Berengarra School

Berengarra School offers meaningful employment opportunities for professionals committed to inclusive, student-centred education. Our team works in a supportive environment with excellent facilities across our campuses.

• Human Resources Manager
• Classroom Teacher

 

Human Resources Manager
Position Description
Berengarra School takes a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is fully committed to ensuring that its strategies, policies, procedures and practices meet all Child Safety Standards as specified in Ministerial Order No. 1359 (2022).

About Berengarra School
Berengarra School is a specialist, independent secondary school providing an alternative education for students who are disengaged, may be neurodiverse, experience ADHD, anxiety, or social and emotional complexity. All students who attend Berengarra School have social and/or emotional disability, which have contributed to their difficulties remaining engaged in education. Berengarra School creates a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for young people offering innovative programs to engage young people and meet their individual needs in a stimulating, non-judgmental learning environment delivered by specialist staff.
Berengarra School’s values of Hope, Belonging, Nurturing and Success are at the core of everything we do. The school provides a skills-based curriculum, and our school processes are designed to realise positive learning outcomes for all students. This work is underpinned by a strong focus on positive relationships, student and staff wellbeing and inclusion.
Berengarra School consists of the Box Hill Campus with 50 Year 7-10 students studying the Victorian Curriculum and the Chadstone Campus with 30 Year 11-12 students where the Victorian Pathways certificate (VPC) and VCE Vocational Major (VM) is delivered.

The Role
The Human Resources Manager supports the school’s mission by overseeing all HR functions, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and fostering a positive, professional, and supportive work environment. This role manages employee lifecycle processes — including recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, performance management, and professional development, while maintaining confidentiality and promoting the school’s values and culture. The Human Resources Manager reports to the Principal and will work closely with our Executive Leadership Team as a strategic advisor on all human resources matters, including staff recruitment, staff performance ,the facilitation of HR policies, school processes, initiatives and change management.

Accountability
The Human Resources Manager is accountable for the administration of all policies and procedures and compliance requirements relating to human resources in the school. Primarily this includes responsibility for recruitment, training and development, induction, staffing support, industrial relations and performance management.
The role is critical to supporting the Berengarra School Leadership Team and facilitating the human resource framework and program within the school.
The Human Resources Manager will demonstrate a commitment to the values of Berengarra School, as well as the skills and knowledge to facilitate their achievement.
Works alongside the Leadership Team ensuring compliance including providing assistance in the correct implementation of policies and procedures.

Freedom to Act / Autonomy
They are required to exercise judgement in operating within the framework of responsibilities delegated to them by the Principal as varied from time to time. Any matters regarded as being extremely serious, which would include but not be limited to risk and legal events, must be brought to the attention of the Principal in a timely and effective manner.

Child Safety
Berengarra School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Berengarra School has zero tolerance for child abuse. We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Every person involved in Berengarra School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Key Responsibilities
Human Resources Management
• Support the Principal and Strategic Projects Manager in the further development and management of the human resources function of the school across the employment lifecycle.
• Prepare employment contracts and position descriptions.
• Develop, co-ordinate and conduct the induction of all staff, including appropriate induction for contractors and volunteers.
• Evaluate staff induction, entry and exit processes and make recommendations as appropriate.
• Support the Principal and other members of the Executive Team to coordinate and conduct Annual Review Meetings.
• In collaboration with the Principal and Leadership Team, manage recognition and acknowledgement processes for all staff.
• Ensure that all human resource practices and procedures are compliant with relevant legislation, awards, agreements and school policy
• Assist with the monthly payroll process, and monitor leave entitlements.
• Provide reports to Executive Leadership on Monthly Leave, Casual Replacement Teachers, and any additional pay.
• Provide advice to staff regarding the school’s HR policies and procedures including payroll, leave and other HR related matters.
• In consultation with the Principal and Strategic Project Manager liaise with relevant staff on leave management matters, return to work and Occupational Health and Safety programs.
• Monitor and ensure that School requirements for VIT registration, WWC Clearances and Criminal Record Checks are met.
• Prepare correspondence and reports for government agencies, VRQA and the relevant statutory authorities as required.
• Liaise with relevant organisations including ISV to keep abreast of trends and developments to ensure best practice human resources management.
• Assist with salary benchmarking and comparison as required.
• Liaise with salary packaging and superannuation provider.
• Complete annual Equal Opportunity Reports (WGEA).
• Complete staff census data and maintain staff records (e.g. length of service, leave liability, retention register, etc).
• Complete Independent Schools Victoria Staff Conditions and Salary Benchmarking annual reports, as well as any other surveys as requested.
• Establish and maintain record-keeping in accordance with legislative requirements.
Compliance/Risk
• Assist the Leadership Team in the discharge of their risk management and compliance responsibilities. Report and provide guidance and policy advice to the school’s Executive Team.
• Provide independent appraisal and advice to oversee risk management and compliance processes.
• Provide an educative role in relation to risk management and compliance.
• Assist with Emergency Management procedures, First Aid / Medical management and Risk Management Assessment processes and ensure the school complies with required legislation.
Professional Development
• Oversee, manage and maintain records of professional development and qualifications.
• Assist with and co-ordinate staff development opportunities.
• When appropriate and as required, lead relevant in-house staff training and development.
Employee Relations
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of State and Federal legislative changes particularly in relation to employment law, the Fair Work Act and Award changes. Brief Principal and Strategic Project Manager and communicate such changes to all staff as appropriate.
• Oversee the development, review and implementation of school policies and procedures relating to complaints and disipline procedures and other industrial matters.
• In consultation with the Principal and Leadership Team, coordinate and oversee processes and associated documentation associated with performance management of staff, conduct related issues, consultation about change, dispute resolution and grievance procedures.
• Assist and support staff in working through issues associated with industrial relations.
• Act as Equal Opportunity Officer for the School.
• Liaise on behalf of the School with IEU and other representative groups, as required.
Health and Safety
• Support the Strategic Project Manager in ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements including maintenance of a safe work environment.
• Be an active member of the OH&S Committee and ensure meetings are regularly scheduled.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by reporting accidents and hazards and addressing escalating risks.
• Ensure the workspaces are compliant with OHS regulations.
• Implement specific communication and engagement campaigns via the school’s Learning Management System and other forums such as meetings, focus groups and school updates.
This position description is an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the role and does not represent the entirety of this position. The
Principal reserves the right to vary this position description to meet the changing needs of the school.

Key Selection Criteria
Experience, Skills and Knowledge
• A professional HR Manager with demonstrated relevant experience, able to hit the ground running. Experience in the education sector highly regarded
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or related discipline.
• Have a minimum 5 years’ experience in HR
• Demonstrated understanding of , and experience in, implementing best practice Human Resources processes and procedures
• Workplace Relations experience, including interpretation and application of Awards and employment law. Experience liaising with unions on workplace matters, conducting workplace investigations, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• High level of ICT competency. Experience using Synergetic or similar databases
• Capacity to identify issues and provide confidential and accurate advice.

Personal Attributes
• Open and collegial, with strong leadership skills and inquiring with a solution focus;
• Flexible and adaptive to the changing demands of the job;
• Highly relational and engaged with leadership teams to provide support and consultation;
• Identify with Berengarra School values of Hope, Belonging, Nurturing and Success and are willing and able to embed them into your HR Practice
• A proven capacity to work independently and collaboratively effectively in the face of changing priorities, deadlines and pressures.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Show continuing professional learning and reflection
• Self-motivated, conscientious, reliable and enthusiastic
• Honesty, integrity and compassion
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with school leadership

Human Resources Manager Position Description

Position Description
Classroom Teacher
Berengarra takes a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and is fully committed to ensuring that its strategies, policies, procedures and practices meet all Child Safety Standards as specified in Ministerial Order No. 1359 (2022).

About Berengarra School

Berengarra School is an independent, not-for-profit, co-educational secondary school for students who have had significant difficulties in mainstream education settings. All students who attend Berengarra School have social and/or emotional disability, which have contributed to their difficulties remaining engaged in education. Berengarra School creates a safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for young people offering innovative programs to engage young people and meet their individual needs in a stimulating, non-judgmental learning environment delivered by specialist staff.
Berengarra School’s values of Hope, Belonging, Nurturing and Success are at the core of everything we do. The school provides a skills-based curriculum, and our school processes are designed to realise positive learning outcomes for all students. This work is underpinned by a strong focus on positive relationships, student and staff wellbeing and inclusion.
Berengarra School consists of the Box Hill Campus with 50 Year 7-10 students studying the Victorian Curriculum and the Chadstone Campus with 30 Year 11-12 students where the Victorian Pathways certificate (VPC) and VCE Vocational Major (VM) is delivered.

The Role
The Classroom Teacher works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality, trauma-aware, and inclusive education to students with diagnosed social and emotional disabilities. The teacher plays a critical role in fostering a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment that promotes both academic achievement and social-emotional support and development.

Child Safety
Berengarra School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. Berengarra School has zero tolerance for child abuse. We are committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability. Every person involved in Berengarra School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role they play individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Key responsibilities
Curriculum Planning and Delivery
• Develop and implement differentiated teaching and learning programs aligned with the VCE VM program incorporating students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative practices, and therapeutic supports into daily lessons.
• Adapt content and teaching strategies to support students with social and emotional challenges including complex trauma, emotional regulation challenges, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other co-morbidities.
• Consistently plan, resource and deliver lessons that allow stimulating and enjoyable learning to take place based on the school curriculum
• Teach engaging and effective lessons that motivate, inspire and improve student attainment and engagement.
• Contribute to the development of sound literacy and numeracy skills for all students.
Student Engagement and Student Regulation Support
• Use trauma-aware practices and the Berengarra School Model to apply strategies to manage challenging student presentation effectively and compassionately.
• Maintain consistent classroom routines and expectations that promote safety, self-regulation, and student voice.
• Collaborate with wellbeing staff, families and care teams to understand and respond to each student’s learning and emotional needs.
• Provide a safe, nurturing classroom and school environment that helps students to develop as learners

Individual Planning and Assessment
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and regular review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Use formative and summative assessment tools to monitor academic outcomes.
• Use wellbeing measurement tools to assess to student social/emotional progress
• Report on student progress in collaboration with multidisciplinary team members.
• Maintain regular and productive communication with parents, to report on progress and to relay other relevant information
• Enter documentation/use student management system.
Team Collaboration and Professional Learning
• Work closely with Education Support staff (ES staff), and leadership to provide consistent, wrap-around support for students.
• Participate in regular team meetings, care team conferences, and professional learning.
• Reflect on and continuously improve personal teaching practice through coaching, feedback and ongoing professional development.
• Provide the role of home group teacher, forming productive communication with families, to report on progress and to relay other relevant information to relevant school staff.
Communication and Relationships
• Develop trusting, respectful relationships with students, built on empathy, consistency, and child safety.
• Maintain open, professional, and solution-focused communication with families and carers.
• Liaise effectively with external service providers, including allied health professionals, Child Protection, DHHS, and mental health agencies, where appropriate.
• Other duties as directed
This position description is an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the role and does not represent the entirety of this position. The School reserves the right to vary this position description to meet the changing needs of the School.

Key selection Criteria
Teaching Expertise
Deliver units across the VCE Vocational Major curriculum areas:
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Work Related Skills (WRS)
• Personal Development Skills (PDS)
• Adapt and personalise content to meet individual learning needs, literacy levels, and student interests.
• Use real-world, project-based learning to build student engagement and link learning to future employment and pathways.
• Proven ability to plan, implement, and assess high-quality, differentiated teaching programs in line with curriculum requirements and individual student needs.
• Demonstrate effective teaching practices and an ability to teach a wide curriculum
• Ability to plan innovative classroom activities for students
• Ability to follow and develop curriculum for the enhancement of all students
Understanding of Social-Emotional Disability
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health conditions, trauma-aware practice, and the impact of disability on learning and student presentation.
Student Support Skills
• Strong skills in managing challenging behaviour, de-escalation strategies, and relational approaches.
Teamwork and Collaboration
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, contributing positively to a collaborative and supportive school culture.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships with students, families, staff, and external agencies.
Commitment to Professional Growth
• Willingness to engage in ongoing professional development and self-reflection to improve practice in a specialist education context.

Qualifications
• Bachelor or higher qualification in Education (Primary or Secondary)
• Current VIT registration
• Current Victorian Drivers’ License
Desirable
• Completed BSEM training or Trauma aware education.
• Higher degree in and/or experience in special education, learning diversity and/or student wellbeing
• Current First Aid qualification

 

Classroom Teacher Position Description

 

Applications should be emailed to: employment@berengarra.com.au 

All applications should include

• A Cover letter addressing your suitability for the position
• A Resume detailing your qualifications and experience
• Three professional referees

For all questions related to this position please us on (03) 9898 9167

*Please note we do not accept applications via agencies

Please note: Only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted with regards to the progress of their application.

Closing date for applications COB Friday 2 February 2026. Interviews will commence on receipt of applications from appropriate candidates.

Please Note: the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Berengarra School is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowering of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, or religion.

Terms and Conditions

In undertaking this position, compliance with all Berengarra School policies and guidelines as outlined in the Staff Handbook or its equivalent is required. The successful applicant must abide to the Child Safety and School Community Code of Conducts and abide all child safety standards.

About the School

Berengarra School is an independent, not-for-profit, co-educational secondary school for students who have had significant difficulties in mainstream education settings. All students who attend Berengarra School have social and/or emotional disability, that have contributed to their difficulties remaining engaged in education.

Berengarra School has two campuses, the Box Hill Campus with 50 Year 7-10 students studying the Victorian Curriculum and the Chadstone Campus with 30 Year 11-12 students where the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and VCE Vocational Major (VM) is delivered.

How to apply – submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description below and enclose a copy of your CV by email to employment@berengarra.com.au