Head Teacher Science - Tenterfield High School

Position Information

Tenterfield High School, situated 18 km south of the Queensland border, is a rural school catering for the needs of approximately 250 students including 22% who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The school caters for students with a range of abilities and includes four multi–categorical classes.

Quality teaching and learning form the basis for excellent educational initiatives. Explicit teaching and high expectations are a focus across the school and literacy and numeracy are embedded in all KLA's. The school achieves excellent HSC results, above state average in several subjects. In 2021 and 2023 we were recognised for showing some of the most improved HSC results in the state. In 2022 and 2023 our reading results showed improvement that was significantly above state average, while our numeracy growth was above statistically like schools and in line with the state average. In 2024 our numeracy growth was ranked first in statistically like schools and our reading was ranked fourth.

Agricultural, music, drama, and other enrichment programs, as well as successful vocational education programs, are a feature of the school. The students are highly active within the community and reach state level in a variety of sporting events. Staff range from experienced to early career and are committed to improving the educational opportunities to reflect future focused teaching and learning. The school enjoys very strong parent and community support with significant ties to the local Aboriginal community and has in place a highly developed student wellbeing system.

This position would involve supervising the Science and TAS faculty.

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

Specific Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated excellence in communication, along with strong organisational and management capabilities to successfully manage resources and systems in a diverse Science and TAS faculty.
2. Demonstrated capacity for strong educational leadership in developing and implementing innovative and differentiated teaching and learning programs to improve learning outcomes for all students, including students from low socio-economic status communities, students with disabilities, gifted and talented students and Aboriginal students.
3. Demonstrated ability to build staff capacity and foster a culture of high expectations, while being a collaborative and visible leader who works effectively with the executive to implement whole school priorities.

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.