Head Teacher Special Education

Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus is a coeducational secondary school in Port Macquarie, proudly serving the community since 1981. As one of two Year 7–12 campuses within the College and a key member of the Hastings Valley Public Schools (HVPS) network, Westport Campus is committed to excellence through collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. Students benefit from a diverse and future-focused curriculum, including specialised academies in STEM, Sport, and Creative & Performing Arts, as well as industry-standard trade training facilities and an agricultural farm. The College has gained national and international recognition in Robotics, with a program that engages students across both campuses. With an enrolment of 620 students, including 175 proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Westport Campus celebrates cultural diversity and fosters a strong sense of community. Stage 6 students have access to an extensive cross-campus curriculum, providing a wide range of subject choices that consistently support strong academic achievement. The campus features nine supported learning classes, offering a highly inclusive and nurturing environment for 60 students with additional learning needs. Through personalised programs, specialist staff, and strong family partnerships, these classes ensure that every student receives the support they need to reach their full potential. A team of dedicated and highly skilled staff work collaboratively to uphold high expectations, drive student success, and prioritise wellbeing as a foundation for lifelong learning. More information: Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus )

Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,

• Demonstrates the capacity to lead the design and implementation of individualised programs for students with disability and diverse learning needs that maximise engagement, wellbeing, and attendance.
• Evidence of a collaborative leader with the capacity to manage a diverse faculty to build and maintain positive, inclusive, trusting relationships and partnerships with students, staff, families and the wider community.
• Demonstrates a high level of effective communication and interpersonal skills to engage and coordinate external agencies and support personnel to improve the educational and wellbeing outcomes of students.
• Proven ability to collaborate as a dynamic member of an executive team, demonstrating a deep understanding of policies that support inclusion and equity.

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.

The successful applicant will be appointed to Hastings Secondary College and initially based at the Westport Campus.

The Eligibility Requirements for Head Teacher Positions in NSW Government Schools are located here.

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.