Before placement
The University of Melbourne's Master of Teaching is founded in a clinical approach (McLean Davies et al., 2015, 2017; Kameniar et al., 2017; Kriewaldt et al 2017; Ell et al 2018) enabling professional transformation and transformative learning.
The Master of Teaching Clinical Model conceptual framework for Clinical Teaching is seen more broadly as a contribution to developing teaching as a profession, as it offers ways in which theory and practice are integrated in the daily work of teachers. The key to such transformation is praxis: the understanding, enactment and building of theory via practice.
The Melbourne Master of Teaching Clinical Model
There are three components that are central to characterising teaching as a clinical practice profession:
- A focus on student learning and development
- The development of clinical judgement which utilises an evidence base to understand learning needs and inform teaching strategies
- The integration of theory and practice through university-school partnerships that extend beyond the preparation of Teacher Candidates.
As a clinically based pre-service teacher education program, the Master of Teaching aims to develop teachers as interventionist practitioners with high-level analytic skills, who are capable of using data to identify and address the learning needs of individuals.
The role of the teacher as an ‘interventionist practitioner’ is informed by a solid theoretical and research base in learning and development, pedagogy, curriculum and assessment which enables a strengths-based approach to ensure every learner can be successful.
Teacher Candidates will attend a compulsory seminar before the start of each placement and have the option of attending two 'drop-in' seminars during placement. The seminars focus on issues concerning quality in teaching and linking theory to practice. The content of sessions two and three, held during placement, will vary according to cohort needs.
The seminars provide Teacher Candidates with opportunities to examine pedagogic frameworks concerning instructional processes and student-centered learning. Practical tasks completed in placement settings will be discussed and evaluated.
Teacher Candidates will be encouraged to examine how aspects of their placement setting relate explicitly to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level). The seminar program also systematically draws on work from university subjects throughout the course and explores how the content informs the decisions teachers make in their classroom teaching.
Seminar program overview
Seminar No & Title | When/How | Content | |
Placement 1 Seminar 1: Preparing for your first placement | Preparation Day On Campus |
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Placement 1 Seminars 2 and 3 | Optional Weeks: Online | ||
Placement 2 Seminar 1: | Preparation Day On Campus |
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Placement 2 Seminars 2 and 3 | Optional Weeks: Online | ||
Placement 3 Seminar 1: Learning intervention for success | Preparation Day On Campus |
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Placement 3 Seminars 2 and 3 | Optional Weeks: Online | ||
| Early Childhood & Primary stream | |||
Placement 4 Seminar 1: | Preparation Day On Campus |
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| Placement 4 Seminars 2 and 3: | Optional Weeks: Online | ||
All Teacher Candidates are placed in schools or early childhood centres registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (or equivalent state authority in which the school is located if the placement is interstate).
Teacher Candidates are placed within the network of FoE partner schools by the Professional Experience Team and are not permitted to arrange their own placement. The only exception to this rule is when a Teacher Candidate is employed at a school under Permission to Teach (PTT) registration, has gained the approval of their school principal and has completed a PTT Placement Declaration Form.
This is to ensure an equitable approach to placement allocation across the cohort, as well as to protect and strengthen our relationships with our partner schools and centres.
Teacher Candidates are placed in accordance with the Placement Operating Guidelines. The following points are of particular importance:
- Teacher Candidates are expected to travel up to 60 minutes by car or 90 minutes by public transport to their placement school/centre.
- Teacher Candidates are not placed in a school/centre they attended and/or had a close relationship with within the last five years, unless employed under PTT
- Teacher Candidates are not placed in a school/centre at which they are currently employed in any capacity unless employed under PTT
- Teacher Candidates are not placed in a school/centre at which their children, siblings or other relatives are currently enrolled, or in a school/centre at which a relative is employed unless employed under PTT
- Teacher Candidates cannot arrange for their children to be placed in the same school/centre as themselves during their practicum
- Placement dates are set in advance and absences for work, job interviews or other commitments are not permitted
- Teacher Candidates cannot be paid for their work at the school/centre on placement unless employed under PTT.
Where circumstances require, for the first and second placements, Teacher Candidates may be placed in pairs with the same Mentor Teacher(s). The two Teacher Candidates in the paired placement will still need to meet the core placement requirements, including teaching/observation hours which may include team teaching as a pair.
Teacher Candidates must inform the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1 of any relevant changes to their circumstances, including for example changes to their address, four to six weeks prior to the start of a placement for it to be factored into the allocation process.
Teacher Candidates can be placed in any suitable setting in keeping with the requirements of the Placement Operating Guidelines.
Should a Teacher Candidate decline their practicum offer, they risk a fail grade being registered for their corresponding subject.
The Victorian Government’s Department of Justice requires anyone working or volunteering with children to meet a minimum checking standard. This is also a University of Melbourne requirement for all relevant staff and students. The Working with Children Check (WWCC) helps to protect children from sexual or physical harm by checking a person's criminal history for serious sexual, violence or drug offences and findings from professional disciplinary bodies. Information is available on the Victorian Working with Children website.
All Teacher Candidates must supply evidence of a current WWCC to the Faculty of Education before the commencement of their first placement. This can be uploaded via the Teacher Candidate’s Sonia portal.
Teacher Candidates must also supply a copy of their WWCC to each placment school they attend prior to attending any classes or assemblies. Should the WWCC be due to expire, Teacher Candidates must provide evidence of an updated WWCC to the Faculty of Education prior to expiry.
As a volunteer, Teacher Candidates do not need to pay for the WWCC. Teacher Candidates should see their course site on the Canvas LMS for organisation details needed on the application form. If Teacher Candidates already have a current WWCC, they should update their details on the Service Victoria website to include the Faculty of Education (FOE).
Teacher Candidates are advised to take the following protective measures regarding their own health while on placement:
- Ensure immunisation against Hepatitis, Measles, Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Rubella is up to date
- Ensure that they are physically healthy during the placement
- Take particular care with personal hygiene while on placement
- Follow any COVID-19 requirements that are in place by the placement setting.
Declaring a medical condition
Teacher Candidates should take responsibility for their health and well-being and declare any illness that may affect their placement.
We strongly encourage candidates to complete the University's Medical Questionnaire (available as a form in the Sonia portal) for off-campus activities, should they have any medical condition that may impact their placement. It has been designed to assist in the event of an accident or emergency. Please submit this form at least one week before placement commences.
To have a physical or medical condition factored into the placement allocation process, please register for an Academic Adjustment Plan and advise the Professional Experience team when this has been granted.
What is the medical questionnaire?
The Medical questionnaire for off-campus activities is to inform the University of any physical or medical conditions, which may affect students' comfort or safety, or the safety of others during travel and/or an off-campus activity. This information is designed to assist in the event of an accident or emergency. Students can view further information about fieldwork and travel safety.
Pre-placement
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Placement allocations are released two weeks before a placement is scheduled to begin. Placement details will not be visible in SONIA if you do not have a valid Working with Children Check.
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Applications are made through WWCC Victoria’s website You can only apply when in Australia.
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Please update your WWCC via SONIA => Forms => Checks => Working with Children Check. You may supply a scan/photo of your card, or the approval email from WWCC Victoria.
You will receive an email within 5 business days to advise if your check has been cleared or if further information is required. If you are unable to upload your WWCC online, please contact the Professional Experience & Partnerships Team.
In your request, please include an image of your WWCC, ensuring that it is either in JPEG or PDF format to avoid any delays to securing a placement.
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Placement dates are set in advance and Teacher Candidates are expected to follow the standard placement schedule. In the case of limited availabilities for your learning area, Teacher Candidates may be required to undertake a delayed placement. Teacher Candidates are not allowed to request an alternative placement schedule due to work commitments or holiday purposes.
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No. Teacher Candidates are not to contact placement settings regarding potential placement unless you are employed under PTT and have adhered to the process outlined in the Placement Operating Guidelines.
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Teacher Candidates cannot be placed in a setting where they have previously worked within the last five years unless they are employed under PTT and have adhered to the process outlined in the Placement Operating Guidelines.
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No, you cannot be placed in a setting where you are currently working unless you are employed under PTT and have adhered to the process outlined in the Placement Operating Guidelines.
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You may not be placed in a placement setting where you have attended as a student within the last five years unless you are employed under PTT and have adhered to the process outlined in the Placement Operating Guidelines
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No, you cannot be placed in a setting where your children/siblings/close relatives are currently enrolled or employed unless you are employed under PTT and have adhered to the process outlined in the Placement Operating Guidelines.
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Placement dates are set in advance and absences for work, job interviews or other work commitments are not permitted.
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Teacher Candidates are expected to travel up to 90 minutes by public transport or car to their placement setting. This is calculated using Google Maps’ directions from the Teacher Candidate’s given address, with an arrival time of approximately 8:30am. Evening travel times may be different. In cases where there is limited availability for certain learning areas, travel times may be greater.
Teacher Candidates can be placed at any suitable setting in keeping with requirements in this policy. Should a Teacher Candidate decline their placement offer, they may not be re-placed and a fail grade will be registered for them for the corresponding subject.
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Please contact your Clinical Specialist as soon as possible.
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Please make sure you inform us of this on your My Details page of Soniaas soon as possible. If your circumstances change, please advise the Professional Experience Team immediately.
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Placements are generally sought throughout metropolitan Melbourne; however, placements may be allocated in rural or regional settings where Teacher Candidates can access the setting within the travel guidelines, or as part of a Department of Education and Training funded rural/regional placement program.
Where a Teacher Candidate lives outside of metropolitan Melbourne and cannot reach relevant settings within the guidelines, it will not apply.
The Placements Team will locate placements in the nearest areas of Melbourne to the TC’s address, or in central areas located around the University.
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Yes, providing an alternative address along with your primary address will increase your chances of securing a placement. You can provide an alternative address to the Professional Experience Team by updating your details in SONIA Links to an external site. > My Details > Other > Second Address
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FoE does not generally allow Teacher Candidates to undertake international placement unless there are mitigating circumstances. If you do wish to be considered for an offshore placement then please contact the Professional Experience Team.
For those Teacher Candidates who are very keen to experience working in an international school then there are opportunities as part of the WIL Capstone to apply for a project in an international school.
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Teacher Candidates are expected to undertake their placement in metropolitan Melbourne. Interstate placements need to be approved and there needs to be extenuating circumstances as to why you cannot undertake a placement within Victoria.
If an interstate placement is approved, these are to be sourced by the student, as the Professional Experience Team cannot source interstate placements. If you need to apply to undertake an interstate placement, please contact the Professional Experience Team.
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To have a physical or medical condition factored into the placement allocation process, please register for an Academic Adjustment Plan.
If you would like to notify the University of a medical condition that does not impact the placement allocation process, but is important for staff to know in the case of an emergency, or for temporary support on placement, please complete the Medical Questionnaire in your Sonia portal, at least one week before placement commences.
Student Teachers must also keep their emergency contact details up to date via the admin tab in the Student Portal (my.unimelb.edu.au).
On-placement
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When illness or emergencies prevent attendance, Teacher Candidates should telephone the Student Teacher Coordinator or nominated staff member and the Clinical Specialist before the teaching day commences.
Absences during a placement must be made up before commencing a subsequent placement and before a grade can be awarded. Make-up days must be negotiated between the Teacher Candidate, Mentor Teacher, and Clinical Specialist. A medical certificate or other appropriate documentation should be provided to the Student Teacher Coordinator and Clinical Specialist for any absence along with written advice of the agreed make-up days.
Any changes to a Teacher Candidate’s placement schedule must be approved in writing by the Clinical Practice Coordinator. Once approved, visit the Forms tab in Sonia and select the 'Placement Absence Form' from the drop-down menu at the top of the page and click Add. Complete the form with the approved make-up days and other information.
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Please contact your Clinical Specialist as soon as possible.
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Feeling uncertain about your placement is not uncommon, and it's important to address any concerns you may have. Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do if you're considering ending your placement:
- Contact your Clinical Specialist and Cc your Clinical Practice Coordinator in the first instance (or Subject Coordinator for those enrolled in the pre-2022 course): Your Clinical Specialist and Coordinator are there to support you throughout your placement. Reach out to them as soon as possible to discuss your feelings and concerns. They can provide appropriate guidance and support, while also exploring possible solutions to address issues that may arise. Be aware that ceasing a placement risks one not being able to meet this important hurdle requirement and therefore extending the duration of one’s course.
- Contact the Professional Experience team by Stop1: If after discussing your situation with your Clinical Specialist you still wish to end your placement, submit a ticket with the Professional Experience team. This ensures that the appropriate administrative steps are taken.
- Inform your Student Teacher Coordinator and Mentor Teacher: Once you've raised a ticket, it's important seek advice from your Clinical Specialist on how best to inform your Student Teacher Coordinator and Mentor Teacher about your decision or whether they would be best placed to communicate with the school/site on your behalf. Your Clinical Specialist may advise you on what to include in your message to ensure clarity and professionalism. Our capacity to maintain existing relationships with external stakeholders is vital in ensuring that future TCs are able to be placed in a timely manner with our preferred partners.
Remember, ending a placement is a significant decision, and it's essential to consider all options and seek support from your Clinical Specialist and relevant stakeholders before taking any steps.
General
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- Follow these instructions to update the address you will be residing at during placement. Upon completion of these steps, your address will also be automatically updated in SONIA.
- Please ensure you update your Contact Address not the Home Address.
- Please refer to Question 15 in the “Pre-Placement FAQs” if you would like to update your secondary/alternative address.
- Follow these instructions to update the address you will be residing at during placement. Upon completion of these steps, your address will also be automatically updated in SONIA.
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Placement dates for the upcoming academic year are located on your course community Canvas/LMS site.
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No, Teacher Candidates are not paid whilst on placement unless you are employed under PTT.
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Please submit an enquiry here.
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Please contact the Professional Experience Team. In your request, you must include:
- Your name and student ID number
- The course you have completed, including stream (i.e., early childhood, primary, secondary)
- The year of completion
Placement Summary Letters take around five working days to prepare after your request has been received. The letter will be emailed to your university email address, or other address as nominated if you have completed your studies.
Delays can occur if:
- You do not submit the required information
- Your request is for study before 2018
Placement Summary Letters cannot be produced for:
- Years prior to 2005
- Any failed placement subjects
- Any elective subjects that included a placement in a school or early childhood setting.
Please note: Placement summary letters may be used for AITSL skill assessments. Please contact Stop 1 for an academic transcript should you require proof of placement for employment purposes.
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Visit the Working with Children Check application page and read the information provided. Fill in the online application form. Don’t forget to apply as a volunteer to avoid any fees. When you come to the ‘Organisation Details’ section, provide the following information:
- Name: Faculty of Education
- Address: Kwong Lee Dow Building, 234 Queensberry Street
- Suburb: The University of Melbourne
- State: Vic Postcode: 3010
- Phone: (03) 8344 0926
- Code Number: 52 Educational – Other institutions providing children’s study or training programs.
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Once you have updated your volunteer WWCC to an employee WWCC, the volunteer check will no longer be valid. You must send us and your placement organisation a copy of your new card. If you have not yet received the new card, you must send us and your placement organisation your employee WWCC application number and then a copy of the card as soon as it arrives.
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Please contact the Professional Experience Team via Stop 1 with evidence (i.e. email from the site requesting a NCC) that an NCC is required. Further instructions will be provided on how to obtain a check.