Head of Middle School

St Andrew's Cathedral School; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney seeks a Head of Middle School to lead Years 7–9 with a strong focus on curriculum, teaching excellence and student wellbeing. The role sits on the school’s Executive Team, shaping strategy and culture across the middle years within a faith-guided, high-performing community.

The successful applicant will combine strategic leadership with deep commitment to Christian education, relationships, and the development of young people, driving engagement, literacy

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in Education or Educational Leadership.
• Extensive experience as a highly effective secondary teacher and educational leader.
• Proven success leading teaching and learning, student wellbeing and school culture.
• Ability to use learning and wellbeing data to improve student outcomes.
• Commitment to reconciliation and First Nations education.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, strategic leadership across Years 7–9.
• Drive excellence in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting.
• Lead student wellbeing, pastoral care and behavior.
• Oversee enrolment, transitions, communications and budgets.
• Contribute to whole-school strategy and the student journey.

Skills

Educational leadership

Strategic leadership

Curriculum development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Education

Job description

1d ago , from St Andrew's Cathedral School

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 and future-focused educational leader to join our Executive Team as Head of Middle School.

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

The successful candidate will provide strategic, educational, pastoral and operational leadership for Years 7–9, creating a high-performing, orderly and connected Middle School where students are known, challenged and supported to thrive academically, personally and spiritually.

About the Role

Reporting to the Deputy Head of School (Secondary) and working closely with the Middle School Leadership Team and other key School leaders, the Head of Middle School will shape the educational direction, culture and student experience across Years 7–9.

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

The successful candidate will:

• Provide visible, relational and strategic leadership across the Middle School.
• Drive excellence in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and reporting, promoting evidence-informed practice, explicit teaching and continuous improvement.
• Maintain high expectations for student growth, engagement and achievement, with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.
• Lead the Middle School approach to student wellbeing, pastoral care, behaviour and development, fostering an orderly, positive, restorative and child‑safe culture.
• Use student learning, attendance, behavioural and wellbeing data to inform decision‑making, intervention and continuous improvement.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Gawura School to strengthen connections with First Nations education and champion reconciliation and culturally responsive practice.
• Lead, mentor, coach and develop Middle School staff, building a collaborative, accountable and high‑performing culture.
• Build strong and trusted partnerships with students, staff, parents and carers through visible, responsive and relational leadership.
• Lead and support enrolment, orientation and transition processes across Years 7–9, ensuring students experience a strong sense of connection and belonging.
• Provide effective oversight of key Middle School operations, administration, communications, resources, budgets, events and programs.
• Contribute to whole‑school strategic priorities and work collaboratively with K–12 leaders to strengthen the student journey.
• Model and actively promote the School’s Vision, Enduring Purpose, Foundational Principles and Christian ethos.

About you

You will be an accomplished secondary educational leader with the ability to combine strategic thinking and educational expertise with warmth, integrity, sound judgement and a genuine understanding of the distinctive developmental needs of young people in Years 7–9.

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to Christian education and the Anglican ethos of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, including active involvement in an Anglican Church or similar Christian community.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Education, Educational Leadership or a related discipline, with extensive experience as a highly effective secondary teacher and educational leader.
• Demonstrated success leading teaching and learning, student wellbeing, pastoral care, behaviour and school culture, underpinned by contemporary research and evidence‑informed practice.
• A proven ability to use learning, achievement and wellbeing data to improve student outcomes, with high expectations for literacy, numeracy, engagement and achievement.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop high‑performing teams, with exceptional communication and relationship‑management skills.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, professional judgement, integrity and resilience, with a collaborative leadership style and the confidence to set clear expectations, make sound decisions and lead change.
• Strong strategic, organisational and operational leadership capability, with the capacity to contribute effectively as a member of a K–12 Executive Team.
• A demonstrated commitment to reconciliation and culturally responsive education, strengthening the engagement, wellbeing and educational outcomes of First Nations students.
• A commitment to professional learning, innovation and continuous improvement, and a genuine passion for the learning, wellbeing and development of young people.
• A current Working with Children Check.

Experience building authentic partnerships with First Nations students, families and communities, and developing staff capability to embed First Nations perspectives across curriculum and school culture, will be highly regarded.

Our Vision in Action

The Head of Middle School will play an important role in bringing the School vision to life during the formative Middle School years, 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;
• develop independence, resilience, responsibility and self‑discipline;
• lead with hope, courage, compassion and purpose; and
• develop a strong sense of responsibility, service and contribution to others.

Through strong educational and pastoral leadership, the Head of Middle School will help students successfully navigate the important transition from childhood towards greater independence, establishing strong foundations for their continued journey through Secondary School and beyond.

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

Interviews will commence as applications are received.

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.