Team Leader

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19); Whanganui; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Te Ohanui, Palmerston North Specialist School, seeks two Team Leaders to help shape culture, systems, teaching and learning programmes, and strategic direction for a new specialist school opening in 2027 in Palmerston North. You will join a founding leadership team and work with staff to drive inclusive, high-quality education for students with high and complex needs.

With a mission to enable ākonga to flourish and belong, leaders will coach and mentor teachers, implement trauma-informed

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working withākonga with high and complex needs.
• Expertise in relational behaviour support and student wellbeing strategies.
• Proven ability to coach and mentor teachers for improved learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Shape the culture, systems, teaching and learning programmes, and strategic direction of the new school.
• Lead coaching and mentoring to strengthen teaching practice.
• Collaborate with staff to foster an inclusive and high-performing school culture.

Skills

Experience with high/complex needs

Coaching and mentoring

Education

NZ Teacher Registration

Job description

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19) Manawatu/Whanganui

Full time, Permanent

Secondary (Years 7–15) / wharekura, Other senior leadership
English, Health and physical education, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology, Te reo Māori, The arts
2 MU (Permanent)

Kia tupu, kiahua| To grow, to flourish

This is a rare opportunity for visionary educators to join the founding leadership team of Palmerston North's newest school.

Opening in Term 3, 2027,TeOhanuiwill be the first specialist schoolestablishedin Aotearoa New Zealand in 50 years. The purpose-built school will provide education for up to 125ākongaaged 5 to 21 with high and complex learning needs.

We are seeking two Team Leaders to help shape the culture, systems, teaching and learning programmes, and strategic direction of this new school.

Our vision is to create a learning community where everyākongais valued, enabled to flourish, and supported to live a life of dignity, purpose, and belonging. Team Leaders will work alongside staff to strengthen teaching practice through coaching, mentoring, and a strengths-based approach, while fostering an inclusive and high-performing school culture.

AtTeOhanui, we believe joy matters. Learning thrives when ākonga and kaiako feel connected, valued, and inspired. We are looking for leaders who can nurture environments where curiosity, positive relationships, belonging, and professional growth are part of everyday learning.

You will bring

• Extensive experience working withākongawith high and complex needs.
• Expertisein relational behaviour support.
• Strength in coaching and mentoring teachers.
• Knowledge of The New Zealand Curriculum andTeTiritio Waitangi.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• A deep commitment to supportingtamariki,rangatahi, and whānau.
• Current New Zealand teacher registration and relevant qualifications.

Remuneration includes 2 permanent management units (PMUs) and one day of release time per week.

This is a career-defining opportunity to helpestablisha new specialist school and make a lasting contribution to specialist education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Ohanui (Palmerston North Specialist School) (Proposed opening date: 2027-07-19)

Physical address:
374 Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North