Acting Principal, Commencing 2027

Awanui School; Northland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Awanui School, a small rural kura in the Far North serving Years 1–6, seeks an acting principal for three terms during parental leave, commencing Term 1, 2027. The role includes teaching a New Entrant/Year 1 class for part of the week and leading across the school.

The successful candidate will be a registered NZ teacher with a current practising certificate, bringing strong senior leadership, positive relationships with whānau, staff, and the wider community, and a solid knowledge of the NZ

Qualifications

• Registered New Zealand teacher with current practising certificate.
• Experience in senior leadership roles or secondments considered.
• Demonstrated strong classroom teaching with junior/new entrant students.
• Collaborative, values-driven leadership with ability to hit the ground running.

Responsibilities

• Acting principal for three terms during parental leave; provide leadership and direction across the school.
• Teach a new entrant/Year 1 class part of the week while supporting whole-school leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum knowledge

Assessment practices

Team collaboration

Education

NZ teaching qualification

Job description

Full time, Fixed term, Start Date: 28/01/2027, End Date: 10/10/2027 (Parental Leave)

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

Commencing Term 1, 2027 (date to be confirmed).

Awanui School is seeking an experienced and passionate educational leader to serve as acting principal for three terms while our principal is on parental leave.

Awanui School caters for students in Years 1–6. We are a small rural school in the Far North with a strong sense of whānau and community connections, with a commitment to the success and wellbeing of every learner.

The successful applicant

• Registered New Zealand teacher with a current practising certificate.
• Experience in a senior leadership role (secondments will be considered).
• Demonstrate a strong record of effective classroom teaching, ideally with junior and new entrant students.
• Collaborative, values-driven leadership style and the ability to hit the ground running.
• Committed to fostering positive relationships with students, staff, whānau, and the wider community.
• Sound knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum and effective assessment practices.
• Demonstrate strong organisational, communication, and leadership skills.

Teaching component

This is a teaching principal position, and the successful applicant will teach a new entrant/Year 1 class for part of the week while providing leadership across the school.

We offer a rewarding leadership experience in a unique Far North setting.