Primary Teacher/Classroom

Primary Teachers may teach students across kindergarten to year 6 which includes the infants school setting. Primary teachers are trained to teach the whole curriculum including English (reading, writing, speaking and listening), maths, science, technology, society and environment, creative arts, health, personal development and physical education. Primary Teachers endeavour to develop children’s interests, abilities and strengths in the key learning areas.

Typical tasks include:

• Plan and develop long-term teaching programs, including daily lessons, according to the curriculum guidelines and student/community needs
• Teach lessons or units of work using a range of teaching methods and strategies - formal lessons, practical projects, experiments and activities, excursions – while utilising information technologies
• Assess, evaluate and report on student progress and performance
• Supervise students during lunch time and other breaks; coordinate student extra-curricular activities
• Contribute to the whole school direction by attending staff meetings and professional development programs
• Participate in parent and community events including Parent Teacher Evenings, School Council Committees

Teachers require a strong interest in working with children, excellent interpersonal and communications skills, an interest in life long learning, organisational and leadership skills. Criminal records checks will be completed before employment.

Training to become a primary teacher requires a four year undergraduate degree that satisfies the relevant state accrediting body or a three year degree (which must also satisfy specific requirements including majors and minor areas of study) followed by a postgraduate accredited teacher trainer program.

Specialist Classroom Teacher

Some primary schools employ teachers who have particular expertise in one or more of the Key Learning Areas. Responsibilities include the development, coordination and delivery of whole school programs in a specialty area like sport, music, drama, languages and IT. Depending upon the size of the school, these teachers may teach the specialist areas across all years or may have a split load consisting of a combination of mainstream and specialist teaching.

Specialist roles would require further study (through elective specialisations or post graduate study) and highly developed skill and experience in teaching one of the Key Learning Areas. Extra-curricular experience may also be considered when recruiting staff for these roles.