Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education

St Andrew's Cathedral School; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

St Andrew's Cathedral School seeks an exceptional Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education to lead Kindergarten to Year 6 with warmth, integrity and strategic vision.

You will shape the educational direction across the Junior School and Gawura, aligning curriculum, wellbeing and stakeholder partnerships to support student growth and a strong K-12 journey within a Christian Anglican context.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in Education, Educational Leadership or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience as a highly effective classroom teacher and educational leader in a primary school environment.
• Demonstrated success leading teaching and learning, student wellbeing and staff performance.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary educational research, evidence-informed practice and curriculum leadership.
• A current, valid NSW Working with Children Check.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, relational and strategic leadership across the Junior School and Gawura.
• Lead excellence in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting, promoting evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement in student outcomes.
• Maintain a strong focus on student growth, engagement and achievement, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
• Lead the Junior School approach to student wellbeing, pastoral care, behaviour and development, fostering a positive, restorative and child-safe culture.
• Provide strategic oversight of Gawura and First Nations education, working in close partnership with the Head of Gawura School.
• Champion reconciliation, culturally responsive practice and the authentic inclusion of First Nations histories, cultures and perspectives across school life.
• Lead, mentor and develop teaching, operational and leadership staff, building a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Use student learning, achievement and wellbeing data to inform decision-making, intervention and continuous improvement.
• Build strong and trusted partnerships with students, staff, parents, carers and the wider School community.

Skills

Educational leadership

Curriculum leadership

Strategic planning

Staff development

First Nations education

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in Education or Educational Leadership

Job description

Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education

St Andrew's Cathedral School is an innovative, independent Anglican school located in the heart of Sydney. Guided by our vision to educate generations to know their infinite worth and develop their gifts for a purpose, leading with hope as co-creators of a responsible future, we are committed to academic excellence, authentic Christian faith, and the holistic development of every student.

We are looking for an exceptional, authentic, future-focused educational leader to join our Senior Executive Team as Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an accomplished primary educator who combines educational excellence and strategic leadership with a deep commitment to Christian service, community and the learning and wellbeing of children.

The successful candidate will provide strategic, educational, pastoral and operational leadership across the Primary School, incorporating the Junior School and Gawura, ensuring every student is known, challenged and supported to thrive

What is the Role?

Reporting to the Head of School and working closely with the Senior Executive Team, Primary School leadership teams and Head of Gawura School, the Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education will shape the educational direction and student experience across Kindergarten to Year 6.

As a member of the Senior Executive Team, the role will also bring a Primary School perspective to whole-school strategy, planning and decision-making, contributing to a coherent and connected K-12 student journey.

This is a permanent, full-time role.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide visible, relational and strategic leadership across the Junior School and Gawura.
• Lead excellence in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting, promoting evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement in student outcomes.
• Maintain a strong focus on student growth, engagement and achievement, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
• Lead the Junior School approach to student wellbeing, pastoral care, behaviour and development, fostering a positive, restorative and child-safe culture.
• Provide strategic oversight of Gawura and First Nations education, working in close partnership with the Head of Gawura School.
• Champion reconciliation, culturally responsive practice and the authentic inclusion of First Nations histories, cultures and perspectives across school life.
• Lead, mentor and develop teaching, operational and leadership staff, building a collaborative, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Use student learning, achievement and wellbeing data to inform decision-making, intervention and continuous improvement.
• Build strong and trusted partnerships with students, staff, parents, carers and the wider School community.
• Provide effective oversight of key Primary School operations, programs, enrolments, transitions and community events.
• Contribute to significant School priorities including the Strategic Plan, Gawura Strategic Plan, Waratah Project and Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Model and actively promote the School’s Vision, Enduring Purpose, Foundational Principles and Christian ethos.

About you

You will be an accomplished education leader with the ability to combine strategic thinking and educational expertise with warmth, integrity, sound judgement and a genuine passion for Primary education.

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to Christian education and the Anglican ethos of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, with the capacity to lead through integrity, humility, compassion and service.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Education, Educational Leadership or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience as a highly effective classroom teacher and educational leader in a primary school environment.
• Demonstrated success leading teaching and learning, student wellbeing and staff performance.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary educational research, evidence-informed practice and curriculum leadership.
• A proven ability to improve student learning outcomes through the effective use and analysis of achievement and wellbeing data.
• A strong commitment to educational excellence, including high standards in literacy and numeracy.
• Demonstrated success in leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, professional judgement, integrity and resilience.
• A collaborative and consultative leadership approach, combined with the confidence and capability to lead strategic change and make sound decisions.
• Strong strategic, organisational and operational leadership capability.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive education, including an understanding of practices that support the engagement, wellbeing and educational outcomes of First Nations students.
• The capacity to contribute effectively as a member of a K-12 Senior Executive Team.
• A commitment to ongoing professional learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
• A genuine passion for the learning, wellbeing and development of children.
• A current, valid, paid, NSW Working with Children Check.

Experience leading First Nations education, reconciliation and cultural inclusion initiatives, and building authentic partnerships with First Nations students, families and communities will be highly regarded.

Our Vision in Action

The Head of Junior School / Director of Primary Education will play an important role in bringing the School vision to life by creating an educational environment in which students are encouraged to:

• understand their inherent value and infinite worth;
• discover and develop their individual gifts and strengths;
• pursue excellence in learning and personal growth;
• lead with hope, courage, compassion and purpose; and
• develop a strong sense of responsibility, service and contribution to others.

Through strong educational leadership and a deep understanding of the formative Primary years, the role will help establish the foundations for each student's connected K-12 journey at St Andrew's Cathedral School.

A detailed position description is attached, top right hand side.

Interviews will commence as applications are received.

See here for further employment benefits at SACS:https://www.sacs.nsw.edu.au/employment/

About our students

Our students are encouraged to think deeply, critically and creatively, act courageously, and engage meaningfully with the world around them, with hearts that love, minds that grow and lives that give . We seek to nurture young people who will not simply adapt to the future but help shape it for the better.

Child Safety

St Andrew's Cathedral School is a child safe organisation. Our School promotes the safety and wellbeing and inclusion of all students. In support of SACS' commitment to embedding child safety (Standard 1), we ensure that our staff are suitable for working with children and young people and that they are supported (Standard 5).

Staff are required to maintain a child safe culture, act in every child's best interest and to keep them safe from harm, in accordance with the School’s policies and procedures (Standard 10) which reflect the Child Safe Standards.

It is a condition of employment that all new Staff at the School must sign a written statement or complete an electronic acknowledgement that they have read and understand our Child Safe Policy and the Child Safe Codes of Conduct prior to commencing at the School.

Prior to employment at the School, this position requires the successful applicant to havea Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

For more information on Working with Children Checks, please visit the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian website