Principal/Tumuaki

Mataroa School; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mataroa School is a rural full primary (Years 1–8) near Taihape, seeking a Principal to lead a growing community. The successful candidate will nurture lifelong learners in the classroom, the rural environment, and the wider community.

The role emphasizes relationship-building with families, staff and the district, a strong teaching standard, and continued development of outdoor programmes in a unique rural setting.

Qualifications

• Lead from the front and be known by name to every family.
• Build on the amazing work already being done at the school.
• Set a high standard for teaching and learning.
• Understand that education is the game changer in isolated areas.
• Build honest, durable relationships with students, staff, families and the district.
• Champion and grow our outdoor and environmental programme.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front and be known by name to every family.
• Build on the amazing work already being done.
• Set a high standard for teaching and learning.
• Understand that education is the game changer in isolated areas.
• Build honest, durable relationships with students, staff, families and the district.
• Champion and grow our outdoor and environmental programme.

Skills

Leadership

Community engagement

Curriculum leadership

Job description

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

Principal, Mataroa School (Years 1 to 8)

A growing school with a big backyard, near Taihape

Mataroa School is a rural full primary school near Taihape, committed to growing lifelong learners in the classroom, the rural environment, and the wider community.

Our little school is thriving, and the roll has grown substantially. We are looking for the next rock star to take us forward.

We are an unapologetically rural school. Many of our kids grow up on farms, and the outdoors drives much of what we do: learning in the native bush reserve, skiing at Turoa, calf and lamb day, winning the Rangitikei Tough Kids competition two years running, and running the school farm.

We also know education is the key to improvement for our students and community. We want someone to foster a great learning environment, build on the work of our current principal, and keep us the best country school in the Rangitikei (at least in our minds!).

Our children want someone kind and caring, fair and respectful, and a good listener.

We are looking for someone who will:

• Lead from the front and be known by name to every family.
• Build on the amazing work already being done.
• Set a high standard for teaching and learning.
• Understand that education is the game changer in isolated areas.
• Build honest, durable relationships with students, staff, families and the district.
• Champion and grow our outdoor and environmental programme.

In return, you get a supportive Board and Parent Teachers’ Association, and a great set of children to develop into confident teenagers. You also get to live in country made for people who like being outside, with the Ruapehu ski fields, the Rangitikei River and some of the best hunting, fishing and riding in the North Island.

A schoolhouse may be available.

The position commences at the start of the 2027 school year.