Location Profile

Greater Shepparton Secondary College: A Place to Grow, Lead and Make a Difference

Our College

At Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC), we believe we are Greater Together.

This philosophy underpins everything we do, from the way we support students and families to how we work together as colleagues and professionals.

With about 2,000 students in Years 7-12, GSSC is one of Victoria's largest secondary schools. Through our creative House and Neighbourhood model, we combine the opportunities and resources of a large school with the strong relationships, personal support and sense of belonging often associated with smaller learning communities.

GSSC was established through the Shepparton Education Plan, a landmark Victorian Government initiative that brought together four secondary colleges to create a new model of secondary education for the region. Since opening on our purpose-built Hawdon Street campus in 2022, GSSC has become one of the most contemporary and ambitious public schools in Australia.

Why This Leadership Opportunity Is Unique

Opportunities to lead, influence and innovate at the scale of Greater Shepparton Secondary College are rare.

As one of Victoria's largest government secondary schools, GSSC offers educational leaders the opportunity to work in a complex and dynamic environment that delivers meaningful impact for students, staff and the broader community.

This is an opportunity to:

- Lead at scale within a large and diverse educational setting supported by a substantial teaching, education support, wellbeing, business and leadership workforce.

- Shape the future of a landmark school, building on strong foundations while influencing the next phase of strategic growth and continuous improvement.

- Drive excellence in teaching and learning across an extensive curriculum and pathway program designed to support every young person's aspirations.

- Champion inclusion and equity, serving a richly diverse community and one of the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in regional Victoria.

- Influence educational outcomes across an entire region, working in partnership with families, community organisations, tertiary providers, industry and government.

- Lead within exceptional facilities, stewarding one of Australia's most contemporary secondary education campuses.

- Develop future leaders, fostering professional growth and succession planning across all levels of the organisation.

- Contribute to system leadership, engaging with regional and statewide initiatives that shape the future of public education in Victoria.

Most importantly, leadership at GSSC provides the opportunity to create a lasting legacy. The decisions made today help shape the educational, social and economic opportunities available to thousands of young people across Greater Shepparton and surrounding communities.

For educators seeking a role defined by purpose, challenge, professional growth and community impact, GSSC offers a genuinely unique leadership chance.

A School Designed for Excellence

Our award-winning campus has been purpose-built to support collaboration, innovation and opportunity.

Staff and students enjoy exceptional facilities including:

- Enterprise and Innovation Centre

- Specialist science, technology and digital learning spaces

- Performing arts facilities and theatrette

- Double gymnasium and extensive outdoor recreation spaces

- Rooftop gardens for senior students

- Modern, versatile teaching and learning environments

These facilities support innovative teaching practices and provide opportunities rarely found in regional education settings.

Our People

The success of GSSC is built on the expertise, dedication and passion of our people.

Whether working in classroom teaching, education support, wellbeing, administration, facilities management or leadership, every employee plays an important role in improving outcomes for young people.

As a relatively new college, we have intentionally focused on developing a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture founded on professional respect, high expectations and continuous improvement.

New employees benefit from structured induction and mentoring programs, while an active staff wellbeing and social program helps foster strong professional relationships and a sense of belonging across the college.

Professional Learning Excellence

Greater Shepparton is home to one of the regional centres of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, providing local access to some of the state's most respected professional learning and leadership development programs.

This enables aspiring and established leaders to strengthen their practice, expand their professional networks and pursue career progression while remaining connected to their local school community.

Learn more:

- Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
https://www.academy.vic.gov.au/
- Hear from local educators:

- Tara Richardson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvLX0wXi7LA

- Chris Harris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDBLqF3dyWs

A Student-Centred and Inclusive Culture

Relationships are at the heart of our work.

GSSC is committed to ensuring every student feels connected, supported and challenged to achieve their personal best.

This commitment is reflected through our neighbourhood-based support model, comprehensive wellbeing services, student leadership opportunities and award-winning careers program.

Our wellbeing, inclusion, First Nations and multicultural teams work alongside teaching staff to create learning environments that are culturally responsive, inclusive and supportive of success for every student.

Our Community

Greater Shepparton Secondary College proudly reflects the diversity, resilience and aspirations of the Greater Shepparton community.

Located on the Country of the Yorta Yorta and Bangerang Peoples, the region is home to the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in regional Victoria outside metropolitan Melbourne.

Greater Shepparton is also one of regional Victoria's most culturally diverse communities, with residents from more than 50 nations contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community.

With a population of approximately 66,000 people, the region offers the benefits of regional living combined with excellent health, education, sporting, cultural and recreational opportunities. Melbourne is only two hours away by road, providing easy access to metropolitan services while enjoying the lifestyle advantages of a thriving regional centre.

Find out more about the region:

https://greatershepparton.com.au/region/moving-here

Our Values

Our work is guided by four core values:

Aspiration: We aspire to excellence in all that we do.

Integrity: We act in a way that is honest, ethical and trustworthy.

Respect: We value diversity, show care for ourselves and others, and foster positive relationships.

Responsibility: We are accountable for our decisions and actions and strive to make a positive contribution to our community.

Learn More

Greater Shepparton Secondary College

- Website: https://www.gssc.vic.edu.au/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreaterSheppartonSC

Shepparton Education Plan





- https://www.vic.gov.au/education-plans

Join Us

At Greater Shepparton Secondary College, you'll be part of a school that is ambitious in its vision, innovative in its approach and deeply connected to its community.

To obtain an information pack on the College, applicants are encouraged to contact Trent McCrae, Senior Education Improvement Leader, at ************@education.vic.gov.au

Selection Criteria

(a) Vision and values

Demonstrated capacity to create a shared vision, define and gain acceptance of school goals and set and communicate expectations for effective performance.

(b) Teaching and Learning

Demonstrated ability to manage the quality of teaching and create a positive culture of challenge, support and collaboration.

(c) Improvement, Innovation and Change

Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies and lead innovation and change.

(d) Management

Demonstrated capacity to ensure that the school's human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.

(e) Development

Demonstrated capacity to create a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and commitment to their own learning and wellbeing.

(f) Engagement

Demonstrated capacity to develop positive relationships with students, parents/families and the local community and participate in and contribute to system-level activities.

(g) Community Criterion

Strategic community leadership and engagement

Demonstrated capacity to lead strategic, inclusive and culturally responsive community engagement, build authentic partnerships with diverse families and stakeholders, and foster equity, belonging and high expectations to improve outcomes for all students.

Role

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Executive will be responsible for leading and managing the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community.
At the same time, the executive, as executive officer of the school council, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters; that the decisions of the council are implemented and that adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The Executive will be accountable for the overall management and development of the school within state-wide guidelines and Government policies and will report to the Regional Director.
The core accountabilities are to:
- ensure the delivery of a comprehensive high quality education program to all students.
- be executive officer of the school council.
- establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department and school council requirements.
- represent the Department in the school and the local community.
- implement decisions of the school council.
- contribute to system-wide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development.
- comply with regulatory and legislative requirements and Department policies and procedures.
- appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations.
- report to the Department, school community, parents and students on the achievements of the school and of individual students as appropriate.

Responsibilities

The following accountabilities describe the major educational and managerial functions for which the principal is directly accountable. It is understood that all the functions will not necessarily be carried out directly by the executive principal.

Education Programs

- Develop a whole school curriculum plan that ensures all students have access to a high quality, comprehensive education appropriate to their individual needs.

- Manage the implementation and evaluation of the school's curriculum program.

- Undertake regular reviews of the school's teaching and learning practices to ensure that they are informed by the evidence base about quality teaching and how students learn effectively.

- Develop, implement and regularly review school policy and practice on assessment and reporting to provide students and parents with regular and comprehensive information on their children's learning achievements.

- Provide advice to students and parents on matters related to the education of students.

Student Support

- Develop a student engagement policy for approval by the school council and ensure its effective implementation within the school.

- Plan, implement and monitor arrangements to ensure the care, safety, security and general well-being of all students in attendance at the school including compliance with the child safe standards.

- Arrange for the provision of school-based and external student support services to meet the particular educational, social and physical needs of students.

- Create a learning environment that is relationship based, challenging, rewarding, pursues excellence, addresses the needs of students and encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning.

School Council

- Be the executive officer of the school council.

- Provide timely and skilled advice to the school council on all educational issues, Department policy and guidelines, the operation of the school and council responsibilities.

- Develop appropriate policies for approval by the school council and manage their implementation within the school.

- Ensure appropriate representation on all school council sub-committees.

Accountability and Improvement

- Lead and manage the development and implementation of the School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, including managing the periodic cycle of self-evaluation and review.

- Lead the development of the Annual Report to the School Community

- Ensure compliance with relevant legislative and policy requirements.

Parents

- Ensure that parents are regularly provided with comprehensive information related to the operation of the school and associated matters related to the educational development of their children.

- Promote structures and processes designed to encourage a cooperative school-parent relationship and to facilitate the participation of parents in groups, school activities and consultation related to the education of their children.

- Ensure that all parents are aware of their rights and responsibilities in relation to the education of their children and that those rights and responsibilities are reflected in the policies and practices of the school operation.

School Organisation

- Develop structures and consultative processes to enable the appropriate involvement of staff,



school council and parents in planning, policy and program development and review and school operations.

- Manage the establishment of administrative structures and procedures to ensure the efficient operation of the school on a day to day basis.

- Develop and implement a structure for the grouping and organisation of students that is informed by effective teacher practice and desired student outcomes

- Arrange the school's timetable to achieve an optimal balance between teaching and learning methodologies, face-to-face contact hours, class sizes and available resources.

Department Representative

- As the senior representative of the Department in the school community, represent the policies of the Department to the school council and community and interpret and implement these policies in a manner appropriate to the school.

- Provide advice to the Department on the views of school community members in relation to matters of Department policy and operation.

- Participate in the planning and management of education at network, regional and state-wide levels as appropriate.

Personnel

- Select all staff, in a manner, which complies with merit and equity provisions and other Department guidelines.
- Manage the employment of all staff.
- Manage the overall deployment of a school's human resources, including decisions on staffing levels and mix, excess staff, and the allocation of responsibilities to staff.

- Determine the number and classification of promotional positions and select staff to fill these positions.

- Establish and maintain accurate staff records at the school.

- Ensure that all procedures comply with relevant Awards, Orders, Agreements and legislation.

- Plan and implement the school's performance and development process for all staff in accordance with Department guidelines.

- Manage the development, implementation and monitoring of the school's professional learning strategy to increase the professional skills and knowledge base of all staff members and the achievement of the school's goals and objectives.

- Initiate appropriate processes in relation to staff whose work performance or actions are not of an appropriate standard.

- Negotiate workplace and individual employment arrangements for all school staff.

- Ensure the provision of an appropriate induction program for new staff.

- Provide professional advice to staff on matters related to their individual role and responsibilities in the school, career development and employee rights and responsibilities.

- Manage the grievance review process and the resolution of complaints about staff of the school.

- Provide for school-based experience for trainee teachers with appropriate support structures.

Finance

- Manage the school's financial resources in a manner which ensures the achievement of the school's goals and that expenditure is within the school's approved budget.

- Develop and prepare budget submissions for approval by the school council.

- Provide a report on the performance of the school expenditure against budget to each meeting of the school council.

- Ensure that an audited financial statement is prepared and submitted annually to the Department and presented at the school council's annual reporting meeting to parents.

- Ensure the school operates to a balanced budget on a cash operating basis and that all liabilities and financial commitments are brought to account in the relevant year.

Facilities

- Ensure all facilities and equipment under the control of the school are appropriately maintained.
- Develop, implement and manage a plan for the development and general maintenance of school buildings and grounds.
- Arrange for the completion of minor works and routine maintenance of all school furniture, equipment, grounds, buildings and other resources.
- Maintain an assets register of all school furniture, equipment, buildings and other resources for audit and insurance purposes.
- Participate in the development of major capital works proposals to meet the school's future operational requirements.

School Community and the Wider Community

- Represent the school in the local community on matters related to the school.

- Support the school council and parent groups in fund raising activities within the school and the wider community to provide resources which meet the expectations of the school community.

Who May Apply

Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

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 *******@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

Conditions of Employment

- 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 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal

📌 Executive Class - Principal - Greater Shepparton Secondary College - NEVR (Greater Shepparton City)
🏢 Department of Education Victoria
📍 Greater Shepparton City