Performing Arts Guide (Teacher)
Position: Performing Arts Guide (Teacher)
Time Fraction: Part-time: 1 day/week (.2 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: Performing Arts Guide (Teacher)
The role of all Guides at High Trees Primary is to nurture the development of the whole child - social, emotional and academic growth. All Guides are responsible for fostering an emotional connection with children and families by developing collaborative partnerships to enhance inclusion, wellbeing and learning. The Performing Arts Guide is responsible for the planning, delivery and assessment of a creative and innovative Performing Arts program that is intentional and responsive, allowing for children to have an authentic voice and choice in their learning whilst aligning to the Australian Curriculum and High Trees Primary’s philosophy. The Performing Arts 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
Create and 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 taking an intentional, responsive and reflective approach to implementing a Performing Arts program that is personalised for each child and the collective group, including regular opportunities for cross-curriculum connections and collaboration with other Specialist Guides and Group Guides
Ensure children have opportunities to learn individually and collaboratively in groups including differentiated, mixed ability, same age and mixed aged groups
Design and maintain inspiring and engaging learning contexts that support and engage the children to use their “100 Languages” through open-ended experiences centred on the children’s interests, research projects 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
Monitor, assess and evaluate learning in context with the High Trees Primary curriculum & pedagogical approaches in line with the Australian Curriculum
Utilise consistent planning documents to develop, implement and record a creative and effective learning program consistent with High Trees Primary’s philosophy
Maintain records of children’s progress through a range of documentation including photographic evidence, quotes, observations and annotated learning samples
Make the learning process visible through pedagogical documentation for the children, the families and the community
Incorporate knowledge and understanding of nature-based, play-based and research project-based learning pedagogies
Undertake reporting to families consistent with High Trees Primary’s reporting policy which includes semesterly reports and ongoing feedback for all children
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
Participate in all aspects of High Trees Primary, including social functions, school events, camps, incursions/excursions, community days, team meetings and planning days
In partnership with the Principal and/or other Team members, develop special programs including camps, excursions, events and other specialist functions
Contribute to an innovative, collaborative and joyful team culture
Engage in regular reflective conversations as a 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, be able to sit with uncertainty and be comfortable with the uncomfortable
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the wellbeing of children, how they as educators hold space for the children and how they respond to the children’s emotional needs
Have a strong understanding and knowledge of designing, implementing and reviewing a high quality Performing Arts program that is intentional, responsive and reflective
Have a demonstrated capacity to engage and motivate children in learning opportunities and experiences that are creative and innovative
Have a strong understanding and knowledge of using the Australian Curriculum to collaboratively and independently plan and assess learning
Contribute to team planning documentation using consistent models and guidelines
Demonstrate a passion for fostering participation and connection with families, developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships to enhance the children’s inclusion, wellbeing and learning
Demonstrate integrity, initiative, openness, vulnerability, authenticity, confidentiality and emotional intelligence
Be passionate, grounded, reflective, humble, warm, energetic and fun
Have current QLD teaching registration, Mandatory Reporting Certificate and First Aid Qualifications
Key Selection Criteria
Share your Image of the Child
What moments, educational movement, theory or people have shaped your learning as an educator? Demonstrate an understanding and examples of your openness and flexibility to learning and unlearning, self reflection and growth.
Emotional wellbeing, relationships, connection and partnership sit at the core of High Trees. Demonstrate an understanding and examples of how you align with our philosophy, vision and values including a focus on children, families, team and community.
If you could implement one educational change or initiative that aligns with what you are passionate about, where would you start?
Demonstrate knowledge of innovative pedagogy and creative learning approaches including knowledge and experience in planning and delivering a high-quality Performing Arts program that is intentional and responsive.
How do you define creativity? How will you bring this into your role?
Demonstrate how you contribute to an innovative, 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.
