Western Port Secondary College, we strongly encourage and model work/life balance. School starts at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:00 pm. This means that on a meeting night, staff are leaving at 4:30 pm or on a non-meeting night, 3:30 pm. We aim to promote a focus on other important things, like self and family. 

Our meetings are set around school priorities, with Curriculum and Instructional Practice the focus, and not deviated from, to allow staff to maximise their time and undertake collaborative work and learning together. Year Level team time and staff wellbeing are also priorities within our term planners. 

We have brand-new, modern facilities, including a 12 million dollar architecturally designed Senior and Junior Hub and dedicated Wellbeing Wing, domestic and industrial kitchens, science labs, visual arts, and performing arts spaces, a gymnasium as well as expansive, manicured grounds. We sit on over 7 hectares with loads of space for students to enjoy with 3 ovals, outdoor courts and an amazing new Dream Court space for Ready to Learn plans and lunchtime recreation. 

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.