Assistant Principal Special Education

Hayes Park Public School is a vibrant and inclusive primary school located on Dharawal Country in suburban Dapto, on the western shores of Lake Illawarra. The school serves a growing and diverse community, with just over 600 students enrolled across 23 mainstream classes, one established Autism/IO support class and two newly approved Autism support classes commencing in 2026. Approximately 9% of students come from a non-English speaking background and just over 13% identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

We have a strong and respectful partnership with the Juborsay AECG, working closely together to enhance educational outcomes, strengthen cultural knowledge and ensure meaningful engagement with Aboriginal students, families and community.

We are a school where every child is supported, challenged and inspired to thrive. Our culture is defined by respect, curiosity, teamwork and a deep commitment to ensuring all students are known, valued and cared for. Staff, students and families work in genuine partnership to create a caring and motivating learning environment in which every learner can achieve personal excellence.

Our dedicated and highly professional staff deliver evidence based teaching and learning programs, driven by high expectations and strengthened by collaborative decision making. We are committed to ensuring that all children can learn and that every student has access to the support, challenge and enrichment they need to reach their potential. This includes tailored interventions, extension opportunities and a strong focus on high potential and gifted education.

Students at Hayes Park PS benefit from a wide range of opportunities in sport, performing arts, creative arts and extracurricular activities that build confidence, character and creativity. Our positive school culture is supported by strong wellbeing programs, restorative practices and the belief that success comes from nurturing the whole child academically, socially, emotionally and physically.

This is an exciting time to join Hayes Park PS as we continue to grow our inclusive special education classes and strengthen our cohesive, supportive and future focused school community. Further information about our school can be found on our website.

In addition to the general selection criteria, approval to teach special education and/or experience teaching students with autism, intellectual disabilities and complex learning and behavioural needs within a support class with demonstrated ability to effectively manage the dual role of Assistant Principal and exemplary special education teacher.

Proven ability to lead and develop evidence-based, evaluative practices to deliver high-quality differentiated curriculum and individualised learning programs alongside the demonstrated capacity to implement wellbeing initiatives that foster a positive, supportive and inclusive school culture and meet the diverse needs of all students.

Evidence of a highly visible, approachable and collaborative leader with a capacity to build and maintain positive, inclusive, trusting relationships and partnerships with students, families, staff, external agencies and the wider community, inclusive of managing the performance of individuals and teams across a diverse community.

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

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.

All Department of Education employees working in an SSP are required to be vaccinated as outlined at Vaccination requirements for school sites ). The successful candidate for this position will be required to confirm vaccination status prior to the department finalising their appointment and entry on duty. Find the department's latest advice on COVID-19 (coronavirus) at

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 and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion

New merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals have been introduced to provide greater clarity to applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are located here. To ensure that your application complies with the guideline page limits, your attachments must be in PDF format.