Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Principal - Range 5
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong
Reference: 1547440
(a) Vision and values
Demonstrated capacity to create a shared vision, define and gain acceptance of school goals and set and communicate expectations for effective performance.
(b) Teaching and Learning
Demonstrated ability to manage the quality of teaching and create a positive culture of challenge, support and collaboration.
(c) Improvement, Innovation and Change
Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies and lead innovation and change.
(d) Management
Demonstrated capacity to ensure that the school's human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.
(e) Development
Demonstrated capacity to create a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and commitment to their own learning and wellbeing.
(f) Engagement
Demonstrated capacity to develop positive relationships with students, parents/families and the local community and participate in and contribute to system-level activities.
(g) Community Criterion
Demonstrated capacity to maintain Lara Lake Primary School¿s strong culture through presence, collaboration and consultation with the school community.
The role of the principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community.
At the same time, the principal, as executive officer of the school council, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters, that the decisions of the council are implemented and that adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.
The principal is accountable for the overall management and development of the school within statewide guidelines and Government policies. A clear set of accountabilities, which distinguish their work from other members of the Teaching Service and the education community are set out in detail in the contract of employment.
The core accountabilities of all principals are to:
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
Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
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.
To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either:
Lara Lake Primary School is located 15 km north of Geelong and 60 km south-west of Melbourne. The school is in a growing area and has an enrolment of over 900 students in 2026.
The School Vision is 'Creating a world class education where every child is literate, numerate, curious and caring'. The School Values are `Respect, Responsibility and Excellence'. Students, staff, and the community uphold these values to make Lara Lake a great school. At Lara Lake Primary School, we are committed to continuously growing and improving to provide the very best opportunities for every student to learn, thrive and succeed.
We deeply value calm, quiet and supportive learning environments. We aim to create learning spaces where all children can safely access high quality teaching and learning programs, delivered by highly competent teachers.
Our teaching and learning approaches are evidenced based and designed to meet the needs of all students. Our practices are constantly reviewed to ensure that we are providing the highest quality instruction for your child. The school has implemented centralised planning, where high quality curriculum materials are prepared for teachers. All staff have a deep understanding of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0.
Classroom programs are offered alongside a comprehensive specialist program consisting of Visual Arts, Music, Science and Physical Education. There is a whole school focus on social and emotional learning through the implementation of The Resilience Project. This evidence-based program supports students to develop gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy, while building the skills needed to problem solve, work independently and understand themselves and others. Lara Lake aims to develop outstanding citizens and resilient learners who are equipped to thrive both academically and socially.
Facilities are modern and bright, and buildings and features provide a safe and attractive learning environment which will continue to be of the highest standard. Significant capital works to add new buildings and refurbish others have been recently completed. There is a synthetic all-weather oval and a gymnasium which includes 2 music rooms, a canteen, and a full-size basketball court.
The 2026 staff profile comprises 113 staff members, including a Principal, Business Manager, 2 Assistant Principals, 1 Leading Teacher, 5 Learning Specialists, 54 Classroom and Specialist Teachers, 7 Administration staff, and 32 Educational Support staff. There are 41 classrooms.
All employees are obliged to keep up to date with the requirements of mandatory reporting, become familiar with the relevant Child Safe policies and uphold the professional characteristics of adults working with children (e.g. WWCC, VIT).
For further information about the school, please visit: www.laralake.vic.edu.au