Head Teacher Science - Ashcroft High School

The role of head teacher Science at Ashcroft High School [AHS] requires a preparedness and passionate desire to be part of a senior team leading a unique innovative research-based learning environment. AHS has a growing enrolment – 45% over five years – of over 700, including 70% LBOTE and 15% students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. The school receives equity funding to assist considerable economic and social disadvantage [the lowest median income in NSW]. The school provides a range of innovative integrated structures to effectively support students' comprehensive development within a school community context. AHS has at its core a well-developed sense of vision and purpose, from which the Whole Person is at the centre supported by various interconnecting layers [the School Plan]. This focus means all aspects of human development are equally acknowledged and developed in order to assist comprehensive educational outcomes. The school is working on a research-based early-years to post-years community learning continuum that also includes a health-learning profile. High-level teaching and learning - the NSW Quality Teaching framework - is embedded in practice since 2004, and connects to all school programs. Cross-faculty teams support each other in this work.

High level, interconnected practice includes in-class (NSW) Quality Teaching and related data, student learning focus groups, all teacher reflective learning journals, social-emotional wellbeing and physical health impacts to inform practice over time; together with a high-functioning Student Leadership Council [four portfolios]. The school promotes and develops its own research-based practice including an Ashcroft Research Centre (ARC) for staff and students. Research also includes a more substantive understanding of our community - past, present and future and through the notion of place and space inclusive of all students learning and working together. AHS integrate a large School Health faculty [including its own peer-reviewed papers] within the learning context together with a Student Support Services faculty and Learning Centre [student analysis and support]. This work forms an integral part of the School’s Plan and Directions, and teacher leaders are required to be cognisant of its purpose and intent.

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

1. Preparedness to be part of an executive team leading learning innovation that is school research-based, and links to a comprehensive holistic approach to human development [the whole person].
2. Preparedness to be part of an executive team supporting a wide-range of student learning capacities, and faculty staff to engender excitement and confidence regarding their teaching and learning to achieve comprehensive educational outcomes.
3. Preparedness to see learning as an integrated whole. Science is connected to all parts of the school’s direction including, e.g., literacy skills and within the broader community
4. Preparedness to be part of an executive team and staff that embrace the NSW Quality Teaching model as an integrated part its pedagogical practice

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.

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.