Deputy Principal / Year 7- 8 Teacher

Upper Moutere School; Nelson; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development opportunities

Rural working environment

Professional learning

Job summary

Upper Moutere School in New Zealand seeks an experienced Year 7–8 classroom teacher to lead senior students and potentially take on Deputy Principal responsibilities. The role focuses on guiding students, fostering independence, critical thinking and citizenship, with units negotiable based on leadership experience.

We offer a welcoming team, strong local curriculum ties, and a supportive rural community, with ongoing professional learning and opportunities for leadership development relevant to

Qualifications

• Teaching principles and classroom management skills expected for senior primary/years 7–8.
• Strong organisational abilities for record-keeping, planning, and reporting.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and collaborative practice.
• Willingness to lead and support Deputy Principal responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an engaging, differentiated Year 7–8 curriculum with structured literacy focus.
• Manage classroom routines, assessment tracking, reporting, and student leadership.
• Foster strong relationships with students, whānau, staff and the rural community.
• Support the Principal in day-to-day operations, curriculum coordination and pastoral care.

Job description

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

Upper Moutere School is a vibrant, full primary school. We pride ourselves on our welcoming community culture, strong local curriculum ties, and high standards of learning. We are seeking a forward-thinking, highly organised educator to join our dedicated team.

The role

We are looking for an experienced Year 7-8 classroom teacher to lead our senior students. This is a unique role guiding our students, preparing them for secondary school, and fostering independence, critical thinking, and citizenship.

This position carries the opportunity for Deputy Principal responsibilities (units negotiable based on leadership experience and portfolio area).

Key responsibilities

• Senior classroom excellence:Deliver an engaging, differentiated curriculum tailored to Year 7 and 8 learners, with strong competency in structured literacy and core learning areas.
• Classroom management and administration:Bring high-level organisational skills to manage classroom routines, assessment tracking, reporting, and student leadership opportunities.
• School and community connection:Build positive, collaborative relationships with students, whānau, staff, and the wider rural community.
• Leadership experience (DP responsibilities):Assist the Principal in day-to-day school operations, curriculum coordination, PLD support, and pastoral care across the school.

Key requirements

• Teaching certification:Full registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Proven experience:Demonstrated success teaching Year 7 and 8 students, and proven leadership experience.
• Exceptional organisation:Outstanding time management, communication skills, and attention to detail in record-keeping and program planning.
• Growth mindset:Enthusiasm for continuous professional development, collaborative practice, and ongoing school improvement.
• Rural school passion:A genuine desire to embrace and contribute to a close-knit, rural school environment.

What we offer

• A welcoming, supportive, and collaborative teaching team.
• Dedicated, friendly students and a supportive local whānau community.
• A scenic rural working environment in the Tasman region with excellent work-life balance.
• Ongoing professional learning and leadership development opportunities.
• Management units available for Deputy Principal responsibilities, matched to candidate strengths.