Guidelines for Management and Organisation in Schools
Always have available
When teaching in a Victorian school you are required to carry your current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration card with you at all times.
Professional Obligations
You are expected to follow the lesson plan left by the classroom teacher. It is also expected that you leave a record of your day's activities. Use the Lesson Planner provided under the Relief Teachers section of our website. You should enquire about any students with special needs that you will come into contact with during your lessons. This includes children who suffer from medical and behavioural conditions.
Dress Expectations
Teachers are required to wear clean, neat and tidy attire, appropriate to the professional work environment for teachers. Tracksuits and other specialist attire are only appropriate for Physical Education and Sports appointments. Your professional image impacts on your relationship with staff and students.
Electronic Devices
Under no circumstances should mobile phones, ipods, MP3 players, laptop computers or any other electronic device be used while you are teaching or on duty. Mobile phones should be switched to silent.
Recreational Reading
Under no circumstances should you engage in reading of any material not associated with the work set for the class. This includes newspapers, magazines, and personal books.
Smoke Free Environment
All schools in Victoria are smoke free environments.
Be Punctual
We advise that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your commencement time. This enables you to prepare well, especially for an unfamiliar placement. Where possible, leave no earlier than 15 minutes following the conclusion of the day. The Daily Organiser will provide a folder of school information; ensure that you familiarise yourself thoroughly with this document. The teacher next door may also be a valuable source of information and assistance as well.
Yard Duty
Generally a CRT will receive yard duty, so it is wise to confirm each school's different expectations.
Sun Smart
Expect schools to be "Sun Smart". Have a wide brimmed hat (no cap) available for yard duty as well. Remain vigilant and use common sense when on yard duty. Repsect your Duty of Care.
Emergencies
Be aware of the school's emergency procedures and evacuation areas. Become familiar with the layout of the school, particularly entrances and exits.
Lesson Preparation
Observe professional courtesies in photocopier usage. Photocopying class activity sheets is time-consuming and should not be done immediately prior to the commencement of a lesson.
Classoom Hints
Always act and communicate in a caring, dignified, purposeful and professional manner. Always have available a selection of suitable tasks, worksheets or activities in case the regular lesson plan is not available to you.
Adhere to the school and classroom protocols permitting children to leave the room for whatever reason. It may be a requirement to complete the class roll.
Classroom Management
Consistency in classroom management is good teaching practice.
Avoid sarcasm, intimidation or physical contact with any child.
If agreement or resolution with a student, colleague or parent is difficult for you to achieve, or if you are confronted by a hostile or hurt student, parent or colleague, then you should seek the assistance of a member of staff as quickly as possible.
Be aware of the school's policy on Information and Communication Technologies.
Ensure that the classroom is always left tidy and secure.
Medical Attention to Students
Seek advice from the Daily Organiser as to the school's protocol on the treatment of injured or ill students.
Make yourself aware of particular students in your class with special medical requirements.
The TNTA Daily Planner
Ensure that you retain a validated copy of each of your teaching days, perhaps including samples of student activity and learning. Our Lesson Planner is also expected to become increasingly important to provisionally registered teachers to help demonstrate satisfactory performance towards Full VIT registration.
Maintaining a portfolio of work as evidence of planning, reporting and recording will demonstrate good teaching practice and is a vital tool for provisionally registered teachers intending to apply for Full VIT registration. These requirements are outlined in the Professional Standards of the VIT.