Department of Education - Victoria

Location Profile  

VISION

A place of excellence in education that creates inclusive communities and success for all.

VALUES

Driving learning growth

Valuing diversity with kindness and respect

Uniting to achieve excellence

Ensuring equity of opportunity

SWPBS MANTRAS

Bendigo Special Developmental School employees a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework to support student engagement and learning. Our mantras, which double as our values, are for all members of our school community to Act Safely, Show Respect and Be Your Best.

SCHOOL PROFILE

The Bendigo Special Developmental School provides education programs for school aged students 5 to 18 with a moderate to severe intellectual disability. Our students reside in the Bendigo Region encompassing Kyneton, Wedderburn, Heathcote and Huntly.  The current enrolment is 160 students.

DOE and VCAA curriculum guidelines are followed at the school, with all students being taught seven subjects and the four capabilities of the Victorian Curriculum (the school is exempt from teaching languages).  The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, coupled with the Science of Reading and the Science of Mathematics is used to design and implement an individualised education plan (IEP) for each student, co designed with their parents/carers and possible external NDIS professionals during regular Student Support Group (SSG) meetings. Staff work in Professional Learning Communities to collaboratively plan and moderate student learning and achievement. Providing a voice for all students through their individualised communication system is paramount to their successful engagement in learning.

Classroom spaces encompass both permanent and portable buildings and learning is supported by an extensive range of educational equipment and communication aids. Bendigo Special Developmental School is currently in Stage 1 of a 4 stage rebuild process, with the first stage of this rebuild due to be finished in October 2025. A hydrotherapy pool, multipurpose room, student kitchen, truncated bicycle track with a range of adapted bicycles, coupled with a specialist subjects areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), Health and Physical Education including swimming and water safety instruction, Music and the Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, Humanities, Digital Technologies, SWPBS( School Wide Positive Behaviour Support) and RRRR( Rights Resilience and Respectful Relationships) enrich programs. Student health and safety is paramount, and a secure and stimulating outdoor environment, with challenging play equipment and shadeport sun protection provide play and regulation experiences for the students.

The school has been officially gifted the name 'Manya' meeting 'Meeting Site' by the elders of the tradition land owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung, for the outdoor space located at the north end of the school. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded within the curriculum and the school celebrates all forms of diversity within our community including the neurodiversity, cultural, gender, sexual, racial and religious identities of students and their families.    

Teamwork and communication between staff and parents is a priority.  Student Support Group meetings are held each term and support the preparation and review of the Individual Education Plan. Parent and caregiver dialogue is support by fortnightly newsletters, a Facebook page, and daily communication through a digital app. Learning programs are additionally supported by the school's physiotherapist, two speech therapists, Family Support Teacher and Mental Health Practitioner. 

Several students are dual enrolled in mainstream schools for varying time fractions. Cooperative planning and programming between both educational settings and continual review and support of student progress are essential elements of the success and extension of these programs.

As a recognised resource for special education, the school provides an information, consultancy and professional development base for teachers, parents, tertiary students and other people involved in the disability field.

This school is committed to respecting the dignity of the individual and providing students with disabilities with maximum opportunity to extend their academic, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development in a safe and positive environment.

Program Benefits 

This position attracts an incentive payment of $5,650 (pre-tax) for the successful candidate who meets the eligibility criteria set out under conditions of employment.

Conditions of Employment 

All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements. 

The appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to satisfactory pre-employment conditions check. 

A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided. 

Eligibility for incentive payments: 

• The successful candidate is committing to a minimum of 1 year employment at this school. 
• The successful candidate will not be a Graduate Teacher Incentive recipient from a previous vacancy. 
• The successful candidate must not be employed as a teacher by the Department at the time the advertised position is to commence. 

EEO AND OHS Commitment 

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au