Deputy Principal

Waitaki Girls' High School; Otago; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Waitaki Girls’ High School in Otago seeks an outstanding deputy principal to join our senior leadership team. As a practical, relational leader, you will blend strategic thinking with day‑to‑day school governance to support staff and students across years 9–15 and wharekura.

The successful applicant will have strong organisational and communication skills, a student‑centred approach and a commitment to academic achievement, wellbeing and culturally responsive leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience leading in a secondary school setting.
• Strong collaborative and relational leadership.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership on teaching and learning.
• Oversee pastoral and operational matters.
• Foster positive relationships with staff, students and whānau.
• Support student wellbeing and achievement.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Job description

Secondary (Years 7–15) / wharekura, Deputy principal English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts 1SMA and 5MU's

As part of our 2027 planning, the Waitaki Girls’ High School Board is seeking an outstanding educational leader to join our senior leadership team as deputy principal.

Waitaki Girls’ High School is a state day and boarding school for Years 9–13, proudly serving Oamaru and the wider North Otago community. We have a strong reputation for academic achievement and are committed to ensuring every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve her potential.

Our school is characterised by positive relationships, high expectations and a strong sense of belonging. We value excellence, participation and personal growth.

We are seeking an innovative, energetic and highly relational deputy principal who is passionate about making a difference for young people. The successful applicant will be an experienced secondary school leader who can combine strategic thinking with the practical realities of day‑to‑day school leadership.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and communicate clearly with staff, students and whānau.
• Sound judgement and adaptability, remaining calm, solutions-focused and effective in a busy school environment.
• Proven leadership capability within a secondary school, with an understanding of educational, pastoral and operational leadership.
• A strong focus on teaching and learning, continuous improvement and raising outcomes for all learners.
• A student‑centred approach, strengthening achievement, engagement, leadership, wellbeing and pathways.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive leadership.
• Collaborative and empathetic leadership, building strong professional relationships and contributing positively to a cohesive team.
• Visibility, initiative and energy, with a willingness to be actively involved in school life and contribute wherever needed.

Above all, we are looking for a practical, positive and relational leader who understands that effective school leadership is built on strong relationships, high expectations, teamwork and a genuine commitment to young people.

Join us in helping every student create a positive future.