Lara Secondary College will be in it's eighteenth year of operation in 2020. We have built the school with a clear vision for continuous improvement with the student at the centre of all that we do. Our vision and direction is guided by our values of EXCELLENCE, TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT AND RESPECT which is centred on our College Motto – Realise Your Potential.

Our agreed purpose is to ensure that all students are successful in reaching their potential in the shared knowledge that all students can learn. The College offers a rich and broad curriculum across all year levels. Students in Years 7/8 work in “pods” of two classes enabling high levels of monitoring, learning and differentiation with two core teachers to ensure that strong relationships are built as students transition to the secondary setting. We also have a broad range of elective based subjects at Years 10 and we offer many opportunities for students to select their VCE/VET or VCAL subjects according to their academic passions.

Lara Secondary College is committed to work as a Professional Learning Community (Defour and Defour) and we are committed to working collaboratively to establish a guaranteed and viable Curriculum as well as closely monitoring student learning and ensuring that a structured process of intervention is in place to ensure that “all students learn”.

At Lara Secondary College every student is supported to be their best and learn to their full potential in an environment where teachers are passionate about their work and their students.

The College has a strong focus on delivering high quality teacher practice via the implementation of a Common Instructional Model, which focuses on the 9 High Yield Teaching Strategies outlined in Dr. Jane Pollock's book “Classroom Instruction that Works” (Marzano, Pickering & Pollock).

School Wide Positive Behaviours is our framework for the ongoing support and development of student wellbeing. These priorities are embedded in our practice and enable the school to be clearly focused on the work that is critical to student success. We know that relationships between students and teachers have a large impact on student learning and our work. We understand that students learn best when they relate well to their teachers, when they feel safe and secure.

Our intensive pastoral care curriculum across Years 7 - 12 includes a structured program to support the development of academic success, individual self-esteem, learning confidence, resilience and persistence, as well as the essential ability to relate positively to others. We pride ourselves on strong and positive relationships between staff and students and work with passion and enthusiasm to ensure that every student gains the maximum benefit from their secondary education at Lara Secondary College.

Lara Secondary College has a very strong focus on the five main areas listed below:

• Common Instructional Teaching Model

All teachers at the College deliver their lessons in an agreed Common Instructional Model based on the implementation of 9 evidence based High Yield Teaching strategies. Such teaching strategies are implemented in order to gain high level achievement growth for all students across Years 7 – 12. Teaching staff regularly collaborate to ensure high quality teaching strategies are implemented across every class within the College.

• Student Engagement Policy

The College implements very clear guidelines in relation to student management and health and wellbeing. Such clear and concise documentation enables all people involved with our College to develop a real sense of pride and belonging to the College. Respect of oneself and each other is a strong focus of the College.

• School Improvement Policy

We believe that all students learn at different rates. It is for this reason that all students from Year 7 – 10 have the opportunity to improve their first result on a Common Assessment Task, if they believe with an extra week of study and more effort, they will fully understand the topic being studied and therefore obtain a better grade. We provide opportunities for all students to understand that the amount of effort they place into their studies will ultimately determine their level of academic success. ‘Attitude not Aptitude, will determine your Altitude’

• Academic Scholarships at Year 7 and Year 10

The College offers Academic Scholarships at Year 7 and Year 10 to the value of $500 each year for 3 years duration. The Academic Scholarships help support those students who are academically talented and ensure they are financially supported in reaching their high academic potential throughout their years in secondary school. Such students are also able to access our Year 7 – 9 Enrichment Classes where they will undertake more challenging curriculum work, amongst students of similar abilities.

• Extra – Curricula Programs

The College offers a wide range of Extra –Curricula Programs including Performing Arts Evenings, Senior and Junior Music Evenings, Inter School Sports, Youth Parliament, Homework Club, SRC Leadership Involvement, School for Student Leadership Program, Year 9 Connections Program, International Exchange Programs, Upstart Business Ideas Program and many more.

SC1 Demonstrated understanding of initiatives in student learning including the Standards, the Principles of Learning and Teaching P-12 and Assessment and Reporting Advice and the capacity to implement and evaluate learning and teaching programs in accordance with the Victorian curriculum.

SC2 Demonstrated high level classroom teaching skills and the capacity to work with colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.

SC3 Demonstrated ability to monitor and assess student learning data and to use this data to inform teaching for improved student learning.

SC4 Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills and high level interpersonal skills including the capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with parents, other employees and the broader school community to focus on student learning, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values, including a commitment and capacity to actively contribute to and manage major curriculum or student activities and a commitment to continually improving teaching quality and capacity through the application of knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional development and learning.

SC6 School Specific: Demonstrated capabilities that will clearly contribute to the new College Teaching and Learning Framework and the use of the 9 High Yield teaching strategies associated with the research produced by Marzano and Pollock, in the book titled ‘Classroom Instruction that works”.

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.

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.

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.

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• 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.