Help young people Thrive, Achieve, and Belong.

At Berry Street School, you’ll work with young people who have experienced trauma, disruption and disadvantage, and help them rediscover safety, connection and a belief in their own potential.

You won’t just teach the curriculum.

You’ll rebuild trust.

You’ll create belonging.

You’ll open doors to futures that once felt out of reach.

• Full-time, Permanent role
• Ballarat Campus on Wadawurrung Country
• $125K plus Super + Salary Packaging

About Us

Berry Street is one of Australia’s largest child and family service organisations, supporting over 35,000 children, young people and families across Victoria each year.

Berry Street School is a specialist independent secondary school that supports students at risk of disengaging from education.

We offer:

• Years 7–10 adapted Victorian Curriculum
• Years 11–12 VCE VM and VPC

Our classrooms are small, flexible and deeply relational. Our work is grounded in the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM), trauma-informed practice and strong partnerships with families and support services, ensuring learning is safe, relational and responsive to each young person’s needs.

As a Lead Teacher

As a Lead Teacher, you will champion the creation of safe, inclusive and trauma‑informed learning environments where all students feel valued, capable and connected. You will design and deliver engaging, individualised learning programs that support academic growth, wellbeing and the development of personal strengths.

You will apply the Berry Street Education Model to enhance engagement, regulate learning readiness and build resilience across the campus. Through modelling best practice, coaching colleagues and contributing to curriculum planning, assessment and reporting, you will help ensure consistent, high‑quality teaching and learning for every student.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to support each young person’s educational and wellbeing journey. You will contribute to the broader leadership and management of the campus and uphold state and national teaching requirements, including the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APSTs).

Your work will reflect deep professional integrity, a commitment to equity and an unwavering focus on creating the conditions in which all students can thrive.

About you

You are:

• A registered teacher who prioritises relationships as the foundation of effective learning.
• Reflective, highly skilled and grounded in trauma‑informed, strengths‑based practice.
• Calm and solutions‑focused in complexity, compassionate and steady under pressure.
• Motivated by purpose, impact and growth—not simply performance measures.
• Deeply committed to inclusion, child safety, equity and culturally responsive practice.

What You’ll Receive

• Full Berry Street Education Model training
• Coaching, reflective supervision and professional growth
• Salary packaging (up to $15,900 + meals/accommodation)
• 10 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and well-being supports
• A team that has your back and a culture that genuinely cares

Our Commitment

Berry Street is a child-safe, inclusive organisation. We actively welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Apply Now

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter by Sunday 22nd February, 2026.

• Contact Shaun O'Loughlin, Assistant Principal on 📞0498 290 234 for further information on the role.
• If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact Bonnie Pietsch, Talent Acquisition Partner, who will be happy to assist you 📞 03 9421 9371

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check and Worker Care Exclusion Scheme if applicable.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.