Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher
Occupation: Classroom teacher
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1506635
The Kitchen Garden Teacher at our school will work together, with classroom teachers and specialist staff to deliver a high quality kitchen program that excites and engages the children.
The Kitchen Garden Teacher employed is to engage the curiosity of the young students in appreciating and valuing nutritious food. Students will learn how and when to harvest food crops from the schools productive garden and how to prepare it easily and enjoyably.
The Kitchen Garden Teacher will engage the classroom teachers, the canteen manager, the parents and the community in this program. Successful applicants will have a desire to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of the school community.
Plan and develop a planting schedule and future harvest timetable for the productive garden, liaising and working in partnership with the Leadership Team and Specialist Team.
Effectively manage the Kitchen-Garden budget.
Liaise with the Curriculum Coordinator about ways to integrate learning in the kitchen with learning in the garden.
Plan weekly lessons as part of the kitchen-garden program, reflecting a sequence in developing skills and techniques of students across the school.
Be aware of and cater for allergies within the program, adhering to OH&S requirements.
Maintain and monitor equipment needs. Communicate any maintenance or replacement matters to the school office or Principal.
Actively promote the Kitchen and Productive Garden Program in the school community through newsletters, website and notices.
Liaise with staff to support classroom curriculum links.
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for 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
Please ensure that your application includes:
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
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.
Deer Park North is located in the outer western suburbs of Melbourne and serves a culturally diverse community. It has an enrolment of around 300 students.
The school priorities and initiatives in the current School Strategic Plan are supported by the following School Programs:
English
Mathematics
Science & Sustainability Program
Auslan Languages Program
Visual Arts
Performing Arts
Physical Education and Health
Inquiry Learning
Kitchen/Garden Program
Swimming and camping programs
Respectful Relationships
Student Leadership and House System
The school is organised into professional learning teams: Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, Years 3/4 and Years 5/6. The curriculum program focuses strongly on the development of literacy and numeracy skills. The Victorian Curriculum is taught through student centred units of inquiry. Learning Technologies are integrated into the classroom programs through use of use of laptops/iPads.
High importance is placed on the provision of a calm and caring learning environment that promotes a strong sense of belonging. The school community is committed to its core values of being Respectful, Resilient, Empathetic and Your Best. These values are embedded in the life of the school and form the basis upon which our school culture is built.
The DPN Community Hub, based at the school, has provided a focal point for our school community and support and assistance to families in connecting to a range of services.
1. Demonstrated expertise in garden and kitchen-based learning
Proven ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate hands-on lessons in gardening and cooking which include planting and maintaining the school¿s productive garden and harvesting produce for use in the kitchen.
2. Capacity to integrate curriculum into authentic learning experiences
Ability to design engaging programs that meaningfully reinforce Victorian Curriculum outcomes across literacy, numeracy, science, sustainability, cultural studies, and other learning domains through garden and kitchen activities.
3. Commitment to promoting health, wellbeing, and positive food habits
Demonstrated understanding of the importance of healthy eating and a proven capacity to encourage students to explore and try new foods, fostering lifelong positive food choices.
4. Ability to foster social, emotional, and teamwork skills in students
Experience creating an inclusive, collaborative learning environment where students build confidence and experience success through shared responsibilities and hands-on tasks.
5. Knowledge and understanding of sustainability and environmental education
Strong understanding of environmental concepts including food security, waste reduction, sustainable gardening practices, and the environmental impacts of food choices, with the ability to communicate these effectively to primary-aged students.
6. Strong communication and community engagement skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with students, staff, and families, including the ability to promote the kitchen and garden program within the school community and involve volunteers, local partners, or families where appropriate