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:

• 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.

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

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:

 Child Safe Standards: Policy | education.vic.gov.au

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DE’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE’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 DE 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

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must 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 Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.

To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either already be a Principal or have met the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) requirement as follows:

• For principal positions advertised between 1 August 2021 and 31 December 2021 a person will be required to have registered to undertake the VAPA before being appointed to a principal position.
• For principal positions advertised on or after from 1 January 2022 a person must have completed the VAPA and be provided with a statement of readiness before they can be appointed to a principal position.

Rupanyup Primary School is located in the central Wimmera region in the shire of Yarriambiack, with the closest major town being Horsham, 45 kilometers distant. It is a feeder school for Murtoa College. In 2023 the school has 14 students; in the past few years enrolment has declined, due to families moving away from the town. There are 12 families in the school this year. The children of families from farming districts travel to school by bus. The school is staffed by the principal, who also teaches two days a week, two full time teachers and a 0.6 business manager.

The school is set in large grounds that include a shaded climbing area and individual play spaces, and a landscaped garden and sport courts at the front of the school. Adjacent to the school and within the school’s responsibility is a shared community swimming pool. The pool is surrounded by a tall fence and is maintained by the school and the shire. The main building of red brick was constructed in the 1920s. The school has had two additions over time: a freestanding learning technologies centre that houses the art room, and the youth hall that was relocated and refurbished in 2007. Within the main building the school has a well-patronised library, and the Mobile Area Resource Centre (MARC) visits the school each fortnight to supplement library resources. The youth hall is used by the community for a range of activities including our OSHC program, playgroup and by the school for extracurricular events.

The School Council assists with school operations and parents are involved in excursions, sporting events, fetes and concerts and community classes. The school operates OSHC which is an after-school program. This is a major boost for the school and its community as many of the families work long hours and require extra support. The Student Council is active in raising money for school events and charities. All Year 5 and 6 students are given leadership positions to foster the school values. Across all year levels, positive behaviours are promoted through the explicit teaching of the values and the implementation of the School Wide Positive Support System.

Students participate in inter-school activities, including Year 6 student visits to the nearest secondary college as part of the transitions program, Country Education Program activities with other primary schools and involvement in sports and charities events. The vision of the school was changed in 2019. Previously it was "Rupanyup Primary School sees its core purpose as providing a positive learning environment and to prepare its students academically for Secondary College and socially for life." This was changed to "Rupanyup Primary School students are welcoming and embrace diversity in an inclusive environment. Together we build skills, friendship, confidence and community spirit."

The community identified values of Rupanyup PS are: • Integrity - Be honest, learn from mistakes • Perseverance – Keep trying, overcome difficulties • Respect - Be polite, think of others • Responsibility – Accept challenges and be reliable. • Cooperation - Work together, share Motto: Achieving Together

The main aims of the Strategic plan are to identify ways to ensure all areas of the Victorian Curriculum are delivered appropriately. We have also focused on improving communication between home and school. Finally, we have also worked on improving staff data literacy to inform our teaching of literacy and numeracy and to ensure differentiation is adopted across the school.