Role Description/Criteria
Specialist Outdoor Education Teacher (Learning from the Land Program Coordinator)
Position Type: Part-Time (0.4 FTE), Ongoing.
Role Purpose
The Specialist Outdoor Education Teacher leads Holy Cross Primary School's flagship Learning from the Land program, an immersive, hands-on curriculum integrating the school's outdoor spaces: gardens, vineyard, olive grove, animal enclosures, and sustainable food systems.
Aligned with MACS Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement, the role delivers a rich, connected curriculum that also fosters deep learning, critical thinking, creativity, and student agency. Drawing on disciplines such as Science, Humanities, Geography, Health, and Design & Technology, the program combines explicit instruction with experiential learning.
This role also supports the school's Catholic identity by modelling Catholic Social Teaching particularly care for creation, dignity of work, and the common good.
Key Responsibilities
* Design and deliver an engaging, integrated Outdoor Education program for all students (Prep–Year 6), aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and MACS frameworks.
* Lead structured explicit teaching and hands-on experiential learning in outdoor settings, including the vineyard, olive grove, gardens, and animal care facilities.
* Collaborate with classroom teachers and leadership to create cross-curricular units and projects that reinforce broader school curriculum in outdoor learning contexts.
* Promote student voice and agency through problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.
* Foster shared responsibility for outdoor environments through meaningful interaction with the natural world.
* Support the maintenance of outdoor education spaces.
* Contribute to ongoing program development, including initiatives like Farm to Table and Vine to Wine, by exploring new resources, partnerships, and opportunities.
Key Selection Criteria
* Demonstrated expertise in curriculum and pedagogy, especially in Science, Humanities, Geography, Health, and Design & Technology.
* Proven ability to deliver high-quality, engaging learning experiences in a primary education setting.
* Experience or interest in animal care, gardening, sustainability, or agriculture.
* Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build partnerships within the school and wider community.
* Ability to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes student wellbeing and child safety.
* Innovative, reflective educator who embraces continuous improvement and new ideas.
* Knowledge and application of the Victorian Curriculum.
* A strong commitment to the mission and values of Catholic education, including Catholic Social Teaching.
* Be accredited to teach in a Catholic school (or willingness to obtain accreditation).
Special Requirements
The successful applicant should:
* be committed to child safety, to maintaining best practices to ensure this and to ongoing evaluation of these practices
* willingness to adhere to Holy Cross' Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct and other policies relevant to Ministerial Order 1359 and legislative requirements
* hold a current VIT registration
Commitment to Child Safety
Holy Cross Primary School and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools are committed to the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all children. The successful applicant will be expected to model, promote, and actively uphold a culture of child safety.
Applications close: 6th October 2025
Application Procedure
Please address applications to the Principal, Eloise Meyer, and include a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria, your resume, and the names and contact details of three referees, including your current or most recent principal.
Details:
Address: 158 Hamilton Road
New Gisborne
Phone:
Website:
Principal: Mrs Eloise Meyer
Enquiries:
Applications Close: 06/10/2025
Position: Teaching
Type: Ongoing
Hours per Week: Part-time