Assistant Principal

Te Kura o Rātā Templeton School; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Kura o Rātā Templeton School in Canterbury, New Zealand, seeks an inspirational Assistant Principal to join the senior leadership team. The role focuses on pedagogy, curriculum leadership, and coaching across teaching teams to raise achievement and wellbeing among ākonga.

The successful candidate will model strong relational leadership, sustain inclusive, restorative practice, and foster bicultural partnership with te ao Māori while driving strategic direction and school improvement.

Qualifications

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with ability to build trust with students, staff, and whanau.
• Strong curriculum and pedagogical expertise across Years 1–8.
• Commitment to inclusive, strengths-based and restorative behaviour and wellbeing.
• Experience in coaching teaching teams and guiding curriculum implementation.
• A commitment to bicultural partnership and culturally responsive practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead pedagogical excellence and curriculum implementation across the school.
• Coach and develop teaching teams implementing high-quality teaching practices.
• Strengthen collaborative, high-performing team culture and wellbeing support.
• Partner with the principal and leadership team to drive strategic direction.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Curriculum leadership

Pedagogical coaching

Restorative / inclusive practice

Bicultural partnership

Job description

Assistant Principal

Full time, Permanent

Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi, Assistant principal
English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts

Te Kura o Rātā Templeton School is a vibrant, values‑driven kura just 20 minutes from the city, home to nearly 300 creative, curious ākonga and a warm, enthusiastic team grounded in respect, aroha, tenacity, and ako.

We are seeking an inspirational, relational, and forward-thinking educational leader to join our senior leadership team as assistant principal. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader with strong curriculum expertise, deep pedagogical knowledge, and a passion for coaching and growing practice across teaching teams. This full-time, permanent position includes 2 Management Units and a teaching component.

In this role, you will help drive pedagogical excellence, strengthen a collaborative and high performing team culture, and ensure high standards of achievement, engagement, and pastoral care for all ākonga. You will work closely with the principal and leadership team to shape strategic direction, lead curriculum implementation, and champion inclusive, strengths-based approaches across the school.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• outstanding interpersonal skills , with the ability to build deep relational trust with tamariki, staff, whānau, and the wider community
• strong curriculum and pedagogical expertise , including curriculum design, assessment moderation, and instructional coaching
• a strengths-based, inclusive, and restorative approach to behaviour, engagement, and pastoral wellbeing
• commitment to bicultural partnership , including enhancing cultural capability and supporting culturally responsive practice across teaching teams
• forward-thinking leadership , able to inspire others, grow capability, and contribute meaningfully to strategic direction.

Only New Zealand‑based applicants who are legally entitled to work in Aotearoa will be considered for this position.