Occupation: Health and allied health

Reference: 1548793

Location Profile

Rutherglen High School is a vibrant and growing secondary school in north-east Victoria, serving the communities of Chiltern, Rutherglen, Springhurst, Wahgunyah and the surrounding rural district. With an enrolment of approximately 282 students, the school combines the benefits of a close-knit learning community with a broad range of educational opportunities. Increasingly recognised as a school of choice, Rutherglen High School attracts students from a wider catchment area including Barnawartha, Wodonga, Corowa, Howlong and Albury, reflecting the confidence families place in the school's programs, culture and student outcomes.

At the heart of the school are the values of Respect, Responsibility and Aspiration, which underpin all aspects of school life. These values guide the way students learn, interact and contribute to their community, creating a culture where every student is known, valued and supported to achieve success. Our diverse student population includes students from a range of backgrounds, including 4% who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The school's dedicated teaching and educational support staff work collaboratively to ensure students are challenged, supported and encouraged to pursue their goals.

A key strength of Rutherglen High School is its commitment to providing engaging and creative learning experiences. In Year 7, students participate in an integrated curriculum program designed to support a smooth and successful transition from primary school to secondary education. At Year 9, students undertake the highly regarded Future Makers program, where they develop leadership,



teamwork and project management skills through authentic community-based learning opportunities. Through these experiences, students learn the importance of responsibility, service and active citizenship while building the confidence to make a positive contribution to their local and broader communities.

Strong partnerships with families, local businesses, community organisations, tertiary providers and industry groups enhance student learning and pathway opportunities. These connections help students develop the skills, knowledge and experiences required to confidently transition into further education, training or employment.

Selection Criteria

- Ability to implement a range of small group and whole-school mental health prevention and promotion activities aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing, including the delivery of capability building and awareness raising activities for staff and/or students on key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting the school’s student population.
- Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing prevention, promotion and early intervention.
- Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling support to clients with a range of mental health needs.




- Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.
- Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
- Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

Role

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools. The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses and specialist school (with secondary-aged enrolments) settings.

Operating in collaboration with the relevant Department of Education Regional Mental Health Branch, this role has the following functions:

- Enhancing mental health prevention and promotion activities in the school by contributing to whole-school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to address matters relating to student mental health and wellbeing, and helping to develop and deliver appropriate programs and strategies in the school according to specified school priorities
- Providing early intervention services (including short-term counselling) for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns; and
- Coordinating supports for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health

📌 Mental Health Practitioner 0.3 FTE (Indigo Shire)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 Indigo Shire