Assistant Guide (Teacher’s Aide)
Position: Assistant Guide (Teacher Aide)
Time Fraction: Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Reports To: Principal
Effective Date: January 2025
Our Philosophy
High Trees Primary was created from a desire and passion to bring emotional safety, a deep sense of connection to the land around us, and a welcome expression of self to an educational environment which fosters innate curiosity, wonder, joy and a love of learning.
An ever-growing body of research supports the fact that children need to feel emotionally safe in order to learn at their deepest and highest capacity. We believe that if children feel a part of a caring, connected learning community where they are seen, heard and valued; they will thrive.
We believe that our approach to education will lead to children who not only maintain, but strengthen, their joy and curiosity; children who learn so deeply that they learn for life rather than for a test; children who value emotional intelligence as much as academic intelligence; children who are connected to themselves, each other and their environment; children who know that unintended outcomes are simply an opportunity for growth and further discovery.
Our Vision
At High Trees Primary, our vision is to cultivate a learning environment where wellbeing, a deep connection with nature, and individual expression are foundational. We aim to nurture curious, capable, creative, conscious and connected children who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.
Our Learning Seeds Framework
Our unique Learning Seeds framework represents the key ideas, beliefs and skills that we nurture in children throughout their learning journey. Just as seeds need the right environment, care and time to grow, children need a supportive environment to learn and develop at their own individual pace. High Trees Primary focuses on creating the ideal conditions for these learning seeds to flourish.
Our Child Safety Statement
High Trees Primary is deeply committed to being a child safe organisation. We have a zero tolerance stance for anything which threatens child safety and are committed to acting in children’s best interest and keeping them safe from harm at all times. We value our child protection responsibilities with the utmost importance and are committed to ensuring compliance with all child protections laws and regulations.
We are committed to taking a preventative and proactive approach to providing a child safe environment where children are safe and feel safe; they are empowered to use their voices when decisions are being made that affect their safety. We are also committed to providing simple and accessible processes to assist all children to identify and communicate when they do not feel safe. Particularly, this includes those who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, from culturally diverse backgrounds and those with a disability.
We are clear about our expectations of every person in our community and are committed to having a shared understanding of a responsibility for child safety. All members of the High Trees Primary community are expected to uphold a culture that protects children from all forms of harm.
Position Overview: Assistant Guide (Teacher Aide)
The role of the Assistant Guide is to support the Group Guide (Teacher) to nurture the development of the whole child - social, emotional and academic growth. The Assistant Guide is responsible for fostering an emotional connection with all children and families by developing collaborative partnerships to enhance inclusion, wellbeing and learning. The Assistant Guide works alongside the Group Guide to support children’s emotional wellbeing, assist individual children or small groups of children with their learning, contribute to the set up of a creative learning environment, document the children’s learning and complete administration tasks. The Assistant Guide is expected to work independently and collaboratively, actively contribute to a joyful team culture and be a positive role model within the community.
Key Responsibilities include:
Support children’s personal growth and development, foster an emotional connection with all children and families and provide the space for children to feel emotionally safe
Contribute to a community in which all children feel they belong, that their strengths are honoured and where risk taking opportunities are encouraged
Demonstrate an Image of the Child that believes that children are creative, curious, conscious, capable and connected learners
Allow children an authentic voice and choices in their learning experiences by supporting the learning program alongside the Group Guide
Assist the Group Guide to support children’s learning growth individually and in small groups
Support the Group Guide to maintain inspiring and engaging learning environments that support and engage the children to use their “100 Languages” through open-ended experiences centred on the children’s interests, the Groups research project and community events
Instil a deep care and passion for the environment and connection to place
Support participation and connection with families, develop collaborative partnerships to enhance the children’s inclusion, wellbeing and learning
Support the Group Guide to record and display the children’s learning through a range of documentation including photographic evidence, quotes, observations and learning samples
Conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the expectations that are held for children and in-line with High Trees Primary’s Philosophy, Policies, Procedures & Child Safety Code of Conduct
Undertake and maintain professional development and training as provided for by High Trees Primary
Commit to ongoing personal development and self reflection
Contribute to an innovative, collaborative and joyful team culture
Engage in regular reflective conversations with the Group Guide and team about our practice, goals and ideas
Act, seek advice and/or report on all cases of suspected child safety breaches in order to comply with Duty of Care obligations
The successful applicant will:
Display that they are committed to personal and professional self-growth and reflection, be flexible and willing to learn, unlearn and try new approaches
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the wellbeing of children, how to hold space for children and how to respond to children’s emotional needs
Have a desire to support children in learning opportunities and experiences that are creative and innovative, including nature-based, play-based and project-based learning
Demonstrate integrity, initiative, openness, vulnerability, authenticity, confidentiality and emotional intelligence
Be passionate, grounded, reflective, humble, warm, energetic and fun
Have current First Aid Qualifications and Mandatory Reporting certificate
Key Selection Criteria
Demonstrate an understanding and examples of how you align with High Trees Primary’s philosophy, vision and values.
Demonstrate how you create and nurture deep relationships, connection and partnerships with children, families, team and the community.
Creativity and innovation are at the centre of our approach. How are you creative and innovative and how might you bring this into your role?
Demonstrate how you contribute to a collaborative and joyful team culture.
Please send your resume, including a minimum of three professional referees, a cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria to hello@hightreesprimary.com.au by Monday 23 September.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview during the week of Monday 30 September - Friday 4 October.
This Position Description is a guide only and is not intended to be an exhaustive or exclusive list of the duties of this position. It is subject to review and modification by the Principal at any time in response to the changing needs of the school.
