ESO- Kitchen Assistant-South Melbourne

Organisational Environment:

Hester Hornbrook Academy is a Special Assistance School which provides wellbeing for learning and learning for wellbeing.  Recognising that mainstream education is not suitable for all young people, our programs are driven by the personal pursuits of students. 
 
Our HOPE – Healing Orientated Program of Education, informs our work each day, ensuring the integration of academic intervention and growth with wellbeing and life skills.  Applied learning, includes VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate), VM (VCE Vocational Major) and VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools.

At Hester Hornbrook we strive for a culture that is values and purposed aligned.  Our employees are central to the support we provide to our young people.  Our employees’ behaviours, values, skills and expertise is essential for the successful delivery of our programs.

About the Opportunity:

The Kitchen Assistant will be required to support the entire campus – staff and students to deliver applied learning educational opportunities.  Educational Support Officers (ESOs) will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialised food handling, food preparation and kitchen support to achieve specific educational outcomes for the young people of Hester Hornbrook Academy. The Kitchen Assistant will also at times be required to assist with educational assessments and interventions to ensure that all supports are individualised and relevant for every student and will allow learning for wellbeing.

Our ideal candidate will be able to successfully demonstrate the following key skills and attributes:

• Collate orders for individual practical classes and produce orders for supermarket, greengrocer and butcher. 
• Complete weekly supermarket shopping.
• Receive ingredients as required and check ingredients for quality. 
• Correct storage of ingredients to maintain shelf-life and food safety.

Laundry 

• Launder tea towels, dishcloths, tablecloths and oven mitts as required. 
• Maintain class sets of aprons.

Practical classes 

• Set up ingredients and equipment for teacher demonstration if required. 
• Set up and preparation of ingredients and equipment for students including division of ingredients where required. 
• Clean up and storage of ingredients and equipment following practical classes. 
• Hand towel, hand soap and dishwashing dispensers filled as required. 
• Assist selected students as required during practical classes. 
• Assist students with cleaning of individual workstations including checking of cleanliness of equipment and work area as well as identification of missing equipment.

Equipment procurement & cleaning 

• Food technology equipment such as fridges, bulk storage containers, hand washing basins, tables, chairs, ovens, rubbish bins, benches, cupboards, drawers, shelves and microwave ovens are to be cleaned and wiped regularly throughout each week following practical classes. 
• Ovens and other preparation and cooking equipment thoroughly cleaned at the end of each term
• Produce and collate equipment orders in collaboration with key school staff.
• Maintaining accurate records using the school’s Student Management system and learning management systems including regular wellbeing case noting and prepare/ contribute to reports (including NCCD) as required. 
• Participate in regular supervision, whole school and campus meetings, the performance review processes, professional learning and a culture of continuous review, improvement of student learning outcomes and achievement of the Hester Hornbrook Strategic Plan (SP) and Annual Implementation Plans (AIP). 
• Ensure that all Child Safe, risk management and Hester Hornbrook documentation is adhered to.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as directed by Executive and Senior Leadership Teams of Hester Hornbrook.

Note all applicants must be prepared to travel between all Hester Hornbrook Academy campuses.
(please see the Position Description for more detailed information and the Key Selection Criteria)  

Benefits:

• Hester Hornbrook Academy as an Independently Registered School has its own Enterprise Agreement. 
• A competitive renumeration applies to this role together with access to tax-effective salary packaging arrangements and supportive work/life balance provisions.
• HHA recognizes the importance of investing in the training, learning and development of our staff.

How to apply:

Applications close: Friday 18th July 2025
Address applications to - Sally Lasslett , Principal.

Applications to include a Cover Letter which highlights how you have previously assisted a young person to improve their wellbeing outcomes which has resulted in success in educational outcomes, leading to learning for wellbeing and a current CV with referees.  Ensure that all Key Selection Criteria are addressed.

For more information, including a position description, closing date and how to apply, please click “apply for this job” to be redirected to our website

For enquiries about this role, and assistance with application submission- recruitment@mcm.org.au
We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

Essential Safety Screening Requirements:

• Proof of Identity Check
• National Police check
• International Police check
• Current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee)
• Other Professional Registration (eg VIT, APRA, etc.)
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence
• Right to work in Australia

Our commitment to diversity, equity of access and inclusion

Hester Hornbrook Academy is committed to inclusion, equity of access and diversity. We know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. The MCM Group DEI Strategy On for Inclusion supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We recognise that many people continue to face systemic barriers within an employment context, particularly those from First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, disability and LGBTIQA+ communities. We are committed to inclusivity and want to continue to learn from and grow our diverse workplace culture. This includes supporting your individual employment needs wherever reasonably possible..

Our commitment to safety

Hester Hornbrook /MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.