Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 2
Occupation: Land, asset, resources and facilities management
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1509885
Kingswood Primary School is located in an attractive, quiet residential area of Dingley Village. We have 542 students (24 classes). The school's educational philosophy is based around the concept of laying the `Foundations for Success¿ and making a `Positive Difference¿ to the lives of every student. To achieve this, it is important to discover the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can discover their true passion.
Kingswood is a Habits of Mind School. Habits of Mind are dispositions that are skilfully and mindfully employed by intelligent people when confronted with challenges. Kingswood implements 'Visible Thinking' protocols from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Habits of Mind and Visible Thinking are strategies that assist students to problem solve, become more intelligent and successful students and adults in later years. We are extremely passionate about developing the thinking skills of our students so that they will be successful throughout their lives. Kingswood is also a model Professional Learning Community (PLC) school. Kingswood provides numerous opportunities for colleagues from across the region to come view our practices in action.
Kingswood's Brand is engaging, innovative and caring in everything we do to cultivate a great teaching and learning environment. At Kingswood we value that:
1. We are here for the students
2. Lead the way
3. Thrive in a team culture
4. A place to shine
5. Connected to community
Kingswood Primary has flexible teaching spaces, allowing us to design a curriculum that meets the needs of learners who are thinkers. Students are provided various entry and exit points to support learning in all curriculum areas by using the gradual release model. Students have the latest technology such as Chromebooks, MacBooks, iPads and interactive TVs in every classroom. The school is a leader in innovative technology and proudly provides specialist programs in Science, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Japanese and Physical Education that all complement class programs.
Further opportunities for our students are provided through a range of support and extension programs. Students are given opportunities to participate in a range of extra-curricular programs including adventure camps, swimming programs and numerous sporting activities. We offer a school developed Japan Study Tours for Year 5 and 6 students every two years.
Kingswood is a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden school. Students are introduced to the pleasures of preparing, cooking and eating a variety of foods they have grown in the garden. We even have our own free-range chickens and fresh eggs are collected daily.
SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks, including coordinating and supporting others in respect to specific work functions relevant to the role.
SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.
SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.
SC4 Possess the technical knowledge and expertise relevant to the position.
SC5 Demonstrated capacity to provide advice and support to management and other school staff in respect to the work area.
SC6 A commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
A role at this range may include:
An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.
The Garden Specialist has overall responsibility for planning and maintaining the garden, and also plans and conducts weekly garden classes in which students learn about growing produce for a kitchen (among many other things!).
- Plan weekly garden classes, ensuring they are applicable to all participating age groups. This involves preparing up to five activities per class, creating a syllabus and preparing materials.
- Facilitate garden classes with the aid of the classroom teacher assisting with behavioural issues.
- Involve classroom teachers and students in the development of the curriculum
through formal and informal discussions.
- Plan the planting of the vegetable garden and involve the students in the process.
- Plan any development of the vegetable garden infrastructure ¿ incorporating
the pre-existing vision ¿ and involve the school community in the process.
- Assist with documentation of the project by recording comments on classes,
collecting worksheets, class surveys, photographic documentation, weekly records etc.
- Be resourceful about obtaining items needed for the garden ¿ receive donations when possible, scavenge(!) or purchase within budget guidelines.
- Work in the garden doing general gardening tasks like weeding, pest control
and completing jobs not finished by students, as well as maintaining equipment.
- Communicate any maintenance matters to Principal.
- Coordinate and support garden volunteers, compile and update volunteer
information, help coordinate volunteer events, advertise for volunteers and
respond to interest from potential volunteers.
- Liaise with the wider community and nurture relationships with those donating goods to the kitchen garden.
- Identify and facilitate fundraising opportunities such as coordinating the selling of seeds, seedlings and excess produce at a suitable outlet, e.g. school market.
- Liaise with the Kitchen Specialist on a weekly basis to inform them what can be harvested immediately and in the future to inform menu planning.
- Consult with the Kitchen Specialist regarding their produce requests.
- Liaise with the Kitchen Specialist and Kitchen Garden Coordinator on ways to integrate the learning in the garden with the learning in the kitchen.
- Harvest produce for kitchen classes
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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
Attributes and experience required
You will:
1. Be an enthusiastic and passionate vegetable gardener
2. Have a sound knowledge of food cycles and seasonal planting
3. Have proven experience cultivating a wide range of edible plants
4. Have proven experience managing and maintaining an edible garden
5. Have a practical understanding of organic gardening
6. Be able to work alone and be self-directed and motivated
7. Have good time-management skills
8. Have good organisational and record keeping skills
9. Have creative ability to prepare stimulating activities and class plans
10. Have basic IT familiarity
11. Have proven experience working with children