Deputy Principal – Senior School and Pathways

Waihi College; Waikato; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Waihi College invites applications for a Deputy Principal – Senior School and Pathways. This full-time permanent role focuses on Years 11–13, including leadership of senior curriculum, NCEA implementation and pathways planning.

The appointee will oversee assessment, reporting, and NZQA quality assurance, while guiding literacy, numeracy and transition programmes. The successful candidate will shape strategic directions, build capability, and foster equitable outcomes for ākonga within a Te

Qualifications

• Current NZ practising certificate.
• Recent successful experience in secondary teaching and leadership.
• Sound knowledge of NCEA and NZQA quality-assurance requirements.
• Principal’s Nominee experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior curriculum, NCEA implementation, assessment and reporting; act as principal’s nominee.
• Monitor progress towards NCEA, literacy and numeracy co‑requisites, and university entrance; ensure timely intervention.
• Coordinate literacy and numeracy assessment entries and tracking; maintain accurate records.
• Lead academic mentoring and pathway planning for Years 11–13, including Careers, Gateway, Te Kura, subject selection and Year 10 transition.
• Contribute to timetable development and oversee KAMAR, reporting systems, schedules and senior-school events.
• Use achievement, engagement and wellbeing data to guide school improvement and staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum leadership

Assessment & reporting

NCEA

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Education

NZ practising certificate

Secondary leadership experience

Tools

KAMAR

NZQA quality assurance

Job description

Deputy Principal – Senior School and Pathways

Full time, Permanent

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 5MU and 1 SMA

Waihi College is seeking an experienced, relational and future-focused educational leader to join our senior leadership team, with particular responsibility for Years 11 to 13.

Our vision, “Where purpose meets opportunity – Kei konei tātou e tū ana | Here we stand,” reflects our commitment to ensuring every learner is known, supported and empowered to succeed. Our values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Kotahitanga and Kaitiakitanga guide how we lead, learn and work together.

The successful applicant will provide leadership across:

• Senior academic leadership and assessment: Lead senior curriculum, NCEA implementation, assessment and reporting. Act as principal’s nominee and oversee NZQA quality assurance, moderation, liaison and derived-grade examinations.
• Achievement tracking: Monitor individual progress towards NCEA, literacy and numeracy co‑requisites, and university entrance, ensuring timely intervention and support.
• Literacy and numeracy coordination: Identify students requiring assessment, coordinate entries and additional opportunities, and maintain accurate tracking and reporting.
• Pathways and transitions: Lead academic mentoring and pathway planning for Years 11 to 13, including Careers, Gateway, Te Kura, subject selection and Year 10 transition.
• Systems and operations: Contribute to timetable development and oversee KAMAR, reporting systems, schedules and key senior‑school events.
• Strategic leadership: Use achievement, engagement and wellbeing information to guide improvement, build staff capability and support school-wide planning.

We seek a leader who builds high‑trust relationships, leads with integrity and cultural responsiveness, and has an unwavering focus on equitable outcomes for ākonga. They will be strategic, highly organised, calm under pressure and committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the values of Waihi College.

A current New Zealand practising certificate and recent successful secondary teaching and leadership experience are essential. Applicants must have sound knowledge and experience of NCEA, NZQA quality‑assurance requirements and senior secondary pathways. Principal’s Nominee experience is strongly preferred.

Start date: 28 January 2027