Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden - Kitchen Specialist

Location Profile

Delacombe Primary School is situated in the southwest corner of Ballarat and services a growing residential area. The school grounds are the envy of local schools and  include adventure play equipment, sandpits, grassed areas, soccer and basketball courts and a full sized cricket/football oval that the school has use of during the day. In 2021 the school opened a competition sized basketball stadium which is equipped with a multipurpose room, change rooms and a kitchen.  The current enrolments are currently at approximately 660 students across 31 classrooms and is in a growth corridor of Ballarat.

At Delacombe Primary School we are a community of learners working in a warm, positive, friendly and engaging environment where all members proudly display the values of:

¿KINDNESS

RESPECT

RESILIENCE 

GROWTH 

¿¿ 

In order to produce happy, competent, resilient community minded individuals who are able to live productive lives. 

Our Vision is:

¿A great place to grow, achieve and succeed together¿

¿

We extend an open invitation to all potential candidates to explore our school firsthand. By visiting the school, you'll have the opportunity to acquaint yourself with our modernised facilities, meet our key leaders, and determine whether Delacombe PS aligns with your educational aspirations. Your journey towards a promising future starts here.

Educators at our school support our students to succeed and support their individual needs with:

• An explicit teaching Literacy and Numeracy program which Sounds Write, the Writing Model and Common Misunderstandings. The talented professional staff are committed and operate in strong Professional Learning Teams, each with responsibility for curriculum planning and delivery. The writing program is enhanced every year with the annual Writers¿ Festival.

• There is a comprehensive Project Based Learning program over a two-year implementation period.  This program is enhanced by camps, special days, excursions and a well-resourced library.

• An excellent Specialist Program is offered in Physical Education, Art, Auslan, Music and DigiTech. Information and Communication Technology is strongly resourced throughout the school with P-2 iPads and Grade 3-6 Chromebooks available in every class.

•   There are a significant number of children who qualify for the Disability Inclusion Program, and the teaching staff is supplemented by a team of Education    

  Support Officers who work directly with these students.  The school is very proud of the strong reputation it has developed for its capacity to support students    

  with special needs

• An engaging Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program that fosters a vibrant connection to delicious and healthy eating.  The program commenced in 2012 and continues to provide a garden and cooking experience for all students with a focus on the paddock to plate process.

• Celebrated differences where we recognise and celebrate individuality through key initiatives such as our Multi-cultural club and School Concert.

• A proactive and supportive approach to teaching behaviours and fostering positive relationships through our SWPBS  and clear expectations for every students through our Delacombe Express and strong support in our Wellbeing team.

• Dedicated activities that allow for staff and student interaction and festivities outside of the classroom. For example, our Colour Carnival, sport days, lunch clubs to name a few.

• Strong tutoring program available for students in all grade levels.  This consists of a variety of evidence-based targeted intervention programs.

• Differentiated learning programs to support students at all levels of their learning.

• Student Voice and Agency opportunities such as JSC, School and House Captains

• Take a look at our school video from 2020:  https://www.delacombeps.vic.edu.au/

We welcome our new staff by providing the following supports:

• Ongoing staff induction for all new staff where you receive support throughout the year through one on one coaching and team planning.

• Intensive support for VIT registration for all graduate teachers from their coach and Assistant Principal.

• Teaching and learning programs developed by staff collaboration using evidence-based practice.

• An active Staff Association with activities throughout the year promoting work-life balance.

• Learning Specialists provide ongoing support in team planning with our teaching and learning program and instructional model.

• Ongoing professional development and support through Sounds Write, The Writing Model and Common Misunderstandings

• Growth and leadership opportunities for Middle leaders : such as Quality Conversations at the Academy and Growth Coaching accreditation

The school recognises and receives outstanding support from its parent community on a variety of levels.  A strong and committed School Council has played a significant role in policy and planning and the energetic Parents and Friends group organises a large number of successful projects annually. To ensure participation and involvement of the parent community, the school strives to provide an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

We welcome all prospective applicants who share our school values to join our team.

Selection Criteria

• KSC 1 Demonstrate a high-level knowledge of food/horticulture and the ability to apply this knowledge in implementing a Kitchen Garden program with enthusiasm in consultation with the appropriate staff
• KSC 2 Demonstrate a high level of communication skills, and exemplary values and attitudes to engage with students, families, and colleagues.
• KSC 3 Demonstrate the ability to manage a Kitchen Garden Program, making  connections to the Victorian Curriculum.
• KSC 4 Demonstrate a strong capacity to work effectively within a team, while being adaptable to teach in a variety of learning environments.

Role

The person will be employed as Garden Specialist in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen- Garden (SAKG) Our mantra is Growing, Harvesting, Preparing, Sharing. The aim of the Kitchen Garden Program is to introduce our students to the wonderful world of good food via a productive food garden and an exciting kitchen. We hope to engage the curiosity of the young students and to help them learn how to grow the very best food in the very best way, how to care for it in the garden, how to recognise when it is ripe and at its best, how to prepare it easily and enjoyably and how to develop an expanding culinary palate ¿ and be excited by all these experiences.
The Garden Specialist plans weekly classes, preparing activites  based on and around the seasonal growth and harvesting periods. The Garden Specialist will assist in recruiting, coordinating and supporting volunteers.

Responsibilities

On taking up the position the Kitchen Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

• Liaise weekly with the Kitchen Specialist to find out what produce is available and the future harvest timetable.
• Communicate harvest requirements to the Kitchen Specialist.
• Liaise with the Kitchen Specialist on ways to integrate learning in the garden with learning in the kitchen.
• Plan the weekly activities, incorporating seasonal garden produce, and reinforce key techniques information.
• Involve classroom teachers and students in the development of lessons through formal and informal discussions.
• Plan the planting of the vegetable garden and involve the students, teachers and volunteers in the process.
• Develop the existing infrastructure and where possible involve the school community in the process.
• Liaise with the school¿s leadership team to coordinate and support kitchen volunteers.
• Meet with the Ktichen Garden team to fundraise and promote the program.
• Complete general tasks of tidying and completing jobs not finished by students, as well as maintaining equipment.

Who May Apply

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

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

Other Information

Please ensure that your application includes:

• a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

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