Department of Education Victoria – Taradale VIC

Taradale Primary School is on the lookout for an amazing gardening specialist for our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden programme.

The position is for two days per week. Horticultural qualifications are desirable.

The successful applicant will oversee the garden component of the programme and work with school classes each week.

Taradale Primary School is a small community school, located midway between Kyneton and Castlemaine that has been educating the students of Taradale and surrounding areas since 1855 - making it one of the oldest schools in the state. The school consists of five classrooms across three buildings, a staffroom and an office area, a large multipurpose building housing our art and cooking classes as well as wellbeing and meeting rooms and outbuildings including our student woodwork workshop, storage areas and sundry spaces. The classrooms offer flexible learning spaces currently configured as five general classrooms.

The school benefits from large well-maintained grounds. The grounds contain an oval, a multipurpose basketball court, two adventure playgrounds, undercover areas, a large Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden, multiple treed, landscaped gardens and outdoor learning spaces.
Enrolments have remained stable in recent years, around the school¿s designated capacity of 75 students. The school¿s enrolment is drawn from both the local catchment area and families choosing to travel to Taradale. The enrolment profile is attributed to community engagement, the school¿s curriculum and pedagogy and young families moving to the area. The school operates as four multi-aged classes. In 2027, Teaching staff will consist of the principal, 4.0 classroom teachers, 0.2 art teacher, 0.2 music teacher,



0.2 PE teacher, 0.4 garden specialist, 0.2 kitchen specialist, supported by 4 teacher aides, 0.6 Business Manager and 0.4 wellbeing worker. The visiting MARC van provides library services for one hour per class per week, school staff teaching all other specialist areas, often with the support of parent and community volunteers. Taradale Primary School works closely with other small schools in the area to provide camps and joint social and educational opportunities.
Taradale Primary School has a strong emphasis on engagement and wellbeing as well as embracing diversity and sustainability. The school is a lead school for the Respectful Relationships programme. Taradale Primary School believes in the benefits of multi-age schooling with a focus on the stage of development, not a child¿s age. The school also has a commitment to continuous improvement and the pursuit of academic excellence. Taradale Primary School has a strong focus on nature and play based learning, using the outdoor environment both on and off site as external classrooms. Teachers provide a differentiated curriculum that promotes individual learning and focuses on the development of independent learners. Contemporary facilities provide a stimulating and supportive environment.Significant emphasis is placed on the building of strong foundations in English and maths.





All applications are to have maximum one page per criteria.

Please include 3 referees, with mobile phone numbers.

Your role description and responsibilities will be created in collaboration with the leadership team. All aspects will be based upon the needs of the students, your strengths and the Annual Implementation Plan's focus.

Please visit our website to learn more about our school to ensure our school's philosophy is aligned to yours.

Selection Criteria

- 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.

Role

[Attendance requirement for this position]

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

📌 Gardener (Taradale)
🏢 Department of Education Victoria
📍 Taradale