2017

Career Development Workshop

Day 2

Leslee Aisbett - Rees

Table of ContentsAnalysing Job Advertisement.................................................................................................................1

Classroom Assistant (Teachers' Aide)- Beaconhills Christian College................................................1

Activity...............................................................................................................................................3

Selection Criteria in Plain English...........................................................................................................5

Glossary of Terms..............................................................................................................................5

Applying for an advertised vacancy...................................................................................................5

Setting up your Selection Criteria..........................................................................................................5

How to answer Selection Criteria......................................................................................................5

STAR OR SAO.........................................................................................................................................8

Activity...............................................................................................................................................9

Planning Your Key Selection Criteria....................................................................................................10

SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment..................................................................................................10

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students, where necessary.........................................................................................................................................12

SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position...................................................................................................................13

SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents........................................................................................................14

SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.............................................................15

Notes...................................................................................................................................................16

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Analysing Job AdvertisementClassroom Assistant (Teachers' Aide)- Beaconhills Christian CollegeSalary: $40,000 - $44,999 pro-rata

Work type: Part Time

Beaconhills is proudly a co-educational Christian College with an open-entry enrolment policy. Our College provides outstanding educational opportunities to a large number of families in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We have two large campuses, both providing education from Preparatory to Year 12, with our Little Beacons Learning Centre at our Pakenham Campus.

Our wonderful students and professional staff make Beaconhills a great place to work. In the ever-changing and complex 21st century world, a comprehensive and holistic education provides the platform for a successful life. At Beaconhills we aim to provide a large range of educational opportunities for our students so they can grow and develop in a supportive, yet challenging environment.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Classroom Assistant to support the teaching staff in the Junior School. You must thrive on working as part of a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to achieving the vision of Beaconhills College. You would be working in partnership with the teaching staff in providing effective learning outcomes for students at the Berwick Campus.

This position would ideally suit a person currently studying teaching or other child-related areas of study.

The position is part-time (0.5 FTE over 5 days) and commences in Term 1, 2017. The ordinary hours of employment will be 9.00am – 1.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am – 12.00pm on Friday during term-time only.

Key Responsibilities

Assist classroom teachers with planning and implementation of programs and activities, specifically from Prep – Year 4.

Supervise and assist students in Key Learning Areas and Individual Learning programs Liaise with classroom teachers Assist with classroom communication Supervise and assist in the Developmental Learning Program and Perceptual Motor Program Assist students with computer programs Perform some administrative duties Assist, when required, with First Aid Display students' work Set up and prepare for classroom and other activities Assist classroom teacher with cleaning and tidying. The Classroom Assistant must hold (or be in the process of obtaining): A current Working With Children Check A current Police Certificate Appropriate first aid qualifications (HLTAID003 or equivalent) Australian citizenship of permanent residency

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Please refer to the full position statement on our website at www.beaconhills.vic.edu.au/employment for a detailed outline of the role and instructions on how to apply.

Applications

Applications should include: A cover letter that addresses your suitability to the role A curriculum vitae detailing your qualifications and experience Contact details of three professional referees.

Applications for this position close at 5pm Wednesday 25 January 2017

Beaconhills College has zero tolerance for child abuse. Beaconhills is a child safe employer and is committed to the welfare of children and their protection.

Beaconhills has systems to protect children from abuse, and will take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently, in line with our policies and procedures.

All potential employees and volunteers will be required to comply with the College's Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct. Beaconhills performs thorough assessments of potential and existing employees in accordance with this policy. The assessments will be used to ascertain whether the potential or existing employee is a fit and proper person to be trusted to work in a school environment and in the position applied for or held. The screening process includes, but is not limited to, Criminal Records Checks, Working with Children Checks and checks of social media accounts.

Beaconhills College is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity principles and is committed to the principles of merit-based selection, equity, diversity and procedural fairness in our recruitment process.

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Activity Read the advertisement above. Find the information required to respond to the questions below

1. What type of school is Beaconhills?

2. What age range do they service?

3. Where is the school located?

4. Which campus would the successful candidate be located?

5. How many days would the successful candidate be working

6. Which, if any, of the Key Responsibilities would you need to address? How would you do this?

7. What documentation would you need to apply for this position?

8. Would you apply for this position? Why/Why not?

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Selection Criteria in Plain English

Glossary of Terms

Department of Education and Training Jobs

Capacity: Know what it is and be able to do it

Demonstrated capacity: Know what it is, be able to do it and have done it – give examples

Demonstrated proficiency: know what it is, be able to do it well – give examples

Commitment: the want to do it.

Applying for an advertised vacancy

When you have identified a suitable scholarship vacancy you need to take the following steps:

1. Read the job description to gain an understanding of job requirements.2. Save job.3. Prepare a statement addressing each of the key selection criteria as an attachment.4. Apply for the saved job and upload the key selection criteria attachment.5. Ensure that your resume is up to date before submitting.

Setting up your Selection CriteriaHow to answer Selection Criteria1. Create a word document

2. Type selection criteria #1

3. Make a general statement about the criteria

4. Use a phrase similar to Ï have demonstrated this by…..

Selection Criteria 1: Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.

School life is very busy for both students and teachers so any support across the school is vital to the smooth running of the classroom and the school. I have been able to show my competence in supporting teachers & students by:

To enable schools to be effective it is vital that the routine tasks are done quickly, effectively and without fuss. I am efficient and hardworking in:

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5. Use keywords

Part of the trick of responding to selection criteria is identifying and understanding the keywords in each criterion and incorporating these into your response. These subtle differences and the way you word your response could be what sets you apart from the other applicants.

Know the difference between phrases such as ‘ability to’ (means having the skills), ‘knowledge of’ (familiarity gained from actual experience) and ‘understanding of’ (fully comprehend the matter). Incorporate your understanding of these terms into your response and you’re on the right track to submitting an outstanding statement.

6. Choose the right words

When writing a selection criterion response, find one excellent example from your past and demonstrate what and how you achieved a good outcome. Make sure that you use strong action words such as ‘demonstrated’, ‘reviewed’, ‘developed’, ‘initiated’ or ‘negotiated’ rather than less powerful words such as ‘involved in’ or ‘assisted’.

Always give examples and avoid unsubstantiated claims. You can use bullet points if there is a list of points you are making.

7. Address all the parts

More often than not, selection criteria will consist of several parts and are sometimes qualified as either essential (must-have skills and experience) or desirable (good to have and improve your chances of being highly regarded).

It is tempting to write a broad response focusing on just one part of the criterion and hope this will get you through. But if you want to hit the selection criteria nail on the head and guarantee yourself an interview, then this isn’t good enough.

For example, ‘Ability to contribute ideas and demonstrate initiative and flexibility’ actually has three components – ability to contribute ideas, demonstrate initiative and demonstrate flexibility. In order to respond to this correctly it is vital that you address all three of these skills, making sure to include the keywords in your response.

8. Use dot points of your experience

9. Always give examples of your ability to do the job. Briefly describe

10. Use correct English. This is a school you are applying for

11. Take your time

12. Get someone to read it

13. Save it.

14. Update it whenever necessary

 

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ActivityHere are 5 of the most commonly used criteria. Read through them

Highlight the relevant words using the using the information on the previous page. Decide how many parts if the criterion there are Jot down some strong action words that could be used

SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students, where necessary.

SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents

SC5 A commitment to professional learning and grow

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STAR OR SAO

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ActivityDescribe a special project you worked on or completed (it could be anything)Situation:

Action:

Result:

Accomplishment Statement

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Planning Your Key Selection CriteriaSC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment. Support tasks

Assisting teachers and students with:o sporting activitieso school excursions

Assisting with the management and stocktaking of equipment and resources. Communicating effectively and displaying high level of interpersonal skills to function as an

effective team member. Maintaining anecdotal records on students for use in reviewing student’s development. Displaying respect and empathy for students with high level needs. Displaying confidentiality, tact, reliability and sensitively to students and their families. The compiling and supervising of class rolls. Clerical assistance duties including

o typing teachers' notes and work programs, o duplicating and photocopying teaching materials, o checking bus lists, o collation and duplication of assessment materialo recording of examination resultso compiling students results recordso assisting in organising off site activities – camps, excursions

Assisting in the supervision of education activities, under the direction of a teacher. Assisting in preparing, storing, making available and clearing away teaching equipment and

materials. Assisting teaching staff with playground and bus supervision. Collecting money from students for various school activities as required. Contributing to the welfare, health and safety of students including the delivery of first aid. Assist students with special needs Listening to students’ reading. Reading aloud and storytelling. Assisting with science demonstrations, textile and cooking classes; e.g. collation of food lists,

purchasing, preparation and storage of materials. Laundering linens. Care of equipment. Assisting students to find reference materials. Specific Literacy and Numeracy duties may include:

o support for teachers in providing learning materials for students at risko working with small groups as well as individual studentso use of computers when working with students

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Using the space below record any support tasks you have undertaken

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SC2 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students, where necessary. Teachers – Professional discussions:

Mandatory reporting Information on child’s academic progress Discussions on children’s behaviour Feedback re performance

Students

Building rapport Modelling respect Modelling correct speech Modelling listening skills Children with physical disabilities, wheelchairs, toileting, hearing, sight, Using the space below record any communication that you have had. BE SPECIFIC Give

details

Use the space below to list your communications skills.EE SPECIFIC AND GIVE EXAMPLES

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SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

Proficiency & experience in Office – Digital literacy Skills in Microsoft Office Letter writing Account keeping Online forms Cases21 eCases intercom commander phone systems Photocopier Laminator Classroom Interactive Whiteboards iPads - Apps Internet browsing Common desktop publishing – Publisher, MS Word Common presentation programs – PowerPoint, Keynote Laptops Network file system Suitable education sites for different age groups

Using the space below record any communication that you have had. BE SPECIFIC Give details

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SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents

People Skills · Teamwork: The ability to work cooperatively with others to achieve shared goals, showing diplomacy and flexibility when there are conflicting opinions; Supporting other people’s performance to achieve the best possible results. ·

Leadership: The ability to take control of a situation and to lead by empowering others into an effective team. Inspiring and energizing others to carry out tasks and achieve goals by displaying a clear sense of direction and values.

Interpersonal: The ability to relate to, and feel comfortable with, people at all levels and to be able to make and maintain good working relationships. ·

Oral Communication: The ability to verbally express ideas in a way that is easily understood by others who are unfamiliar with the topic; including delivering a presentation, giving accurate information or acting as a spokesperson.

Written Communication: The ability to write concisely and convey meaning in a manner appropriate to different readers, presenting a persuasive argument

Using the space below record any examples of your people skills, ability to work as a team member.

BE SPECIFIC Give details

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SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth Courses you’ve done Willingness to learn about yourself and students – reflection Willingness to undertake further learning – Specific Disorders: - Autism, Dyslexia/ Learning

areas:- Numeracy/Literacy Using the space below record any professional reading, research on disabilities, learning

areas, ideas that you’ve altered on reflection BE SPECIFIC Give details

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Notes

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