Teacher of ORS Students

Riccarton High School; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Riccarton High School in Canterbury seeks a Certificated teacher for the Special Education Department (Te Koroī). You will work with diverse learners with complex needs, including autism, and contribute to behaviour planning, IEP/ITP development, and staff PD in numeracy and literacy.

Experience with Expanded NZ Curriculum resources and Structured Literacy is preferred. A full NZ driver’s license is desirable; January 2027 start; visits encouraged.

Qualifications

• Ability to build connections with students with complex needs.
• Experience in implementing behaviour plans.

Responsibilities

• Teach students with diverse and complex special needs.
• Lead professional development in numeracy and literacy (preferred).
• Develop IEPs/ITPs and support LAs.
• Collaborate in a flexible, close team environment.

Skills

Autism support

Behaviour plans

Team collaboration

PD leadership

Structured Literacy

NZ Curriculum knowledge

IEP/ITP development

Driver's license

Education

Special Education papers (asset)

Job description

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

We are a small Special Education Department (Te Koroī) with 22 ORS students within Riccarton High School, a coeducational, multicultural, secondary school with a reputation for high student achievement and strong community spirit.

We require an enthusiastic teacher with passion / interest and experience in teaching students with diverse and complex special needs, who have a range of disabilities including intellectual, autism, physical and visual. Candidates could be either Primary or Secondary trained, Special Education papers an asset but not necessary.

• Being able to build connections with severe and complex autistic students is a must.
• Knowledge of implementing and developing behaviour plans is essential
• The successful candidate needs to be able to work in a flexible shared and close team environment.
• The ability to support the management and professional learning of a team of learning assistants is desirable
• Be able to teach and lead professional development of all staff in numeracy and literacy (Preferred).
• A strength in another subject area, such as dance, science, technology, art, music, etc; would be an advantage.
• Have completed the Structured Literacy training for students with complex learning needs.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the Expanded New Zealand Curriculum: Supporting Resource for Students with Complex Learning Needs.
• Have experience in developing IEP/ITPs
• Must have a full driver's licence, manual desirable.

Visits are welcomed.

This role will commence in January 2027.

Applications for this position will close Tuesday, 3 November 2026 at 12.00pm.

If you are interested in teaching and would enjoy working with a very diverse range of wonderful students, we would welcome your application.