Principal Level P4 - Fairfield High School

NSW Government; Sydney; On-site; AUD 229,000 - 259,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Department of Education seeks a Principal Level P4 for Fairfield High School in the Sydney region. The role leads a comprehensive secondary school with an Intensive English Centre and diverse student needs, driving excellence and inclusive practices.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, and a focus on student wellbeing. The successful candidate will collaborate with families, staff, and external partners to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• High level educational leadership
• Ability to lead and manage a complex public school
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan systems and manage resources
• Knowledge of Aboriginal education policy and outcomes

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a complex school environment including mainstream classrooms, Intensive English Centre, and support units
• Drive whole-school excellence through inclusive, cohesive practices
• Foster a supportive, high-expectations school environment and amplify student voice
• Strengthen connections with parents, carers, community and stakeholders to enhance learning

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Community partnerships

Student wellbeing focus

Job description

Job Description - Principal Level P4 - Fairfield High School (0000BDRV)

Principal Level P4 - Fairfield High School - 0000BDRV

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Location

Sydney Region

Advertisement Number A900158611

Number of Positions

1

Total Remuneration Package: The total remuneration package will be $259,196.00. This classification attracts a base salary of $229,288.00.

School Name Fairfield High School

Principal Network Fairfield

FTE 1.000

Contact Phone number 0478878172

Contact School Admin - 99999999

Closing Date

25-Nov-2026, 5:00:00 AM

Job Category

TCH Other

Organisation

Teaching Service

Position Information

Fairfield High School is a comprehensive secondary school located in South-West Sydney, proudly serving a diverse and multicultural community. The current enrolment is 1091 students, with 95% from a language background other than English and approximately 50% from a refugee background. Students represent over 50 different home languages, with the predominant cultural groups being Arabic, Assyrian, and Vietnamese. There are 10 students who identify as being of Aboriginal heritage.

A well-established Intensive English Centre operates on site as part of the high school community, catering to newly arrived students from overseas, refugees, and international students. The school has 7 special education classes that support students with intellectual disabilities and autism. The current Family Occupation and Education Index for the school is 200.

The staff includes 150 teaching and non-teaching members, including five deputy principals. The team comprises of both experienced and early-career educators, working collaboratively towards a shared vision of improving educational outcomes for all students. Staff are dedicated, foster a culture of high expectations, and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance learning and achievement.

There is a strong focus on academic excellence alongside supporting student wellbeing and diverse learning needs. The school employs targeted staff such as Student Learning Support Officers, Community Liaison Officers, a Student Support Officer, and engages allied health services to cater for the varied student needs.

The school maintains close ties with its culturally and linguistically diverse community and has strong partnerships with community organisations to support students and families. Students participate in a broad range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, debating, charitable causes, and student leadership initiatives.

The school prides itself on fostering a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing culture that empowers learners with the values, skills, and knowledge to support success in all areas of school life, promote lifelong learning, and develop the ability to thrive as positive citizens in society.

Specific Selection Criteria

• A strong, visible, approachable and inspiring leader with success in building authentic relationships and effective partnerships to collaboratively deliver excellence in education.
• Demonstrated capability to strategically lead and manage a complex school environment encompassing mainstream classrooms, an Intensive English Centre, and a large support unit, driving whole-school excellence through the development and implementation of inclusive, cohesive practices that ensure outstanding educational outcomes for every student across all settings.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and nuture a supportive and high expectations school environment that prioritises and enhances student wellbeing, addresses the diverse needs of students and amplifies student voice and agency.
• Demonstrated success in nuturing and strengthening connections with parents and carers, the wider community and key stakeholders to enrich learning experiences and student achievement.

General Selection Criteria

1. High level educational leadership with the skills to lead and manage a complex public school focused on the delivery of high quality education

2. Ability to lead and manage rigorous and inclusive whole school teaching and learning programs

3. High level communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build positive relationships and engage all levels of the school and educational community

4. Ability to lead and manage the development and performance of staff to improve teaching and learning

5. Ability to plan systems and manage resources effectively and equitably to enhance teaching and learning

6. Capacity to lead staff in implementing the Department's Aboriginal education policy and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people

Conditions

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.

Special Notes

Classification Structure for Principals:

The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024 details the new principal classification structure based on complexity of schools which commenced in 2016. Please view information on the Classification structure for Principals at https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/salary-and-benefits/salary-and-awards/awards-and-determinations/teachers-award-initiatives#Principal2

The classification and remuneration of our school principals is based on school complexity, as measured through each school’s RAM allocation. As part of the ongoing application of the new structure a review of thresholds and outcomes will occur on an annual basis.The principal classification for this school is Principal Level P4 for 2026 and Principal Level P5 for 2027.

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, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please contact the hiring manager using the contact details provided above. For more information, visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion

We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge theircontinued connection to their country and culture.