DIOCESE OF TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC EDUCATION GUIDELINES FOR TEACHER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

Transcription

1 DIOCESE OF TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC EDUCATION GUIDELINES FOR TEACHER EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS Last reviewed 24 February 2014

2 Contents How to Register for Teaching... 2 Step 1: Complete the Application for Teacher Employment Form... 2 Step 2: Attach documentary evidence... 2 Step 3: Submit your Application... 2 Acknowledgment of application... 2 Notification of changes... 3 Completing your application for Teacher Employment... 3 Section 1: Personal Details... 3 Section 2: Applicant Details... 3 Section 3: Additional personal and identification information... 5 Section 4: Recognition of Diversity... 6 Section 5: Teacher Preferences... 7 Section 6: Location Preferences... 7 Section 7: Teaching and other relevant employment history... 8 Section 8: Skills and Competencies... 9 Section 9: Educational Qualifications... 9 Section 10: Referee Reports Section 11: Employment Collection Notice Section 12: Suitability Declaration Section 13: Certified Document Checklist Section 14: Application Checklist Section 15: Frequently Asked Questions Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 1

3 How to Register for Teaching Step 1: Complete the Application for Teacher Employment Form The Application for Teacher Employment form must be completed in full. Information provided in this guide and on the form itself will assist you to work through and complete your application. Please use a black or blue pen when writing on the application form. Step 2: Attach documentary evidence Your application will only proceed if it is accompanied by CERTIFIED copies of the necessary documents. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. This symbol will indicate which documents are required. All documents must be certified by an authorised person, such as a public notary, a Justice of the Peace, a Commissioner of Declarations, a solicitor, a barrister or a person authorised to administer an oath. Step 3: Submit your Application Applicants seeking employment in a Catholic School in the Toowoomba Diocese must submit an Application for Teacher Employment form together with necessary documentation to the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office. Applications should be sent to: The Director Toowoomba Catholic Education Office Attention: Karen Badcock PO Box 756 Toowoomba QLD 4350 Acknowledgment of application Once your application is received and checked by the Administration Assistant, School Improvement Services an will be sent to you outlining any further documentation still required and the Mandatory Student Protection and Code of Conduct online training to be completed. A logon will be receive with this to access the training on the Catholic Education Office internal intranet site. On final receipt of all completed documentation and Mandatory training certificates and declaration forms an acknowledgement letter will be sent via post to the address listed on your application. This acknowledgement does not imply any assurance of appointment but to state you are now compliant to be on the Principals Relief Teacher. If no acknowledgement has been received within fifteen (15) working days after posting your application, please contact the following: Karen Badcock Administration Assistant School Improvement Services Ph: Karen.badcock@twb.catholic.edu.au PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be kept on file for 12 months from the date received. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 2

4 Notification of changes It is an applicant s responsibility to keep the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office informed of any change to their application information, especially change of address. Completing your application for Teacher Employment Section 1: Personal Details Surname: This should be your legal name for all official records. Any change from the birth name should be accompanied by the relevant documentary evidence (such as marriage certificates, deed poll, court order, change of name certificate etc.). Given Name/s: State all given names in full. Street Address: It is important that you give an address that is a reliable place where information can be sent to you. Postal Address: It is only necessary to complete this if it differs from the street address. Religious Denomination: Toowoomba Catholic Education welcomes people from a variety of faith backgrounds. Within Christianity there are many different denominations or groups such as Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Lutherans etc. Phone Numbers: Where possible, one of these phone numbers should enable staff to contact you during work hours. You may need to be contacted at short notice, for example, to arrange an interview and difficulties in contacting you could prove disadvantageous. Next of kin: This is the person that Toowoomba Catholic Education would contact in case of an emergency. The person may also be contacted, if you are not able to be contacted. It is important that all your details are kept up to date. Should you change your address or telephone number, please forward in writing to: Karen Badcock, Toowoomba Catholic Education Office, PO Box 756, Toowoomba, Qld, Section 2: Applicant Details Applicant Type: Determine your type from the description provided and mark the appropriate box. Graduate Applicants: Graduate applicants are applicants who have no prior teaching service or whose prior teaching service is less than one year so it does not qualify them for general applicant status. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 3

5 General Applicants: General applicants are applicants who can substantiate, through the provision of documentary or other evidence, that they have successfully completed a minimum of one year of teaching service with a recognised education authority and are eligible for full teacher registration with the Queensland College of Teachers. Teacher Registration: To be eligible to teach in Queensland, you must have registration with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). You should indicate if you are currently registered and include your registration number. Applicants should also state the date when their registration expires. Applicants in their final year of a pre-service teacher education course should apply for registration before their teacher education course is completed. Registration applications will be processed once universities have advised QCT that course requirements have been attained. Evidence of registration (e.g. receipt of payment, or certificate of registration) should be forwarded as soon as it is obtained to: Karen Badcock, Toowoomba Catholic Education Office, PO Box 756, Toowoomba, Qld, Graduates and teachers from other states other than Queensland are required to obtain Provisional registration from QCT to teach in a Queensland school. To enquire about teacher registration, contact: Queensland College of Teachers Telephone: (07) or Toll Free (outside Brisbane) Online enquires: Type of employment sought: Applicants may elect to apply for one or more of these employment types. Full-time: Part-time: Relief: Teachers work for 10 days per fortnight. The entitlements and conditions of Employment are outlined in the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement Diocesan Schools of Queensland 2012 Teachers are employed for a particular number of hours per fortnight. Salary and entitlements apply on a pro-rata basis. Relief teachers can be engaged on an hourly basis, usually during the absence of a teacher on short-term leave. Please indicate in each box what days you are available. You can tick ( ) all boxes for Full time, Part time and Relief teaching. Sector Preference: Please indicate your preference or preferences in each box with a. If you do not wish to be considered for a specific employment category, leave the box blank. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 4

6 Section 3: Additional personal and identification information Education History: You are invited to list the schools you have attended as a student. If you need additional space, please attach a separate page. Previous Employment: Information provided is for the purpose of maintaining administrative records and determining classifications, salary rates and entitlements for eligible employees. Criminal History: All applicants for school based positions are required under Section 9A of the Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986, to disclose information regarding criminal convictions for certain offences. Disclosure is necessary even though it may be possible to legally deny the existence of these offences under the rehabilitation period. This includes, but is not limited to, offences related to drug misuse, offences of a sexual nature, abductions and offences against liberty and morality. Disclosure is required whether the offences were committed in or outside Queensland. Details of criminal convictions should be submitted in an envelope marked Confidential with the application. Checks on criminal convictions of appointees may be conducted to verify the information provided. Medical History: This information is required for the purposes of assisting Catholic Education to assess whether the applicant is able to satisfy the inherent requirements of the position and any workplace adjustments which may be required to support the applicant in their employment. Toowoomba Catholic Education is committed to supporting employee s needs where such needs are able to be accommodated. Eligibility to Work Requirements: Following changes to the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) it is now a criminal offence for a person to knowingly or recklessly: Allow an illegal worker to work Refer an illegal worker for work with another business Illegal workers are non-australian citizens who are working in Australia without a visa or who are in Australia lawfully but working in breach of their visa conditions. All employers have a legal obligation to ensure that all workers who are engaged or have their contracts renewed or extended are checked to ensure that they are an Australian citizen (or have appropriate work entitlements). An individual is eligible to work in Australia if they are: Australian citizens Australian permanent residents New Zealand citizens who entered Australia on a current New Zealand passport Non-Australian citizens holding a valid visa with work entitlements Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 5

7 It is important to note that not all visas allow people to work in Australia. For further information please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website: Under the amended legislation it is not sufficient to simply ask a person if they are an Australian citizen. In order for us to discharge our obligations under the Act a representative from Toowoomba Catholic Education Office must sight one of the following documents: A full Australian birth certificate NB: If you were born in Australia on or after 20 August 1986, in addition to the birth certificate, you will also need to provide evidence that one parent was an Australian citizen or had permanent resident status at the time of your birth. An Australian citizenship certificate A certificate of evidence of citizenship An Australian passport A valid visa with permission to work The following cannot be used as proof of an entitlement to work; A tax file number A driver s licence A Medicare card A bank account Referrals from other employment agencies or labour suppliers References from previous employers Birth Certificate - extract In accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), this information is gathered, and will be retained, for the purpose of complying with the law. Section 4: Recognition of Diversity Catholic Education is committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce that is reflective of the community it serves. Completion of this section is voluntary. A description of each of the terms is provided below: Aboriginal Person: Someone of Aboriginal descent who identifies as an Aboriginal and is accepted as such by the community in which he or she lives. Torres Strait Islander Person: Someone of Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as a Torres Strait Islander and is recognised by the Torres Strait Islander community as such. Person with a disability: Someone with a physical, neurological, sensory, intellectual or psychiatric disability or other condition which has lasted or is likely to last for two years or more. Person from a non-english speaking background: Someone who has migrated to Australia and whose first language is not English or someone who is the child of such a person. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 6

8 Section 5: Teacher Preferences Only indicate those areas for which you wish to be considered for appointment. List the primary and secondary subjects/key learning areas you are formally qualified to teach or in which you have significant and verifiable teaching experience. Applicants for secondary positions must be qualified to teach in more than one subject area. Section 6: Location Preferences Please NOTE: Your employment opportunities are restricted if you are not available for initial diocesan-wide appointment. It is normally a condition of fulltime, continuing employment that teachers work for two years in one of the Western Rural schools of the Toowoomba Diocese at some time during their first four years of employment. The following map indicates locations of Catholic Schools in the Diocese. The Diocese of Toowoomba includes Primary and Secondary Schools within Toowoomba as well as surrounding towns and rural areas as follows: Allora Clifton Quilpie Charleville Highfields Pittsworth Cunnamulla Millmerran Mitchell Roma St George Taroom Chinchilla Tara Goondiwindi Inglewood Stanthorpe Warwick Oakey Dalby To view our schools visit our website: Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 7

9 Comments on preferences: This information is used when considering offers of employment. Please keep your comments brief, abbreviating if necessary. You may note special factors that you would like to have taken into account when considering placements, such as: Preference for a rural or Toowoomba school Preference for a small or large school Interest in Indigenous education Accommodation needs if required to move residence and family (if applicable) Whether your spouse is an employee of Catholic Education Any other relevant circumstances Section 7: Teaching and other relevant employment history Statements of Service: This section of the form is important for applicants with prior teaching service as award classification and salary levels are determined by these details. Timelines apply in relation to the submission and assessment of appropriate statement/s of service. It is an applicant s responsibility to provide the necessary information. Applicants have six (6) months from your initial teaching appointment to ensure that satisfactory statements of service are submitted for classification assessment. Failure to meet this timeline will result in your classification level being increased only from the date of receipt of the final documentation, rather than from the initial appointment date. As per clause of the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement Diocesan Schools of Queensland 2012, the Statement of Service should: a. Be an original or certified copy of an original document; b. Be provided on the official letterhead of the Authority responsible for the employer or an authorised person; c. Specify the position held; d. Specify the period of employment; e. Specify the exact nature of the employment e.g. full-time, part-time, casual, etc. and provide a detailed description of the teaching or other relevant duties performed; f. Detail whether employment was part-time and if so the number of hours paid for the total period of employment; g. Detail whether the employment was casual and if so the total number of hours paid for the total period of employment; h. Indicate any periods of unpaid leave that were taken; and i. Specify whether any leave without pay was taken and the period when this leave without pay occurred. If no periods of leave without pay were taken, the statement must show that no leave without pay was taken. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 8

10 Recognition of Prior Non-Teaching Service and Experience: As per clause 7.2 of the Catholic Employing authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement Diocesan Schools of Queensland This clause applies to all teachers and applicants for the position of teacher In accordance with this clause a teacher, or applicant for the position of teacher, may apply to have prior non-teaching service and experience recognised for the purposes of salary classification. Full-time and part-time service/or experience can be recognised Where an existing employee successfully makes application for the recognition of prior non-teaching service in accordance with this clause, they will be paid at the adjusted rate Any application for recognition of prior non-teaching service and experience must be made in accordance with clause 7.4 of the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement Diocesan Schools of Queensland 2012 (timely notification of qualifications and experience) A teacher or applicant for the position of teacher may seek recognition for multiple categories of prior non-teaching employment in one application Applications for recognition of previous non-teaching service and experience should relate to employment in an area/s relevant to their current teaching role. Recognition will be given only to employment that ceased in the five (5) year period to the date of appointment The five (5) year limitation in clause may be extended by the employer where special circumstances are demonstrated by the teacher or applicant The relevance of the prior non-teaching experience must be demonstrated by the employee and accepted by the employer as being applicable to the current teaching role For the purpose of this clause any prior non-teaching service as an apprentice or trainee will not be recognised as relevant prior service Should prior non-teaching service and experience be recognised for salary classification purposes, any such recognised service will count on the basis of thirty-three per cent (33%). Section 8: Skills and Competencies These include TAFE accredited subjects, sign language, workplace health and safety, foreign languages, first aid, music, coaching and sports. List only those competencies in which you have had some training or significant experience. Section 9: Educational Qualifications Teacher preparation course: Provide the details of the course which qualified you to become a teacher. Attach your most recent practicum teaching reports if you are a graduate applicant. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 9

11 Other tertiary qualifications: Only details of completed qualifications are required unless you are due to complete your course this year. Applicants, who have completed more tertiary qualifications, can add extra lines on the form. Majors: Abbreviate as necessary. Religious Education (RE) Qualifications: If you have completed any units of study as part of your teacher training, then name that course and highlight the units on your transcript of results. Only details of completed qualifications are required unless you are due to complete your course this year. If you have more completed qualifications, please add extra lines on the form. Accreditation: Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School and to Teach Religion in a Catholic School is Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) policies that apply to all dioceses in Queensland. A copy of the policies can be obtained from the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office or from QCEC. These two policies recognise: 1. All staff is responsible for the ethos of the Catholic School. To do this we need time to reflect and we need to be given professional development opportunities to enhance our understanding of theology, spirituality and religious education; 2. All teachers of religious education need to be appropriately qualified. (RE) is an academic subject that, like all other areas of the curriculum require qualifications if it is to be taught with confidence; 3. The rapidly changing nature of our society and the obligation is on all professionals to keep up to date. Summary: 1. Catholic ethos is the responsibility of all staff; 2. RE is an academic subject requiring qualifications; 3. Qualifications need to be kept up to date. The policy requirements (they are minimalist): hours in-service in the areas of theology, religious education, liturgy or spirituality over five years to teach in a Catholic School; 2. An additional 25 hours over five years to teach religion in a Catholic School, can be maintained by similar in-service activities. If you do not already have a basic qualification then you are being asked to attend to that over the next five years. Certificate IV in Christian Ministry & Theology (Foundations I) is one way in which this can be addressed. Teachers who do not have a basic qualification in one or a combination of the following areas religious education, theology, spirituality or liturgy should complete Certificate IV or its equivalent within five years. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 10

12 Please Note: Attendance at Sunday Eucharist, school liturgies and prayers, etc. do not qualify for hours towards accreditation. Attendance at general curriculum in-service activities such as ICT, English, pedagogy etc. does not qualify for hours towards accreditation. These policies, both Accreditations to teach in a Catholic School and to teach Religion in a Catholic School relate to Catholic ethos issues only; the specified areas of these policies are theology, spirituality, religious education and liturgy. Graduates who completed the four units in RE during their study at USQ will also have met this requirement. Graduates who have undertaken their teaching training at ACU will have met this requirement. Section 10: Referee Reports You are required to submit three written referee reports to support your application for employment. The people you nominate should be able to provide detailed comments on your ability in relation to the questions outlined on the Referee Report. For a Religious referee you may nominate your parish priest, minister or representative of your faith community, chaplain, campus minister or staff member of a Catholic School to offer comments on your personal faith, Christian witness and understanding of Catholicism. A Professional referee should be able to offer comments on your teaching, so you can nominate your teacher associate if you are a graduate applicant, or a member of staff at the school, or the principal. You are also invited to nominate someone to provide comments on your Personal qualities. It should be noted that the Toowoomba Catholic Education Office reserves the right to consult previous employers, and any other known past professional associates of applicants as part of its selection process. If you believe that this is likely to cause any difficulty, you are encouraged to bring this concern to the attention of the Director when submitting your application. Section 11: Employment Collection Notice Please read this section carefully prior to signing the declaration that follows. Section 12: Suitability Declaration The Suitability Declaration ensures the most comprehensive and consistent practice is adopted when employing new staff. It is necessary for the protection of our students. Its aim is to minimise the risks of harm to students in the schools throughout our diocese. Please read this section carefully and complete prior to signing. Section 13: Certified Document Checklist Attach certified copies of the following documentary evidence to your application. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. 1. A copy of Qualifications and Award Certificates; 2. A copy of Statement/s of Service Graduate applicants must provide copies of their last two professional experiences (teaching practicum) reports to date; 3. The applicant s birth certificate or a short extract; 4. The applicant s marriage certificate or other documentation (e.g. court order, change of name certificate) to explain changes of name appearing on any of these documents; 5. A copy of the applicant s passport or visa if applicable; 6. The applicant s current certificate of Queensland College of Teachers Registration. NB: if you are a student applicant you will need to provide receipt of payment. 7. Statements of Criminal or Medical History (if applicable) ***Please note that all the above documents are to be certified. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 11

13 Section 14: Application Checklist DO NOT bind your application into a booklet. S1 Application Form Relevant certified documentation listed in Section 13 Cover Letter Please address to The Director Resume/Curriculum Vitae Section 15: Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to be a Catholic to teach in a Catholic school? It is important to Toowoomba Catholic Education Office that the Catholic identity and ethos of each school is maintained. However people who are not Catholic but who would feel at home in a Catholic school environment in which they support and demonstrate a professional commitment and loyalty to the educational, religious and social values of Catholic Education are welcome to apply for positions. What are the requirements for employment as a teacher with Catholic Education in the Diocese of Toowoomba? You must be registered or eligible for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers. Further information is located at Other requirements are detailed in the application package. What is the main purpose of accreditation? The main purpose of accreditation is to encourage and recognise the efforts of teachers to develop and maintain professional skills related to Teaching in a Catholic School and Teaching Religion in a Catholic School. A more detailed rationale for accreditation is set out in the Accreditation Policy of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, July Will I still be employed if I don t meet accreditation requirements? Teachers entering Catholic Education without being accredited to teach in a Catholic school are granted a four/five year period from the commencement at employment to secure their Accreditation. Does this 4/5 year commitment for accreditation need to be at the same school? No, you will need to make a commitment to Catholic Education for the 4/5 years. What is the position of teachers who have not fulfilled the requirements for maintaining their accreditation? Such teachers will be asked for an explanation. Where there is a valid reason for failing to complete the requirements particular commitments will be agreed by negotiation. In cases where there is no valid reason for failing to complete registration other procedures will be put in place. Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 12

14 Do I need to be accredited if I only want to do a few days supply teaching every so often? No, not if you work as a casual/relief teacher. That is, you are employed on an intermittent basis to relieve a teacher absent from duty or to meet a short term staffing need (less than a 4 week contract). I have not completed Student Protect Training in Queensland, may I still apply? It is a requirement that all staff undertake Student Protection Training. You are still able to apply but will have to undertake this training before you can commence work. We can organise this through our office. How long after submitting my application for teacher employment will I receive notification of being registered with Toowoomba Catholic Education Office? This takes approximately working days. Must I only select one option of preferred location or Type of Appointment on the application form? No, you may tick one, several, or all options depending on your individual preference. This applies to all of these areas; e.g. you may choose Full time, Part time, Relief if you wish. Also, you are able to mark all locations for work or simply one or two. May I send in my application if I have not received all of my documentation e.g. Qld College of Teachers registration certificate, teaching degree? You can still forward your application with whatever information you do have, just indicate that your teacher registration or degree is pending, and when you receive it you just need to forward a certified copy onto us to complete your application. Do I need to re-submit my teaching Application every twelve (12) months? To remain registered with our Office you will need to contact us before your 12 months expires to keep your registration active, this can be done verbally over the phone, by or in writing. This also gives our Office the opportunity to update your details if need be. If we receive no contact after the 12 months expires your application will be shredded. Please see contact details below. What assistance/incentives are available if I take up a teaching position in a rural location? We offer incentives such as remote area payments, salary sacrifice for rental accommodation, emergent leave, travel leave and in some instances return airfares. Variations occur depending on the length of service in remote areas. Who can I contact for further information in relation to employment opportunities with Catholic Education in the Diocese of Toowoomba? Please contact: Toowoomba Catholic Education Office Attn: Karen Badcock PO Box 756 Toowoomba Qld Karen.Badcock@twb.catholic.edu.au Phone: Guidelines for Teacher Employment Applications Page 13