Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Principal - Range 4

Occupation: Principal and assistant principal

Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs

Reference: 1549707

Selection Criteria

(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.

Role

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.

Responsibilities

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:

- ensure the delivery of a comprehensive education program to all students
- be executive officer of the school council.
- establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department and school council requirements.
- represent the Department in the school and the local community.
- implement decisions of the school council.
- contribute to system-wide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development.
- manage and integrate the resources available to the school.
- appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations.
- report to the Department, school community, parents and students on the achievements of the school and of individual students as appropriate.

Who May Apply

Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Child Safe Standards

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

DE Values

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

Conditions of Employment

- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- 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

Qualification Requirements

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:

- The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
- if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
- a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE)



requirements (this condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian ITE program completed by the person).

Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.

VAPA Requirement

To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either:

- Be a substantive Principal of a registered school in Victoria; or
- Have a statement of readiness following completion of the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment.

Location Profile

Jells Park Primary School is a vibrant and dynamic school. It is situated in the residential area of Wheelers Hill, within five minutes walking distance of the Jells Park Reserve, from which the school derives its name. Built in 1979, the school has immediate impact because of the unique contemporary design of the building which is complemented by the attractive treed setting and well maintained school grounds.

Student enrolment is approximately 520 and supported by approximately 50 staff. A blend of contract and ongoing staff, working with a variance of time fractions, enables the educational programs offered to the students to be of a wide range. The school features 24 classrooms, a Visual Arts space, a well-resourced library, a full-size gymnasium, a Performing Arts classroom, and a Digital Technologies laboratory. These high-quality facilities are extensively utilised by the wider school community beyond school hours.

Jells Park Primary School is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive setting for all students. The school rigorously implements and adheres to the Victorian Child Safe Standards, with policies, practices and procedures that promote student wellbeing and protect children from harm.

Jells Park Primary School supports every student to achieve excellence within an inclusive and supportive learning environment. The school delivers a comprehensive curriculum across English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Technologies, Health and Physical Education, and the Arts, with Mandarin taught as the Language Other Than English. A strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy is complemented by rich opportunities in the Performing Arts and Sport.

At Jells Park Primary School, we are committed to developing the whole child, placing a high level of importance on academic achievement, wellbeing, creativity, leadership and personal growth. We are well known for our extensive co-curricular program, which provides students with rich opportunities to pursue their interests, develop their talents and build meaningful connections with their peers and school community. Students are encouraged to participate in a diverse range of literary, artistic, sporting and problem-solving pursuits beyond the classroom, with notable success in programs such as Wakakirri, Maths Talent Quest, School Aerobics and the Energy Breakthrough (JP Racing). Through these experiences, students develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging, ensuring they are highly engaged, connected to their school and well positioned to achieve strong learning outcomes.

Jells Park Primary School provides a strong emphasis on student wellbeing, engagement and achievement. A dedicated Social and Emotional Learning curriculum, together with our embedded School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework, fosters positive relationships, resilience and a solid sense of belonging.

Professional learning, coaching and mentoring are integral to the culture of Jells Park Primary School, ensuring staff remain at the forefront of best practice and are equipped to deliver high-quality learning experiences that enhance student outcomes.

Applications close Thursday 12 November 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

30 October 2026

📌 Principal-Range 4 (Melbourne)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Melbourne