Location Profile

Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) is a Year 11 and 12 school located in one of Victoria's strongest and fastest growing regional areas. With an enrolment of 1800 students, we are the largest provider of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered in schools in the state.

Our ROLE at BSSC is to empower learners for individual, community and global leadership, underpinned by the values of Respect, Optimism, Learning and Engagement. We are proud of the significant role we play supporting young people from the Greater Bendigo community to access high quality education programs, tailored to meet the individual needs and pathway goals of every student.

BSSC is located within the Rosalind Park precinct in the centre of Bendigo and has enjoyed an unrivalled picturesque location on this site for more than a century. The entire college site is on the Victorian Heritage Register. Staff, students and the broader community value the history of the college, and the contribution it has made to the city and to state education.

The college provides an inclusive learning environment which supports students to develop attributes and behaviours necessary to be respectful community members, independent and resourceful learners and to achieve success within and beyond school. We foster a strong study culture with high expectations around student effective use of private study time in the various study spaces around the college. Students are provided with free access to an extensive range of high quality learning support and exam revision opportunities.

Staff are committed to supporting the academic progress and wellbeing of students where strong, respectful relationships are the basis for all communication. Students are encouraged to interact closely with their teachers and seek help at any time.

The college has a reputation for exemplary use of ICT and delivery of online learning. Students have high level access to ICT and the college operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model where students provide their own laptop or other device to support their learning. There is an emphasis on the use of blended delivery, which allows students to access digital curriculum resources to support the classroom instruction provided by teachers. This is enhanced by access to digital content developed through the Victorian Virtual Learning Network, a BSSC initiative where the college provides VCE online to students in schools around the state in a range of VCE studies.

An online portal is available which allows parents to monitor attendance, work completion and achievement in real time and provides for the approval of absences. Teachers upload key assessment outcomes and comments in a progressive reporting model.

A strength of our college is the expertise and commitment of our dedicated staff. Teachers at BSSC play a leading role in state wide curriculum development, subject associations, VCAA assessment processes and in the professional learning of teachers across the state. All staff are expected to demonstrate the highest professional standards and a commitment to excellence. The college has a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement which is supported by a rigorous performance and development process, allowing recognition of outstanding work and identification of areas for further improvement.

A wide range of VCE studies is offered and students can select units in Business and Information Technology, English, Health & Physical Education, Languages & EAL, Humanities, Mathematics, Performing Arts & Media, Science, Technology and Visual Arts. An accelerated learning program operates in conjunction with Bendigo¿s four government 7-10 colleges where students are able to undertake some VCE studies whilst in Year 10 and are then encouraged to undertake a Unit 3/4 study in their first year at the college.

Students have access to the VCE¿s Vocational Major offering and the Victorian Pathways Certificate and also to Head Start school based apprenticeships and traineeships.

Student programs are tailored to meet the learning, wellbeing and pathway goals of each student. Programs can include combinations of studies at Unit 1/2 and 3/4 level, completing the VCE over three years or negotiating a program to meet individual student health, school-based apprenticeship or elite sport training commitments. We have a close relationship with the four government Year 7-10 colleges in Bendigo and work together around orientation activities and pathways advice to support students in making informed program choices and a positive transition to our college.

The college is a Registered Training Organisation with many Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs on its scope of registration. Strong relationships with other training providers in Bendigo and our Trade Training Centre provide our students with access to excellent vocational training facilities and opportunities.

As a senior secondary education provider, we specialise in assisting students to make a positive transition to the next stage of their lives, whether that is to University or other study, apprenticeships or traineeships or directly on to employment. Extensive careers and pathways advice is available to students and is complemented by the individual support each student receives from their Advisor who closely monitors their wellbeing and progress. Additional support to assist students to stay engaged with their learning is provided through our Wellbeing Team. Students can access support from our Student Wellbeing Team and other visiting department staff.

NETschool is a second campus of the college, providing curriculum access for 15 to 18 year old students who have been outside mainstream schooling or training. NETschool provides access to VCE and VET subjects from its central city location.

The college provides outstanding facilities to support student learning in a combination of historic and modern facilities. These include the Ulumbarra Performing Arts Centre which incorporates a 1000 seat theatre, café and foods/hospitality facilities. Other recent modernised or new building projects include the Student Services Centre, library, Multimedia Centre and outdoor recreation area. A major project to refurbish the historic Maths building will be completed for the start of the 2024 school year. Other purpose-built facilities include our Language Centre and Trade Training Centre. Each of these areas contain casual student study spaces and high-level access to ICT.

One of the features of the college for many years has been the presence of students from other countries who come to study as fee paying students or through exchange programs. International students are supported in homestay arrangements with local families who provide cultural and language enrichment experiences. We are proud of the work we do to support New Arrival and refugee students, including through our intensive EAL program.

The college highly values the presence and contribution of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student population. These students are assisted by a range of additional support services which are closely linked to families and Community.

The international focus of the college is wide ranging and includes sister school relationships in China, France, Germany and Indonesia. When travel conditions allow, students can participate in curriculum and intercultural learning exchanges to these countries, and also to Italy and Greece. College curriculum has also developed a focus on the building of student global perspectives.

The college runs a very successful Confucius Classroom program in partnership with a Chinese agency and a Chinese sister school. This program attracts high quality Chinese teachers to Bendigo who deliver Chinese language and culture programs into over twenty Bendigo primary and secondary schools, and evening classes for the broader Bendigo community. This program is supporting young people from around the region to access an additional language and build their intercultural competence.

At BSSC we believe that every child is capable of achieving and has a right to a high-quality education which will empower them with the attitude, knowledge and skills necessary for success in life and work beyond school.

For further information about the College visit www.bssc.edu.au

Selection Criteria

KSC 1 - Educational leadership

• Outstanding capacity to lead college-wide improvement of student learning outcomes.

KSC 2 - Financial, managerial and administrative ability

• Outstanding financial, organisational and resource management skills.

KSC 3 - Planning, policy and program development and review

• Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver and evaluate strategies for school improvement.

KSC 4 - Leadership of staff and students

• Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, develop their capacity and build an effective team.

KSC 5 - Interpersonal and communication skills

• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain partnerships with external organisations.
• Exemplary values pertaining to personal qualities of objectivity, sensitivity and integrity.

Role

The Assistant Principal reports directly to the Principal.

Assistant Principals are responsible for the management of significant areas or functions within a school to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. Assistant Principals contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making. At Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC), Assistant Principals have the authority to make significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff within their area of responsibility within the framework of the college strategic plan, policies and budget.

Assistant Principals at BSSC are core members of the Leadership Team and Extended Leadership Team, working with the Principal in a specific role to ensure policies and programs are developed and implemented to maximise student learning opportunities. They have the capacity to work cooperatively in a complex, busy, high performance environment and can bring a whole school perspective to their work.

Assistant Principals are expected to demonstrate exemplary values and attitudes. They will have the ability to build and maintain effective teams and develop cooperative working relationships which promote excellence in teaching and learning and in effective communication with all community members and stakeholders.

Assistant Principals understand DE¿s core frameworks, including the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0), the college Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan and how they relate to the everyday practice of teachers. In a senior secondary college environment they should have a comprehensive knowledge of VCAA policy and practice.

This role includes an expectation of participation in parent and student information evenings, Open Days and other college-wide events some of which may be held outside school hours.

The role includes a teaching load of one class (210 minutes per week) and a role as an Advisor for approximately 16 students.

Responsibilities

The core responsibilities of the Assistant Principal (Teaching and Learning) include but are not limited to:

1. College wide leadership

• Lead the Curriculum and Learning Team to implement consistent and high quality teaching and learning practice across the college.
• Analysis of student learning data to inform teaching and learning policy and practice
• Oversee design and implementation of curriculum programs including intervention, support and extension strategies.
• Develop, implement and review assessment and reporting policy consistent with VCAA policy.
• Integrate the college instructional framework into the practice of teachers.
• Implement HITS and other DE strategies related to student learning.
• Shared responsibilities including
  • Professional learning initiatives including Professional Learning Communities.
  • Assessment and reporting practices.
  • Design and implement a comprehensive exam revision program for students.

2. Community and engagement in learning

• Chair the Education Committee as a sub-committee of College Council.
• Manage strategic partnerships including
  • University liaison and partnerships including La Trobe University, University of Melbourne and the Regional Placement Plus Network.
  • Bendigo Education Plan Curriculum Network and Communities of Practice.
  • Bendigo Technical College.
  • Smith Family.
• Lead organisation of Parent Teacher interviews.

3. Co curricular programs

• High level oversight and support for:
  • Library
  • Annual College Awards Ceremony

4. Publications

• Oversight of College publications including:
  • Program and Subject Selection Guide
  • Parent Handbook
  • Old Gold Magazine

5. Shared responsibilities including

• Contribute to the college Leadership Team.
• Share in the design and implementation of the Performance and Development Program.
• Report to College Council as required.
• Model college values for all members of the college community.

Who May Apply

Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

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 [email protected]

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

Applications close 16 October 2024.

Inquiries should be directed to Kylie Hand: [email protected] or 0428 381 979.

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

VIT LANTITE

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.