Job Reference 0000BD8D
Closing date September 9, 2026, 2 a.m. (AEST)
Location Findlay Ave, Port Macquarie 2444 NSW, Australia
Type Full-Time
Status Permanent
Contact Meaghan Cook
(02) 9394 2224

About this job

Position Information

Hastings Secondary College, Westport Campus is a comprehensive, coeducational Year 7–12 school located in the thriving coastal community of Port Macquarie. With approximately 600 students, the campus serves a diverse community and has a proud commitment to inclusion, Aboriginal education, student wellbeing and the development of meaningful pathways for every learner.

Westport Campus is one of two campuses within Hastings Secondary College and benefits from a shared senior curriculum that provides students with broad academic, vocational and extracurricular opportunities. Strong programs include VET and transition-to-work pathways, STEM, agriculture, sport, creative and performing arts, high potential and gifted education, Clontarf Academy and Sista Connections. In 2024, 93% of students expected to complete Year 12 attained a HSC or equivalent vocational qualification, while almost 40% of Year 12 students undertook vocational education or trade training.

The campus enjoys strong partnerships with families, the local AECG, Hastings Valley partner primary schools, community organisations and industry. Recently completed upgrades provide a welcoming new entrance, modern administration facilities and flexible contemporary learning spaces.

Guided by the College vision “One College. High Expectations. Purposeful Teaching. Every Learner. Always Improving,” the campus is strengthening explicit teaching, literacy and numeracy, student voice, attendance, belonging and evidence-informed practice. The principal will lead a committed staff and vibrant community through the next phase of improvement, building aspiration, strengthening community confidence and ensuring every student is known, valued, challenged and supported to succeed.

General Selection Criteria

1. High level educational leadership with the skills to lead and manage a complex public school focused on the delivery of high quality education
2. Ability to lead and manage rigorous and inclusive whole school teaching and learning programs
3. High level communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build positive relationships and engage all levels of the school and educational community
4. Ability to lead and manage the development and performance of staff to improve teaching and learning
5. Ability to plan systems and manage resources effectively and equitably to enhance teaching and learning
6. Capacity to lead staff in implementing the Department's Aboriginal education policy and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people

Specific Selection Criteria

1. A highly visible, courageous leader with outstanding interpersonal skills, who inspires and builds the capacity of leadership at all levels through building relational trust and collective responsibility in achieving Campus and College School Excellence Plan initiatives.
2. Strategic leadership in designing, implementing and evaluating transition and pathway initiatives across K–12 and beyond through investing in partner school collaborations and community partnerships, that increase enrolments, retention and successful post-school outcomes.
3. Demonstrated capacity to strengthen student engagement, attendance, behaviour, wellbeing and belonging through high expectations, authentic student voice, equitable systems and productive partnerships with families and the wider community.

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

Classification Structure for Principals:

The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024 details the new principal classification structure based on complexity of schools which commenced in 2016. Please view information on the Classification structure for Principals at https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/salary-and-benefits/salary-and-awards/awards-and-determinations/teachers-award-initiatives#Principal2

The classification and remuneration of our school principals is based on school complexity, as measured through each school’s RAM allocation. As part of the ongoing application of the new structure a review of thresholds and outcomes will occur on an annual basis. The principal classification for this school is Principal Level P4 for 2026.

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, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please contact the hiring manager using the contact details provided above. For more information, visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion