Head Teacher Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - Penrith High School

Position Information

Penrith Selective High School is an academically selective high school located on Dharug land. It has a coeducational enrolment of 936 students, including 92.6% from non-English-speaking backgrounds (English, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, and Mandarin are our main language groups), and two Aboriginal students. The school has a strong commitment to differentiated teaching and learning to meet the needs of highly gifted learners in addition to supporting students and their wellbeing across all domains of giftedness. The highly skilled and dedicated teachers focus on quality teaching and learning with an emphasis on understanding strategies that meet the needs of gifted and talented students, including those who are twice exceptional (2e). We develop students who are innovative thinkers, confident and self–motivated learners, and possess strong ethical values. The school enjoys the support of its culturally and linguistically diverse community and has fostered strong partnerships with Australian and overseas universities, cultural institutions, businesses, and community groups and has established in-house enterprise learning. A strong focus on the wellbeing of all students is supported in an atmosphere that provides over 100 Talent Development Opportunities, including co-curricular learning experiences, strong enrichment opportunities and programs for students with interests and passions in sport, creative and performing arts, leadership, and school & community service. It offers extensive student leadership opportunities that contribute to a positive school ethos and a philosophy of social justice. The school values the positive contributions that parents and alumni make to its culture.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,

1. Demonstrated ability to lead curriculum reform and implement new PDHPE syllabi through the design of evidence-informed programs and assessments that extend and challenge high-potential and gifted learners.
2. Educational leadership capacity to support a diverse PDHPE faculty through a focus on staff wellbeing, professional learning, and reflective practice that promotes collective efficacy and sustained growth in teaching practice.
3. Demonstrated ability to lead and refine whole-school initiatives that strengthen school culture, enhance student engagement, and align with strategic priorities, while working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
4. A visible, proactive, and collaborative executive leader who contributes to the school’s culture of high expectations and holistic development through initiatives that promote student leadership, co-curricular sport and wellbeing across the school community.

General Selection Criteria

1. Successful teaching experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice
2. Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student welfare with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs
3. Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams
4. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents
5. Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning
6. Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy

Conditions

An unconditional full approval to teach is a requirement. If you do not hold a full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education, you are required to commence the application process at the same time as you apply for this teaching opportunity.

Special Notes

The Eligibility Requirements for Head Teacher Positions in NSW Government Schools are located here.
Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.

About the NSW Department of Education

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion

New merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals have been introduced to provide greater clarity to applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are located here.

To ensure that your application complies with the guideline page limits, your attachments must be in PDF format.