Role
The Defence School Mentor provides assistance to Defence families to minimise the impact of the mobile lifestyle on Defence student’s education, including the social aspects of their schooling, and to build the capability of the school to support Defence students particularly during transitions into and out of the school and during parental absences.
Position objectives:
To facilitate a supportive educational environment for Defence families during times of change; To establish ongoing programs and resources for use during and beyond the life of the DSTA program; To help Defence families integrate successfully and quickly into their school and local community; To provide a conduit to education and community resources to support Defence children’s wellbeing. All staff employed at Wodonga Middle Years College must ensure that they are aware of Child Safety Policies and Procedures and the requirements of the Staff Code of Conduct. The occupant of this position will provide information and support and develop a range of activities for the young people of Australian Defence Force families.
Work Environment:
Schools perform a vital role in providing quality educational services to their students to assist them to acquire knowledge and understanding, to pursue special interests, to strive to achieve excellence, and to develop social and vocational skills. Schools also aim to facilitate and support the participation of parents and careers to enable a smooth transition and rewarding educational experience for young people from ADF families.
Reporting Relationships:
The Defence School Mentor (DSM) will be responsible to the Principal or nominee for everyday activities and meet with the Management Team on a regular basis. The REDLO and DSM will also be in close contact for advice, support and training needs.
Responsibilities
Create a greater and ongoing awareness within the school community of the needs of young people from ADF families
Work with individuals, groups, families and stakeholders to develop, implement and evaluate relevant programs.
Promote the participation of young people from ADF families in school and community activities.
Provide advocacy and negotiation support for these young people as required.
Provide them with information and appropriate referral to support services.
Develop resources and programs to support young people from ADF families
Proactively contribute to the school team adhering to school policies and priorities.
Support and assist young people from ADF families to integrate into the school community.
Other duties as required by the Principal of WMYC.
The above responsibilities set out the major duties and tasks associated within the stated job description. Other duties of a similar nature and/or level undertaken within the school are not excluded, simply because they are not itemised.
These duties could vary from time to time resulting from new legislation, changes to technology or policy and procedure, and in the context of any changes, appropriate training may be given, if required, to undertake the new/varied role.
Who May Apply
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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
DE Values
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
Other Information
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
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
WMYC does not bind itself to make any appointment whatsoever from applications received.
Applications must include the following:
* a covering letter;
* brief statements addressing each of the selection criteria;
* your resume/CV detailing employment history;
* names and contact numbers of two professional referees (include current employer/supervisor) who can provide comment on the selection criteria
Applications can be lodged on the DET Recruitment Online Website and follow the link to Job Vacancy/Recruitment Online OR a email a copy of your application to
Location Profile
Wodonga Middle Years College is a supportive teaching and learning environment where student needs and backgrounds are reflected in the learning and design of the school. The clear strategic intention is to maximize opportunities for all students by developing their talents and challenging them to have high aspirations so they achieve their potential and become logical, self aware, collaborative and inquisitive. Importantly, Wodonga Middle Years College seeks to develop skills and competencies so students are well prepared for future study in the next stage of their education.
Wodonga Middle Years College (MY College) caters for 1,000 students in Years 7 to 9 on three campuses.
The development of one Middle Years College with two campuses is providing the flexibility associated with larger schools while still maintaining opportunities for the development of strong relationships and knowledge of student needs that is enhanced in smaller schools. The College also provides unique opportunities for teachers to develop extensive teaching expertise in this important stage of schooling - the middle years.
The College has created opportunities for teachers who wish to accept the exciting challenge of teaching in a uniquely authentic middle school program that develops high expectations and levels of engagement and which can make real differences to the lives and aspirations of the districts' young people.
Our Mission - To be a student focused learning community from which our graduates will:
• Be confident, capable and self-motivated.
• Be comfortable living in a world of diverse people, cultures, and beliefs.
• Be able to establish and maintain effective relationships.
• Be tolerant and act with empathy.
• Be respectful of self and others.
• Make meaningful contributions to society – the local and global community.
• Demonstrates intellectual tenacity and persistence in problem solving
• Be skilled analytic, critical, aesthetic and creative thinkers as the situation demands.
• Respond positively and appropriately to change and challenges.
• Set high expectations for themselves and act to meet those expectations.
• Flourish in a digital world and be a skilled user of evolving technologies.
• Be aware of post school options and successfully access them.
In the Middle Years College:
* Teachers specialise in meeting needs and improving outcomes for middle years students.
* Teachers generally work in a house across year levels.
* There are improved leadership options for Year 9 students.
* The Middle Years campuses have the scope to develop a variety of programs emphasising:
Aus VELS AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) AAP ( Academic Advancement Program) Sporting Excellence Civics and Citizenship * There is a concentrated focus on transition issues with stronger links and co-operation with neighbourhood feeder primary schools and the Wodonga Senior Secondary College.
* Common report writing, timetabling, roll marking and student management software is used at each campus.
* There are expanded curriculum offerings for middle years including: Strong academic studies in all areas of the Victorian Curriculum including classroom and instrumental music.
The two campuses offer languages - Indonesian, Japanese Strong intensive literacy learning programs run at each Campus in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. * Middle Years programs are not restricted by timetable constraints of senior campus requirements.
* Authentic purpose - student outcomes will include the completion or production of tasks relevant to the young people demonstrated through presentations, performance, creation and event management.
* Celebrate and share the opportunities that exist with the work of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School.
* There are strong partnerships to the wider community including tertiary institutions, community agencies, and business.
Wodonga Middle Years College has three campuses: Felltimber, Huon and the Flying Fruit Fly Circus School.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
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 ).
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on: