Principal

Taieri College; Otago; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Taieri College in Mosgiel, Dunedin, seeks an experienced, values-driven principal to lead a co-educational community college with over 1,200 students and 130 staff. You will provide strategic, educational and pastoral leadership across the College, working with the Board, SLT, staff, students, whānau, and the wider community.

The role requires a strong understanding of the NZ Curriculum, the ability to lead new curriculum developments, and to support structured literacy and numeracy.

Qualifications

• Has senior educational leadership and management experience.
• Committed to improving learning, achievement, and wellbeing for all students.
• Understands NZ Curriculum and current secondary education changes; leads curriculum development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, educational and pastoral leadership across the College.
• Work with the Board, senior leadership team, staff, students, whānau and community to sustain a positive, inclusive, and future-focused learning environment.
• Foster strong, respectful relationships and collaborate with others; champion the ethical use of AI and digital technologies to support learning.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Financial management

Pastoral leadership

Job description

Secondary (Years 7-15) / wharekura, Principal
English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts

After 13 years of stable, progressive leadership, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, values-driven educational leader to lead Taieri College, a highly regarded co-educational community college in Mosgiel, Dunedin.

Taieri College is the largest school in Dunedin and has a roll of over 1,200 students from Years 7 to 13 and 130 staff. Situated close to Dunedin's outstanding tertiary institutions, the College enjoys a strong reputation for excellence in academic, arts, and sporting achievement, and is well supported by its whānau and wider community.

About the role

The principal will provide strategic, educational, and pastoral leadership across the College, working with the Board, senior leadership team, staff, students, whānau, and community to sustain a positive, inclusive, and future-focused learning environment.

We are looking for a leader who:

• demonstrates a genuine commitment to the education and development of young people
• has a proven record of senior educational leadership and management
• is committed to enhancing learning, achievement, and wellbeing for all students
• builds strong, respectful relationships and works collaboratively with others
• possesses strong management, financial, administrative, and performance leadership skills
• champions the effective, ethical use of AI, digital technologies, and emerging tools to support future-focused learning

About you

You will be an outstanding educator who sets clear direction, makes sound decisions, supports staff, and ensures students are at the centre of all decisions.

A strong understanding of the New Zealand Curriculum and the changes currently shaping secondary education will be essential, along with the ability to lead new curriculum developments and support effective approaches to structured literacy and numeracy.

If you have the vision, experience, and energy to guide Taieri College through its next stage of growth, we welcome your application.