Assistant Principal - Junior School

Gate Pā School; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Gate Pā 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, deputy principal and other senior leaders, you will influence curriculum, learning support and pastoral leadership across the kura and contribute to our strategic direction.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a school setting.
• Experience with junior-school programmes and transitions from ECE to school.

Responsibilities

• Leading across the junior school in partnership with team leaders.
• Strengthening Year 1/New Entrant transition programmes.
• Coordinating ORS provision and complex learning and pastoral needs.
• Advancing curriculum and pedagogical practice while building team capability.
• Strengthening school-wide pastoral and behaviour systems with whānau and external agencies.
• Delivering a teaching component through classroom release or targeted supports.
• Contributing to senior leadership planning and strategic improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Pastoral care

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

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

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.

Gate Pa SchoolNZ