Principal Level P5 – Rutherford Technology High School

Mobile; North (SC); On-site; USD 148,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutherford Technology High School, part of the NSW Department of Education, seeks a Principal Level P5 to lead the Maitland Principal Network and guide a diverse school community across central and northern Maitland towns.

The successful candidate must hold full approval to teach, demonstrate outstanding leadership, improve attendance and engagement, apply the Department’s Our Plan for Public Education, and build strong relationships with interagency partners and local businesses to enhance

Qualifications

• Proven ability to improve attendance, retention and student engagement across a diverse and highly complex school.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluative practice to enhance programs within existing resources.
• Ability to lead the school to engage deeply and authentically with the whole school community including interagency partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage high-quality education delivery across a diverse school community.
• Engage with interagency partners and local business community to support student success.
• Develop and implement whole school teaching and learning programs.

Skills

Educational leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Change management

Data-driven decision making

Job description

Principal Level P5 – Rutherford Technology High School – 0000BEPM.

Location

Central & North Coasts – Newcastle & Hunter Valley Advertisement Number A900159467

Number of Positions

1 Total Remuneration Package: The total remuneration package will be $267,069.00. This classification attracts a base salary of $236,318.00. School Name Rutherford Technology High School Principal Network Maitland Staffing Area Maitland FTE 1.000 Contact Name Tony Gadd Contact Phone number 0437549355 Contact School Admin – 99999999

Closing Date

18-Nov-2026, 5:00:00 AM

Job Category

TCH Other

Organisation

Teaching Service Position Information Rutherford Technology High School 8572 – Family Occupation and Education Index (FOEI 134), Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA 917) was established in 1985 catering for a diverse community. The school is situated within rapidly growing western Maitland and partners with schools in the Maitland Principal Network. The school services a diverse and geographically widespread community from Telarah up the New England Highway to North Rothbury and Branxton.

The school’s enrolment was1406 at the commencement of 2026 including 13 inclusion and support classes, 25% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and 12% of the student population from non-English speaking backgrounds. The school has strong ties with the Aboriginal community, a close association with the Maitland Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and an Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre. The school has a proud tradition of providing quality and highly successful programs in STEM, the creative arts, sport and a variety of extra curricula activities. Rutherford Technology High School is one of six schools who are part of the Rutherford Learning Community (RLC) forming a strong and innovative Local Management Group with a P-12 focus.

Specific Selection Criteria Approval to teach. In addition to the general selection criteria,

1. Proven ability to improve attendance, retention and student engagement across a diverse and highly complex school focused on improving student outcomes for all learners.

2. Demonstrated expertise in highly effective evaluative practice to enhance established successful school programs within existing school resources.

3. Outstanding awareness of and the skills to utilise the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Our Plan for Public Education’ and associated current system priorities to improve teacher practice including the ability to manage and integrate change successfully across a large, diverse and complex school community.

4. Ability to lead the school to engage deeply and authentically with the whole school community to support student success including strengthening relationships with interagency partners and the local business community. General Selection Criteria 1. High level educational leadership with the skills to lead and manage a complex public school focused on the delivery of high quality education

5. Ability to lead and manage rigorous and inclusive whole school teaching and learning programs

6. High level communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build positive relationships and engage all levels of the school and educational community

7. Ability to lead and manage the development and performance of staff to improve teaching and learning

8. Ability to plan systems and manage resources effectively and equitably to enhance teaching and learning

9. Capacity to lead staff in implementing the Department’s Aboriginal education policy and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people Conditions An unconditional full approval to teach is a requirement. If you do not hold a full approval to teach with the NSW Department of Education, you are required to commence the application process at the same time as you apply for this teaching opportunity.

The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2024 details the new principal classification structure based on complexity of schools which commenced in 2016. Please view information on the Classification structure for Principals at https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/salary-and-benefits/salary-and-awards/awards-and-determinations/teachers-award-initiatives#Principal2

The classification and remuneration of our school principals is based on school complexity, as measured through each school’s RAM allocation. As part of the ongoing application of the new structure a review of thresholds and outcomes will occur on an annual basis. The principal classification for this school is Principal Level P5 for 2026 and Principal Level P5 for 2027.

Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.

About the NSW Department of Education

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, neurodiverse people and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please contact the hiring manager using the contact details provided above. For more information, visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion