Overview Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time Salary: Salary not specified Grade: Principal - Range 3 Occupation: Principal and assistant principal Location: Gippsland - South Gippsland Reference: 1523994 Selection Criteria (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. Role 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. Responsibilities 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.
Who May Apply Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching. 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 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:///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:///pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview 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:///hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
Qualification Requirements To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
* The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
* if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
* a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also 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 ITE program completed by the person).
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools. VAPA Requirement To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either:
* Be a substantive Principal of a registered school in Victoria; or
* Have a statement of readiness following completion of the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment.
Location Profile Nestled in the heart of Victoria's South Gippsland, Foster Primary School sits among some of the state's most extraordinary natural landscapes, from the rugged beauty of Wilsons Promontory National Park to the beautiful coastline that draws visitors from across the country. But for the 122 students who walk through our gates each day, this isn't a backdrop, it's home. Foster Primary School is very much a part of that home.
Two of our three buildings are modern and well-appointed, set among generous green spaces that give the school a calm, welcoming feel. A community operated kindergarten on our school site means many of our youngest learners take their very first steps into formal education right here, creating a seamless transition into school life. Visitors often remark on how settled and pleasant the environment feels, because it is.
Foster Primary has a loyal, hardworking team that is deeply connected to the local community. Most of our staff live locally and have built their professional lives around this school and this town. That sense of shared investment shows in everything from classroom relationships to our caring school culture. We have nine teaching staff, including specialists in Art, Science and Physical Education, two Learning Specialists: one focused on Numeracy and Professional Learning Communities, and another supporting Mental Health and Inclusion. We also have seven Education Support staff.
Our program is established and well-rounded. A comprehensive synthetic phonics program underpins strong literacy development, while a sharp focus on numeracy ensures every child builds solid foundations. Student wellbeing is embedded through our School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework and our Respectful Relationships, Resilience and Rights curriculum. Our Kitchen/Garden program connects students to sustainability and science in a hands-on, meaningful way. Our families, working across farming, healthcare, trades, professional services, tourism and other industries, care about the school and are engaged in their children's futures. Our SFOE index of 0.3871 places us in the Medium band.
Foster Primary is at an exciting point in its story. The local population is growing, and the school has a real opportunity to build from the current 115 students back toward, and beyond, the 200 students it has seen before, as the school of choice for families across South Gippsland. The staff, programs, community relationships and the infrastructure are all here. What's needed now is the right leader to bring it all together.
This is a role for someone who is people-focused and community-minded, a leader who understands that lasting school improvement is built on relationships, and who is genuinely energised by what Foster Primary School has to offer. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you. Applications close Thursday 30 April Posted 14 April 2026