Head of Strings

Caulfield Grammar School; Saint Kilda Junction; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

12% Superannuation

Continuous professional development

Free onsite parking

Health & Wellbeing activities

Employee Assistance Program

BENY discounts

Job summary

Caulfield Grammar School seeks an inspirational String Teacher and Head of Strings to lead across multiple campuses. You will teach beginner to VCE level, direct ensembles and guide student pathways to high-quality string performance.

Reporting to the Director of Music, you will manage a team of string staff, coordinate auditions, rehearsals and events, and contribute to Caulfield's major music programs and tours with a strong focus on student development and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Music (performance and/or education).
• Teaching qualification and full VIT registration.
• String performance of a high standard and practising musician.
• Proven record as an exemplary string teacher from beginner to VCE.
• Capacity to engage and inspire students across ages.
• Experience leading a high-quality instrumental teaching team.

Responsibilities

• Teach individual and small-group string lessons from beginner to VCE, including AMEB and VCE preparation.
• Direct string ensembles, lead rehearsals and performances across campuses.
• Plan and deliver the department's ensembles, auditions and events.
• Lead staff recruitment and oversee timetables, leave and cover arrangements.
• Coordinate student recruitment and retention using term data.

Job description

Caulfield Grammar School is an internationally recognised, independent, co-educational school committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities from Early Learning through Year 12. With over 3700 students across 4 campuses and our Student Experience Programs in Yarra Junction and Kakadu, Caulfield Grammar passionately strives to deliver innovative specialist educational programs enabling quality learning every day, in every experience, for every learner, for life.

Music at Caulfield Grammar School is among the largest school music programs in Australia, with around 90 music staff and 100 ensembles across our campuses, thousands of students in weekly instrumental and vocal tuition, and a full calendar of concerts and events, including the biennial School Concert at Hamer Hall, Generations in Jazz and international tours.

The Role

We are seeking an inspiring String Teacher and leader while our Head of Strings is on long service leave. You will teach strings and lead the Strings department across all campuses, from beginner lessons through to VCE, external examinations and the School's most advanced string ensembles.

Reporting to the Director of Music, you will lead a team of specialist string teachers, guarantee the quality and consistency of string tuition, and build the department's ensembles, recruitment and student pathways so that every student has the opportunity to take part in a high-quality strings program. Working closely with Campus Heads of Music, Heads of Faculty (Music) and fellow Heads of Instrumental Music, you will connect weekly tuition with the classroom music program and the calendar of rehearsals, soirees, concerts, festivals and tours.

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), fixed term position for Terms 1 to 3, 2027: 0.6 FTE teaching strings and 0.4 FTE as Head of Strings, with a Position of Responsibility allowance (POR3). It starts in January 2027, finishes on 19 September 2027 and works across our Caulfield, Wheelers Hill, Malvern and Shelford campuses. We welcome applications from current staff and external candidates.

Key Duties

• Teach individual and small-group string lessons from beginner to VCE level, including AMEB and VCE examination preparation
• Direct string ensembles, leading rehearsals, sectionals and performances
• Foster young talent and model energetic, innovative teaching practice that motivates aspiring musicians
• Mark rolls on time, report on student progress and keep families informed
• As Head of Strings (0.4 FTE), you will:
• Lead, develop and support the department's string teachers through coaching conversations, Professional Growth check-ins and targeted professional learning
• Uphold high standards of string tuition from beginner to VCE, including repertoire, technical development and preparation for VCE and AMEB examinations
• Oversee the department's ensemble program, including auditions, placements and student leadership roles
• Plan and deliver the department's soirees, concerts, festival entries and events across campuses, and contribute to the School's major music events
• Lead staff recruitment for the department with People and Culture, and oversee timetables, leave, cover and make-up lesson arrangements
• Lead student recruitment and retention, using participation, retention and attendance data each term to plan and act early
• Allocate students to teachers across campuses, balancing loads, continuity and specialisation
• Ensure the department's rolls are marked accurately and on time, recognising that tuition records drive both family billing and staff pay
• Manage the department's budget, instruments, instrument hire and music library
• Communicate clearly with families, and engage with Friends of Music and our campus communities
• Model and live the Caulfield Grammar School values and behaviours

Skills and Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in Music (performance and/or education); postgraduate qualifications desirable
• Teaching qualification and full VIT registration
• String performance of a high standard, with the credibility of a practising musician
• A proven record as an exemplary string teacher from beginner to VCE and external examination level
• Capacity to engage and inspire students of all ages, from beginners to senior musicians
• Experience leading a high-quality instrumental teaching team, including coaching, feedback and performance management
• String ensemble direction and conducting experience
• Confident use of data, and of scheduling, roll-marking and student management systems
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills; experience working across multiple campuses is an advantage
• A current Employment Working With Children Check

For further information please see Position Description.

Why Caulfield Grammar School

Our culture is defined by the five values: Pursuing Excellence, Inspiring Creativity, Thriving Together, Embracing Diversity, and Living Wholeheartedly. These values guide the way we work together with passion and authenticity based on our guiding principle of a Mind for Life.

For more information about pursuing a career of excellence at Caulfield Grammar School, please visit our Careers Page.

• Competitive base and 12% Superannuation
• Continuous professional development opportunities
• Access to outstanding facilities and resources with free onsite parking
• Health & Wellbeing activities throughout the year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Access to BENY with discounts exclusive to Caulfield employees

Enquiries: **********@caulfieldgs.vic.edu.au