Address
Form of workPomonal Primary School Profile
Geographical Context
Pomonal nestles into the east side of the Grampians (Gariwerd) Range with the National Park creating its western border. The town of Pomonal was named after the Roman Goddess Pomona, goddess of orchards and fruit trees. With the establishment of orchards in the area the school began in 1887
Pomonal Primary School community pays its respects to the Djab Wurrung Elders past and present, who together with their people, continue to care for country so well it enables us to live together with them in such a beautiful environment today.
History and Background
Pomonal Primary School (No 2859) is a small rural School which adjoins the open woodland of Millers Creek. The original school building still remains as an administration room. Students come from the vicinity of the township of Pomonal and from the surrounding area.
Pomonal Community
Although a small village of 360 people, Pomonal is a cohesive but dynamic area with artists, wildlife experts, various professionals, tradies, farmers and retirees. The village has several businesses ¿ General Store, Winery, Nurseries, Hallsgap Zoo, Olive Grove, Berry Farm, Artist¿s Studios, Orchard, Tourist Accommodation and a Bistro being the most visible of the 24 businesses currently running from Pomonal. There is a wide range of skills in the families who live in the area. Adults either work from home, travel to either Stawell, Ararat or work/ volunteer locally. Young people have to travel to secondary colleges in either Stawell (21km) or Ararat (35km). Pomonal has both multiple generational Pomonal families (white settlement in the 1800¿s, PO opened in 1890) and an ongoing flush of new comers seeking a country lifestyle. Historically this has always been the same, as people came to set up orchards, tobacco, sheep farms and small businesses, with early residents creating a welcoming orientation towards newer arrivals even then. This welcoming ethic remains today.
There are a number of service/ community groups ¿ CFA, Hall Committee, Progress Association, Australian Plant Society, Landcare, Community Resilience Project, Mixed Bunch Art Group, Book Clubs, Men¿s Shed, and more. Art and environment are both highly valued by the community.
The new hall is a great resource for the community hosting many Pomonal Primary School events such as the Art Show (now in its 30th year), concerts, Small Hall¿s Program, meetings, markets, festivals and the annual wild flower show.
Students (although very successful academically) tend to be outdoors type children and have a strong interest in outdoor activities, sport, art and physical activity. The local play group meets at the school, creating a welcoming atmosphere for pre-schoolers.
School Infrastructure and Grounds
Pomonal Primary School situated beside a bushland reserve, which for many years has been a significant focus for daily activities. The school and grounds consists of:
¿ 3 classrooms with modern furniture and technology
¿ The original school building is still utilised as the administration office
¿ Newly renovated art and science/ STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Maths) classroom
¿ Newly built student kitchen and library space which is also utilised as the Outside School Hours Care program space
¿ Grounds include a large oval, court area, playground, BMX track, vegetable garden, orchard and chicken pen, cubby house, sand pit and a variety of garden spaces used for learning.
¿ Interactive whiteboards are utilised in all classrooms which are equipped with computers and iPads.
School Dynamics
¿ In a warm and nurturing environment students are encouraged to be curious, enthusiastic and self-motivated learners assisted by integrated modern technology.
¿ The curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum with a very strong emphasis on Phonics, Literacy and Maths. In addition to direct instruction, students participate in cross-curricular `Real-world/ Authentic¿ problem solving tasks which allow them to deepen their knowledge and transfer skills.
¿ Students develop an appreciation of the close community in which they live and are supported to be active members of their community and the wider global community and community members are encouraged to work in partnership with the school to provide life-long learning opportunities for the students.
¿ Pomonal Primary School has non-negotiable explicit teaching time of ten hours of English and five hours of Mathematics per week.
¿ We provide a multi-age ¿developmental learning program where students are grouped according to individual ability and needs and are provided the individual support to further develop or extend the student. (Staff meet bi-annually with the parents and students to review, identify and prioritise and document new individual learning goals and plans).
¿ Regular maths/ literacy intervention is provided for students as required.
¿ Students participate in cluster and sporting activities with students from surrounding schools
¿ Specialist programs include an art, music, physical education and outdoor education program
¿ Students have the opportunity to work on projects with the `Pomonal Men¿s Shed¿
¿ Auslan sign language is the language other than English taught in Years P¿6 and used in daily teaching in classes where we have students with hearing loss and is explicitly to taught to all students and staff.
¿ Our camps and excursions program aims to introduce students to new environments and provide unique challenges and includes activities such as downhill skiing, rockclimbing, horse riding and a range of environments.
¿ A local playgroup operates fortnightly on site, co-sharing school facilities.
¿ PPS welcomes the active support of parents, carers and the local community and work in partnership to enhance the education of students.
¿ The development of leadership skills and independence is an important focus for each individual along with a respect of the natural environment.
Staffing for 2023
¿ Principal/ Y3-6 Teacher (Full Time)
¿ P-1 Teacher (Part Time)
¿ 2-3 Teacher (Full Time)
¿ 3-6 Teacher (Part Time/ Volunteer)
¿ Specialist PE/ Health Teacher (1 day/ week)
¿ Specialist Art Teacher (1 day/ fortnight)
¿ Specialist Library Teacher (MARC VAN) 1 day/ fortnight)
¿ Business Manager (2 days/ week)
¿ IT Technician (1/2 day/ week)
¿ Cleaner (6 hrs -week)
¿ Grounds Manager (Casual)
¿ Outside School Hours Care Coordinator
¿ Outside School Hours Care Worker
¿ Integration Aide
¿ Auslan Specialist and Teacher Aide
¿ Tutor
Pomonal Primary School¿s mission is to:
¿ Provide an enriched and welcoming learning community that embodies the principals of respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment as well as respect for Australia¿s freedoms and commitment to supporting our country¿s democratic principles of an elected government, the rule of law, equal rights for all, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and association, values of openness and acceptance of differences and diversity, safety for all children.
¿ Nurture, inspire and support each child¿s individual development by fostering the growth of self-confidence, independence, self-discipline, personal and social responsibility
¿ Foster children¿s innate love of learning and to make their introduction to education a joyful and purposeful start to a journey of life-long learning.
School Ethos and Values
Pomonal Primary School is a place where `learning for life¿ is the foundation of all learning activities, where students are encouraged to connect with their environment and wider community, sharing a strong sense of belonging.
Our core values are Respect, Responsibility and Resilience which are pillars of the Pomonal community and understood by students in the following ways.
¿RESPECT - of self; respect of others differences and needs; respect of property and the environment.
RESPONSIBILITY -take responsibility for own learning and for the environment within and out of the classroom.
RESILIENCE ¿Don¿t give up! Learn from challenges.
1) Experience: Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in maintenance and groundskeeping.
2) Skills: Proficient in general maintenance tasks, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and landscaping. Ability to operate and maintain groundskeeping equipment and adhere to safety protocols and regulations related to maintenance and groundskeeping activities.
3) Team Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team environment, coordinating with other staff to address maintenance needs promptly.
4) Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot and address maintenance issues efficiently.
5) Attention to Detail: Keen attention to detail to ensure that maintenance work is completed to high standards and the grounds are well-kept.
6) Communication: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact with staff, students, and contractors. Ability to provide clear instructions and updates on maintenance activities.
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 Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).
A role at this range may include:
- Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
- Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
- Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
- Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.
An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.
- Manage the use and maintenance of equipment within a work area.
- Ensure security is maintained within a work area.
- Evaluate and select equipment and materials and make recommendations to senior management.
- Develop procedures relating to the use and maintenance of equipment and materials.
- Coordinate the purchase of equipment and materials.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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.
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).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
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
- 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
