Assistant Principal Special Education

**Position Information**:
Centennial Park School provides personalised learning and support programs for students in Years 7-12, who have been diagnosed with mental health problems and/or disorders. The school has a current capacity of 56 enrollments.

Centennial Park School provides access to the core curriculum, with a focus on high quality face to face teaching. Our programs are designed for universal access. We cater to students who have missed a significant amount of school due to their mental health challenges, and to high performing students. Emphasis is given to literacy, numeracy, vocational education, social skills and the development and management of appropriate behaviours and emotional regulation.

All students are encouraged to engage in some form of therapy, either externally or within the school program, and regular school counsellor sessions are available on request. Weekly music therapy, art therapy, speech pathology are offered.

Centennial Park School is committed to delivering high quality, culturally responsive, personalised programs which engage students in a supportive learning environment and prepare students for their return to a regular secondary school or support their transition to other education and training opportunities. There is no time limit on the program and therefore students can complete their studies at Centennial Park School; this includes face to face HSC and VET, virtual and on-site TAFE options, Sydney Distance Education High School and School of Languages curriculum offerings. Centennial Park School offers the HSC over a three-year pathways model and can deliver a face-to-face ATAR via our suite of offerings.

The Assistant Principal position is a leadership role dedicated to ensuring that literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills are embedded in curriculum and assessment; high quality teaching practices are enhanced; and that quality curriculum is enhanced and refined across stages 4, 5 and 6. The Assistant Principal will also be responsible for the implementation, monitoring and compliance of HSC/VET courses and modelling exceptional teaching practice. The role may involve a teaching component. The role also shares the broader educational imperatives of the Assistant Principal position but with an explicit focus on the leadership of effective, evidence-based teaching and assessment practices, for improved student learning outcomes across the curriculum.

**Selection Criteria**:
In addition to the general selection criteria, the specific selection criteria are as follows:
1. In addition to the general selection criteria, approval to teach special education and/or experience teaching students with mental health disorders, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorder.

2. Demonstrated capacity to consult, engage and work with a variety of stakeholders within education and the community to support the mental health of students.

3. Demonstrated ability to lead and support staff through the implementation of school-wide changes to fit the changing needs of students.

4. Empathetic leadership skills that support and seamlessly integrate with the executive team in a manner that is thoughtful, reflective, and flexible.

**General Selection Criteria**:
1. Successful teaching experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice
2. Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student welfare with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs
3. Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams
4. Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents
5. Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning
6. Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy

**Conditions**:
**Special Notes**:
**About the NSW Department of Education