Head Teacher Special Education - Melonba High School

NSW Department of Education; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Melonba High School, part of the NSW Department of Education, seeks a Head Teacher Special Education to sustain inclusive, high-quality teaching for students with diverse learning needs across three classes. You will lead strategic planning and work with support services to tailor programs.

You will reinforce inclusive practices, drive curriculum adaptations and foster collaboration with families, external agencies and the school community to improve student achievement.

Qualifications

• High level understanding of the learning and support requirements of students with disabilities.
• Ability to lead a faculty with vision and purpose fostering inclusive teaching and learning.
• Capacity to work as part of a school executive team to sustain inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage students, families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of high-quality educational programs for students with diverse learning needs across 3 classes.
• Implement inclusive teaching practices, curriculum adaptations and support strategies to promote engagement and achievement.
• Work with the school executive to sustain a culture of inclusion, equity and ongoing improvement.

Skills

Educational leadership

Inclusion

Collaboration

Communication

Resource planning

Education

Full teaching approval (NSW)

Job description

Melonba High School is a school located in the new suburb of Melonba near Marsden Park. It opened in temporary premises at the start of 2024 with Years 7 and 8 students and is now our permanent premises from the beginning of 2025, now with students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. 2027 will see our first Year 11 cohort. We are experiencing rapid growth enrolment with 1112 students currently and projected to be 1450 students in 2027. When completed, the school will have capacity for 2000 students. Our first HSC cohort will be in 2028. The school incorporates an innovative and future focused educational model, reflective of agile teaching and learning areas while also supporting the welfare needs of students.

The Support Unit was established in 2025 with 2 classes and in 2027 will expand to 3 classes. The Head Teacher Special Education is responsible for leading the delivery of high-quality educational programs to students with diverse learning needs across 3 classes. This role ensures the implementation of inclusive teaching practices, curriculum adaptations, and support strategies that promote student engagement and achievement. The Head Teacher Special Education works closely with others to create and sustain the conditions in which the values of public education flourish. Their role is characterized by their educational expertise, their ability to effectively lead teams, and their strategic leadership. They are responsive to the changing circumstances specific to their students, teachers, school and community.

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

• High level understanding of the learning and support requirements of students with disabilities, including demonstrated expertise in supporting students with complex needs.
• Demonstrated ability to be a highly visible, approachable and collaborative leader with the capacity to develop inclusive, trusting relationships with the students, families, external agencies and the wider community.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead a faculty with vision and purpose fostering collective teacher efficacy and driving continuous improvement in teaching and learning to meet the needs of students with a diverse range of additional learning needs.
• A demonstrated capacity to work as part of a school executive team to continue a school-wide culture and practice of inclusion, equity and ongoing improvement.

1. Successful teaching experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice
2. Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student welfare with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs
3. Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams
4. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents
5. Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning
6. Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy

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. This advertisement qualifies for permanent part-time employment; applicants seeking either permanent full-time or permanent part-time work are encouraged to apply. Candidates must indicate their desired FTE (up to the maximum FTE of the advertised position) in their application prior to submission.

• The FTE selection is final.
• No changes (increase or decrease) will be permitted at the point of offer if you are the recommended applicant.
• If no FTE is indicated, it will be assumed you are seeking the full FTE of the advertised role.
• Recommended applicants seeking part-time employment will be appointed at their nominated FTE.
• Any remaining FTE may be offered to applicants on the eligibility list, who are not obliged to accept.

Further information can be found on the merit selection webpage. Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application. The Eligibility Requirements for Head Teacher Positions in NSW Government Schools are located here.

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 people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people.

If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage. Merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals provide clear advice for applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are available here. To meet the page limits outlined in the guidelines, all application attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. For technical support please contact School Recruitment Support at 1300 863 694.