Assistant Principal - Junior School

Gate Pa School; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gate Pa School is seeking an experienced leader to join our senior leadership team as assistant principal, with responsibility for the junior school. Working alongside the principal and senior leaders, the role offers broad impact across our kura and contribution to strategic direction.

Responsibilities will include curriculum, learning support and pastoral leadership, with a focus on strengthening the New Entrant/Year 1 programme and transitions from ECE to school, and coordinating ORS

Qualifications

• Experience in leading junior-school (Years 1–8) teams.
• Proven ability to lead curriculum development and pastoral care.
• Strong relational skills and strategic implementation experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead across the junior school in partnership with team leaders.
• Strengthen New Entrant/Year 1 programmes and transitions.
• Coordinate ORS/learning support and complex needs.
• Advance curriculum and pedagogical practice with staff development.
• Strengthen school-wide pastoral and behaviour systems.
• Deliver a negotiated teaching component (release time or targeted support).
• Contribute to senior leadership team planning and strategic improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Curriculum leadership

Relationship building

Communication

Education

Teaching qualification

NZ Teacher Registration

Job description

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
3 permanent units, with the possibility of an additional fixed-term unit and/or allowance (negotiable).

Gate Pā School is seeking an experienced and capable leader to join our senior leadership team as assistant principal , with particular responsibility for the junior school.

Working alongside the principal, deputy principal and assistant principal – senior school, this role offers the opportunity to make a broad impact across our kura and contribute to our strategic direction.

Responsibilities will be shaped by our strategic priorities and the strengths of the successful applicant. The role will include curriculum, learning support and pastoral leadership and is likely to include:

• leading across the junior school, in partnership with team leaders
• strengthening the New Entrant/Year 1 programme and transition from ECE to school
• coordinating Phase 1 learning support, ORS provision, and complex learning, behavioural, and pastoral needs
• advancing curriculum and pedagogical practice, while building the capability of others
• strengthening school-wide pastoral and behaviour systems, including coordination with whānau and external agencies
• delivering a negotiated teaching component, which may encompass classroom release, ORS specialist teaching, or Tier 2/3 targeted learning support.
• contributing to school-wide planning, decision-making and strategic improvement as part of the senior leadership team

The successful applicant will demonstrate proven leadership capability, strong relational skills and a sound understanding of effective junior-school practice. They will be able to lead improvement, develop others and contribute confidently as a member of the senior leadership team.