Principal-Range 2

Walwa Primary School is a small rural school located in North East Victoria on the Murray River, approximately 120 kilometres to the east. It is located within the Walwa township with Corryong located 45 kilometres to the east. The school has a proud history and the rural setting on the edge of the North East of Victoria presents opportunities and challenges for the community. Some students are bussed in, travelling from various locations in the area, including immediate township and local farms. With a current enrolment of 10 there is a staffing profile of a teaching principal, a part time teacher, Full time teacher aid and a part time business manager. 

At Walwa Primary School the vision is to deliver the best possible, high quality and meaningful learning experiences to each of the students in order that they become confident and valuable citizens in an ever changing world. The school¿s mission is to inspire and stimulate each student in a way that will engage them fully in their learning, developing a positive sense of self-worth and a belief in their ability to become valuable contributors to society. As a small rural school, it aims to enhance the learning and socialization of the students through the provision of quality learning programs and enriching experiences, it also participates in cluster sports days, curriculum days, camps and excursions.

The school is a participant of the Tallangatta cluster of schools, consisting of six primary schools, one p-12 college and one Secondary College. The cluster has had a long history of active collaboration, cooperation and partnering around key areas such as curriculum development, assessment and moderation, camp and sporting events and primary to secondary transition. The small schools within this group actively work together for mutual support and to provide students with the best learning experiences possible. Staff are regularly given the opportunity to attend professional development within this cluster and to access professional development offers by the department that is in line with the priorities of the school. 

Walwa Primary School has a memorandum of Understanding with the Walwa Bush Nursing Centre and is able to use the facilities and resources at the Bush Nursing Centre.

(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.

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.

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

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.