Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Assistant Principal - Range 1
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference: 1506093
Karoo Primary School, established in 1992, is located in Rowville. In 2025 our enrolment is 420, with 20 classrooms and a number of specialist learning spaces. Our staffing structure includes full-time and part-time teaching staff, ES support and administration staff. Our 2025 staff consists of one Principal and two Assistant Principals (Teaching/ Learning and Wellbeing/Inclusion). We have three Learning Specialists; the focus of their work is Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. Classroom programs are designed to support individual needs and are enriched by our specialist programs which include Physical Education, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, LOTE (Mandarin), Media & Technology and Science. Wellbeing interventions (Anxiety and Worry / Social Skills / Growth mindset / Grief and Loss) and literacy intervention (LEAP - Literacy Enrichment Assistance Program) are also implemented at the school which support the Structured literacy approach we have embedded from Foundation based on the Science of Reading. Identified students participate in the High Ability Program, facilitated by a designated leader. Our students are also supported by professional and dedicated staff who encourage and provide opportunities for all students to achieve their personal excellence.
Vision
'Karoo Primary School fosters an inclusive community that values strong connections, nurtures curiosity, sets high expectations and empowers every learner to grow with confidence and purpose.'
Values
Karoo Primary School's school values are Kindness, Personal Excellence and Tenacity.
Teaching and Learning
Karoo PS staff use a KPS Instructional Model, which includes a focus on Learning Intentions and Success Criteria, explicit teaching, application of learning and reflection on learning. A key focus of our teaching and learning is the effective use of Learning Walks and Talks across all year levels and specialist programs. The past few years have had a Writing AIP focus to provide Professional Learning to improve our teaching instruction for Writing through using the 6+1 Writing Traits. From 2022 to 2024 we have a Reading AIP focus, supporting structured literacy practices across the school. In 2025, Term 1 we completed our School review and our current SSP Goals for 2025-2026 are:
Optimise the learning growth of all students
Optimise student engagement and wellbeing
Our current Professional Learning teams are English, Mathematics and Wellbeing. The Respectful Relationships Program supports our whole school Wellbeing Program (Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships). We have embedded Restorative Practices across the school through our partnership with Real Schools. Strong student voice has resulted in a wellbeing dog (Archie) being part of our Karoo community. To support and continue to enhance wellbeing at Karoo SWPBS was introduced in 2025.
High quality specialist programs enhance and support students to explore their interests and talents. Our students participate in weekly Physical Education, Performing and Visual Arts and Media and Technology lessons. Our year 3-6 students participate in science lessons with a designated teacher. All students participate in Chinese (Mandarin).
Karoo fosters both sporting and arts programs by offering opportunities for students to represent the school in district and regional sports competitions. Student participation in the school choir, instrumental music lessons and `State Schools Spectacular¿ are well supported and enjoyed by our students.
Our outdoor education program is available for students in Years 3 to Year 6. Adventure camps are the focus for students in Years 3, 4 and 6. Our Year 5 students participate in an urban camp in the City of Melbourne. Our staff compliment learning programs by organising a range of incursions and excursions, these provide insightful experiences for the students.
We have a supportive School Council who actively participate in a range of sub committees. School Council is responsible for the effective organisation and daily running of our Outside School Hours Care Program. School Council, Karoo Parents Association and Karoo Class Reps Programs positively contribute to the establishment of developing a positive partnership between home and school. There is a very strong sense of community at Karoo which is clearly evident in whole school events and fundraising activities. We value the home/school partnership and use a range of communication tools to keep parents informed. Compass is used as a communication platform to connect with our school community.
Student leadership is strong at Karoo; we have appointed Year 6 captains who undertake a range of responsibilities throughout the school. The school and student voice captains assist with the running of the fortnightly assemblies. Other captains assist in the Physical Education, The Arts, Library, Mandarin and Science and Wellbeing programs. Year 6 Captains participate in student leadership lessons across the year with a dedicated teacher supporting the development of their leadership skills.
To further support students to build leadership skills prior to Year 6, we commence leadership development with our younger students. The PLAY Leaders Program provides opportunities for appointed students in Year 5 to undergo training in leadership skills to organise and facilitate play activities for students, with a focus on creating a positive environment for our students. Our year 3 and year 4 students take part in our Intergenerational Program where they are leaders in supporting the learning of our local kindergartens and engage with our local retirement residents in meaningful activities.
Karoo Primary School is set amongst inviting and attractive facilities. Our students have a range of places for outdoor play including 3 playgrounds, sandpit for the younger students, a designated prep play area, grass playing areas, active and passive areas, 3 basketball courts and a turf athletics track which will be upgraded early 2024. Our well-maintained learning spaces also include a gymnasium, multi-use space, art room, music room and science room. A well-resourced library is a feature of our school; students at Karoo enjoy opportunities to visit the library at lunchtimes and during their weekly library lesson.
KSC 1 Educational Leadership
Highly developed skills in leading and managing change including the leadership of others in the process of change.
KSC 2 Financial, managerial and administrative ability
Outstanding financial, organisational and resource management skills.
KSC 3 Planning, policy and program development and review
Exemplary values appropriate to the development of student learning with a demonstrated capacity to achieve high quality student outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to implement Department policies at a high level.
KSC 4 Leadership of staff and students
A highly developed capacity to motivate staff, develop their talents and build an effective team.
A clear capacity to foster a learning environment that takes account of the individual needs of students and helps students to develop their special abilities and talents.
KSC 5 Interpersonal and communication skills
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual, small group and community contexts.
Exemplary values pertaining to personal qualities of objectivity, sensitivity and integrity.
An ability to work with parents and the community to develop a strong learning environment.
KSC 6 Academic Growth
Demonstrated ability to utilise evidence-based practices to drive continuous improvement in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment across the school.
Highly developed capability to lead both staff and middle leaders to develop their ability to monitor and improve student learning growth outcomes.
The assistant principal reports directly to the principal.
Assistant principals have a primary responsibility for the management of significant areas or functions within the school to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. In exercising the responsibility, assistant principals will have the authority to make all significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the school's strategic plan, policies and budget. Assistant principals will contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making.
The management of significant school program or functional areas in schools involve assistant principals in the analysis of the needs of students and the translation of state educational policy and frameworks into appropriate education programs to meet the needs of all students.
Typically assistant principals will be responsible for the effective use of the teaching staff and program budget of a defined area of the school's operation and for the oversight and leadership of the educational programs provided utilising these resources.
Typically, assistant principals perform one or more of the following functions:
Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
If you have any questions regarding the position, please call Courtney Hoffmann on 03 9759 6222.
Karoo Primary School's AIP & Strategic Plan are available on our website.
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.