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Education Officer – Student Support (Learning Difficulties)
📍 Newcastle West | 🕒 Permanent, Full Time | 🗓 Commencing February 2026
Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking an experienced and compassionate educator to join our system leadership team, supporting schools to better meet the needs of students with learning difficulties and disability.
This role works closely with schools, families and specialist staff to ensure students are well supported, understood and able to thrive in their learning. The Education Officer supports schools to personalise learning, implement effective adjustments and interventions, and build strong inclusive practices across primary and secondary settings.
You will work alongside teachers and school leaders to strengthen understanding of literacy and numeracy development, learning diversity, and inclusive education practices, including multi-tiered systems of support. The role also involves supporting schools to meet their legislative responsibilities and to work collaboratively with families and allied health professionals.
This is an opportunity for an experienced inclusive education leader to make a meaningful difference for students, families and school communities across the Diocese.
The role, Education Officer: Student Support (Learning Difficulties) aims to:
Support school communities in the delivery of quality services for students with learning difficulties / disability, and to plan and implement appropriate adjustments and interventions for those students.
Work collaboratively with the Head of Student Learning and Support, other Education Officers, and Catholic Schools staff in addressing the needs of schools in the Diocese.
Support schools to personalise learning for students with learning difficulties by implementing a multi-tiered system of support.
Ensure that schools are aware of, and work within, disability legislative requirements and obligations for schools.
Deliver professional learning for schools to increase understanding of student learning needs, specifically those who show low progress in literacy or numeracy and to build capacity around appropriate adjustments and interventions.
Respond to student referrals by consulting with teachers, conducting student observations, interpreting school data, administering standardised assessments, reviewing formal reports, attending teacher / parent and student review meetings (as required) and providing feedback and
recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
The Education Officer: Student Support (Learning Difficulties) is responsible to the Director of Catholic Schools
through the Head of Student Learning and Support.
All Education Officers will be supported with ongoing professional learning and networking opportunities to improve their knowledge and professional capacity.
Professional Practice and Development processes for the role of Education Officer: Student Support (Learning Difficulties) will be established in consultation with the Head of Student Learning and Support. These will include feedback mechanisms from the Head of Department and relevant CS staff.
Desired Skills and Experience
EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA
Ability to articulate a clear understanding of and a personal commitment to Catholic education and the mission of the Church through Catholic schools
Possess a comprehensive understanding of relevant educational issues and pedagogy, particularly in relation to students with learning difficulties / disabilities
Extensive experience working with students with Learning Difficulties, K-12.
Ability to support a school-wide approach in responding to students with learning difficulties.
Demonstrated capacity to implement multi-tiered systems of support such as Response to Intervention (RTI).
Sound knowledge of the literacy/numeracy learning hierarchy of skill development as well as identification and assessment processes, personalised planning, curriculum differentiation, adjustments, and programming for students with learning difficulties
Experience in the provision of support during key transition times
Experience working within a system of schools
Working knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, and a sound understanding of the implications for schools
Working knowledge of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) and its implications for schools
Maintain professional knowledge of current best practice and be able to communicate this to schools.
Demonstrated capacity to build relationships, work collaboratively and respectfully within a team environment and with key stakeholders
High level skills and extensive experience in delivering professional learning with the capacity to provide
system leadership in schools
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal, organisational, communication and information technology skills
QUALIFICATIONS
Post graduate qualifications in Special Education / Inclusive Education and extensive teaching
experience
Current NESA Accreditation
Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) number
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Employees Enterprise Agreement 2024
Work in quality schools where students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to excel and grow
A corporate fitness program through Fitness Passport (T&C's apply)
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Training and staff development programs
Paid parental leave for eligible employees
Access to long service leave after just five years for eligible employees.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Kathryn Gillespie, Head of Student Learning and Support on Tel: 02 4979 1248or via email: kathryn.gillespie@mn.catholic.edu.au
TO APPLY, CLICK ON THE APPLY BUTTON BELOW AND
Please provide a cover letter along with your resume
Within your cover letter address each of the selection criteria as listed under EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA above and ensure your response to each criteria is no longer than 300 words.
Please note, not adequately addressing the selection criteria may result in your application not being shortlisted.
Applications for this position will only be considered if submitted through the following platforms: our careers page on our website, mnpeople, Indeed, Seek, or LinkedIn.
Applications close: Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11.59pm
Additional information
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation.
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