Karoo Primary School requires an energetic and enthusiastic Childcare professional with a minimum Certificate 3 in Children’s Community Services, Certificate in Anaphylaxis Management and a Working with Children Check.

The hours for this position are 7:00 - 10:00am and 3:00 - 6:00pm Monday - Friday.

Selection Criteria Questions -

1. The ability to communicate with and gain cooperation and assistance from staff, parents, and children in a childcare environment to maintain a welcoming and harmonious atmosphere.
2. Working knowledge and understanding of the needs of children aged 5-12 years, including children with special needs and those from other cultures.
3. The ability to work effectively in a team environment.
4. The ability to manage time, planning their own work to achieve set objectives in the most efficient and effective way.
5. Demonstrated high level of oral and written communication skills.

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.

The role at this range includes:

• To provide an affordable, high quality, year-round childcare program for school age children.
• To maintain a caring environment catering for the needs of individual children.
• To provide each child with security, healthy food, stimulating and creative programs.

The responsibilities of this position will be:

• To assist the coordinator with the daily implementation of the program as directed.
• Ensure the children are well cared for and properly supervised at all times.
• Report accidents or injuries to the coordinator.
• Ensure that indoor and outdoor spaces are left clean, tidy and secure.
• Attend OSHC staff meetings.
• Report any problems relating to children’s behaviour to the coordinator before the end of session or prior to child pick up.
• Assist with the care and maintenance of equipment used by the program.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of programs suited to the needs of individual children and groups.
• Have responsibility for reporting observations of individual children or groups for program planning purposes.

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.  It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 801 or email on: brett.west@education.vic.gov.au

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• 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

Karoo Primary School, established in 1992, is located in Rowville. Our current enrolment is 478, we have 21 classrooms and specialist learning spaces.  Our staffing structure includes full-time and part -time teaching staff, ES support and administration staff.  Our 2022 staff consists of one Principal and one Assistant Principal. We have two Learning Specialists; the focus of their work is Literacy and Numeracy.  A Leading Teacher, without fulltime classroom responsibilities, leads Student Wellbeing and Disability Inclusion. Classroom programs are designed to support individual needs and are enriched by our specialist programs which include Physical Education, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, LOTE (Mandarin) and Science. In 2023 we will be introducing Media & Technologies as a new specialist subject delivered to Foundation to Year 6. Wellbeing intervention and literacy intervention (LEAP –Literacy Enrichment Assistance Program) are also implemented at the school which support the Science of Reading approach we have embedded from Foundation. Identified students participate in the High Ability Program, supported by a designated leader. Our students are supported by professional and dedicated staff who encourage and provide opportunities for all students to achieve their personal excellence.

Karoo’s philosophy is based on high-quality teaching, enhanced by PLC collaboration to ensure all students achieve their potential, to be the best they can be.

We collectively work together to improve teaching and learning by:

1. Striving to adopt consistent teaching protocols to enhance positive student behaviour, engagement and learning.
2. Ensuring all learning tasks are purposeful, at point of need, differentiated and challenging.
3. Supporting staff to participate in professional learning and development, to reflect on their professional practice, to encourage and enhance collegiate support.
4. Using assessment tools and data to monitor student achievement, to plan future learning and to inform teaching through embedded Professional Learning Communities.
5. Student voice empowers our students and provides them with the opportunity to give feedback to each other and their teachers. Student agency is focused on giving students responsibility and ownership of their learning.

Karoo staff implement an Instructional Model in their teaching practices. A key focus of our teaching and learning is the effective use of Learning Walks and Talks across all year levels and specialist programs. Ongoing whole school Professional Learning has supported staff to make effective use of the High Impact Teaching Strategies. We are currently undertaking Professional Learning to improve our teaching instruction for Writing, we are using the 6+1 Writing Model.

Our current Professional Learning teams are Literacy, Numeracy and Wellbeing. Student Agency is embedded throughout all of them. The Respectful Relationships Program supports our whole school Wellbeing Program (Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships). In 2022 we have begun to embed Restorative Practices across the school through our partnership with Real Schools. Strong student voice has resulted in wellbeing dogs at Karoo in 2023.

High quality specialist programs enhance and support students to explore their interests and talents. Our students participate in weekly Physical Education, Performing and Visual Arts lessons. Our year 3-6 students participate in science lessons with a designated teacher. All students participate in Chinese (Mandarin) which has been extended from F-2 in 2021.  2023 will bring the new specialist subject for all students, Media and Technologies.

Karoo fosters both sporting and arts programs by offering opportunities for students to represent the school in district and regional sports competitions. Student participation in the school choir, instrumental music lessons and ‘State Schools Spectacular’ are well supported and enjoyed by our students.

Our outdoor education program is available for students in Years 3 to Year 6.  Adventure camps are the focus for students in Years 3, 4 and 6.  Our Year 5 students participate in an urban camp in the City of Melbourne. Our staff compliment learning programs by organising a range of incursions and excursions, these provide insightful experiences for the students.

We have a supportive School Council who actively participate in a range of sub committees.  School Council is responsible for the effective organisation and daily running of our Outside School Hours Care Program.  Currently we have places for 90 students. School Council, Karoo Parents Association and Karoo Class Reps Programs positively contribute to the establishment of developing a positive partnership between home and school. There is a very strong sense of community at Karoo which is clearly evident in whole school events and fundraising activities. We value the home/school partnership and use a range of communication tools to keep parents informed. Compass is used as a communication platform to connect with our school community.

Student leadership is strong at Karoo; we have appointed Year 6 captains who undertake a range of responsibilities throughout the school. The school and student voice captains assist with the running of the fortnightly school assembly. Other captains assist in the Physical Education, The Arts, Library, Mandarin and Science programs. 2023 will see new Wellbeing Captains to support the introduction of wellbeing dogs. Year 6 Captains participate in student leadership lessons across the year with a dedicated teacher supporting the development of their leadership skills.

To further support students to build leadership skills prior to Year 6, we commence leadership development with our younger students. The Play Leaders Program provides opportunities for appointed students in Year 5 to undergo training in leadership skills to organise and facilitate play activities for students, with a focus on creating a positive environment for our students.

Karoo Primary School is set amongst inviting and attractive facilities. Our students have a range of places for outdoor play including 3 playgrounds, sandpit for the younger students, a designated prep play area, grass playing areas, active and passive areas, 3 basketball courts, and a turf athletics track which will be upgraded in the coming year. Our well-maintained learning spaces also include a gymnasium, multi-use space, art room, music room and science room. A well-resourced library is a feature of our school; students at Karoo enjoy opportunities to visit the library at lunchtimes and during their weekly library lesson.