Principal, U3

Southbridge School; Canterbury; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southbridge School in Canterbury invites an approachable, enthusiastic principal to lead Years 1–8 in a vibrant rural learning community. You will live our values, inspire students, staff and whānau, and steward a warm, collaborative culture.

Our ideal leader empowers staff, embraces Play-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, PB4L, and outdoor education, while responsibly overseeing administration, finance and assets in a community that honours tradition and innovation.

Qualifications

• Visionary, collaborative leader with a clear strategic vision (the 'why' and the 'how') to empower staff and foster constructive conversations.
• Visible and engaged in classrooms daily, celebrating wins and supporting lunchtime activities.
• Cares deeply about wellbeing and listens to staff, students and whānau.
• Connects with culture to nurture warm community relationships and respect the local cultural framework.
• Operational mindedness with sound school administration, finance, and asset management.

Responsibilities

• Lead Years 1–8 in a vibrant rural learning community.
• Inspire staff, students and whānau to pursue excellence and well-being.
• Embed Play-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning and PB4L in everyday practice.
• Oversee school administration, finance and asset management to keep the school thriving.

Job description

Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi, Principal

English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts

Are you a visionary, collaborative leader ready to lead a vibrant, close-knit rural learning community?

Nestled in heartland Canterbury, Southbridge School offers a unique learning environment where tradition meets innovation. From our forest, orchard, and school animals to active outdoor education and tree climbing, we embrace everything our rural setting has to offer. We are deeply committed to our core learning philosophies, including Play-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, and PB4L.

We are seeking an approachable, enthusiastic principal who truly lives our school values and brings high energy to inspire excellence in our students, staff, and whānau.

Our ideal leader will be someone who:

• Empowers and inspires– l eads with clear strategic vision (the "why" and the "how"), fosters a growth mindset, and empowers staff to shine while navigating honest, constructive conversations with confidence.
• Is visible and engaged– i n classrooms daily, encouraging learning, celebrating wins, and happily joining in on lunchtime fun.
• Cares deeply– puts wellbeing first, taking the time to listen to our ideas, stories, and dreams.
• Connects and values culture– n urtures our warm community relationships and deeply respects and champions our established cultural framework.
• Is operationally minded– b rings sound expertise in school administration, finance, and asset management to keep our school thriving.

If you are a reflective, values-driven leader who works side-by-side with staff and community to bring out the very best in everyone, we would love to hear from you!