Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 2
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Gippsland - Wellington
Reference: 1547987
Selection Criteria
Key selection criteria
These five criteria are written to assess applicants with experience in education, student wellbeing, youth work, Defence family support or related community roles, without requiring previous employment as a Defence School Mentor.
KSC 1 ¿ Student wellbeing and engagement
Demonstrated ability to build positive and supportive relationships with primary school-aged students, with an understanding of strategies that promote student wellbeing, engagement, resilience and a sense of belonging.
KSC 2 ¿ Communication and relationship building
Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with students, families, school staff and external support services.
KSC 3 ¿ Understanding of Defence families and student transitions
Knowledge of, or the capacity to develop an understanding of, the unique experiences and challenges faced by Australian Defence Force families, including deployment, relocation, family separation and school transitions, and the ability to provide appropriate support.
KSC 4 ¿ Program planning and organisation
Demonstrated organisational skills and the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver engaging activities and initiatives that support student wellbeing, social connection, inclusion and participation within a school community.
KSC 5 ¿ Collaboration, professionalism and child safety
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a school team, exercise initiative and sound judgement, maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and demonstrate a strong commitment to child safety, inclusion and student wellbeing.
Role
[Attendance requirement for this position]
An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
A role at this range may include:
- Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
- Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
- Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
- Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.
An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.
Responsibilities
Role description
The Defence School Mentor (DSM) at Guthridge Primary School plays an important role in supporting the wellbeing, engagement and sense of belonging of students from Australian Defence Force (ADF) families. The position provides targeted support to students and families who may experience challenges associated with Defence life, including relocation, deployment, family separation and transitions between schools.
Working collaboratively with the school leadership team, wellbeing staff, classroom teachers and families, the Defence School Mentor will develop positive relationships with Defence-connected students and provide opportunities for them to feel supported, connected and included within the school community. The role will assist students to develop resilience, confidence and positive social connections while supporting their successful participation in school life.
The Defence School Mentor will also strengthen communication between Defence families and the school, support families transitioning into and out of Guthridge Primary School, and promote an understanding of the unique experiences and needs of Defence families across the school community.
The successful applicant will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, empathy, initiative and the ability to work collaboratively within a primary school setting. The role requires a commitment to student wellbeing, child safety, confidentiality and inclusive education.
Key responsibilities
1. Student wellbeing and engagement
- Develop positive and supportive relationships with students from Defence families.
- Provide regular student check-ins and individual or small-group mentoring activities.
- Support students experiencing challenges associated with deployment, relocation, family separation and changes in routine.
- Promote positive relationships, resilience, emotional regulation and a sense of belonging.
- Identify students requiring additional support and connect them with the school's wellbeing team.
2. Defence family engagement and transition
- Welcome new Defence families and assist students to settle into the school environment.
- Support students and families transitioning into or out of Guthridge Primary School.
- Maintain regular communication with Defence families to identify emerging needs and provide appropriate assistance.
- Provide information about school programs, routines, services and available wellbeing supports.
- Strengthen relationships between Defence families, school staff and relevant community support services.
3. Student connection and school activities
- Plan and facilitate activities that encourage friendships, inclusion and positive peer relationships.
- Organise opportunities for Defence students to connect with one another and the wider student community.
- Support Defence-related school activities, including ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations.
- Promote student voice and opportunities for Defence students to contribute to school life.
- Encourage participation in school events, extracurricular activities and community initiatives.
4. Collaboration and school capacity building
- Work collaboratively with the principal, leadership team, classroom teachers and wellbeing staff.
- Raise staff awareness of the challenges and experiences associated with Defence family life.
- Share appropriate resources and information to strengthen the school's capacity to support Defence students.
- Liaise with Defence Member and Family Support and relevant external organisations when appropriate.
- Contribute to the school's broader wellbeing and inclusion priorities.
5. Program administration and accountability
- Maintain appropriate records of student engagement, activities and support provided.
- Assist with monitoring student participation, connection and wellbeing outcomes.
- Support the collection of information required for Defence School Mentor Program reporting.
- Ensure all activities align with program funding guidelines and school policies.
- Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and compliance with child safety requirements.
Who May Apply
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Diversity and Inclusion
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au
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.
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
Location Profile
Guthridge Primary School is located in Sale, Gippsland, and is approximately 220 km east of Melbourne.
Enrolments in 2027 will be approximately 255 with a Student Family Occupation and Education (SFOE) index of 0.5070.
Our school has high expectations of all its students and aims to provide an opportunity for each of them to develop as learners, now and in the future.
Guthridge has a Foundation-support class specifically designed to support the transition from kindergarten to school for children who need a settling year of school, after a year at kindergarten.
We have superior facilities to support all students in all domains. Our purpose built Fitness Centre accommodates all forms of ball and racquet sports. Our Swimming Program operates in our own enclosed, heated swimming pool with qualified instructors. Our sporting facilities also include a synthetic sports field, complete with four lane running track and long jump pit. We have a football field and outdoor basketball, netball and down-ball courts for all ages. Our students participate in a variety of Specialist Classes such as Art, Performing Arts, Physical Education and Science.
At Guthridge, we promote positive and purposeful play to build healthy bodies and healthy brains. There are numerous research studies linking active play and academic success. We offer a variety of play choices and activities for students at recess and lunch times. Students need to learn how to `play¿ just like they need to learn how to `learn¿.
At Guthridge Primary School, we believe:
- Play allows children to develop their oral and functional language skills as well as expand their imagination and creativity.
- Play helps children develop social skills, including conflict resolution skills and self-advocacy skills
- Play also helps children develop patience, a sense of belonging and essential communication skills.
Guthridge Primary School has a well-established Program for Students with Disabilities. We use our Equity funding to provide additional supports and intervention to identified students with a philosophy of full inclusion in the classroom. Further to this, we have a well-established wellbeing team consisting of a Student Wellbeing Officer providing additional support to students and families five days a week, as well as highly experienced Education Support Staff providing Integration Aiding to identified students.
Additionally, the Department of Defence provide our school with funding to employ a Defence School Mentor to provide assistance and support to the children of Australian Defence Force members at our school.
Our Core Values are embedded in the language of our school and are very much the basis of our aspirations as life-long learners - Show Respect. Have a Go. Keep Trying. Bounce Back and Work as a Team. Ultimately we aim collectively to 'Be Our Best'. As part of our school-wide positive support approach to managing behaviour, we have also developed three expectations * Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be Responsible; these make clear the behaviour choices and boundaries for students at Guthridge Primary School.
Guthridge Primary School is committed to promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, vulnerable children and children with a disability.
Apply now Applications close Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 11.59pm Posted 14 October 2026
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