Head Teacher Human Society and its Environment - Katoomba High School

Permanent full-time job at Katoomba High School (Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia) recruited via NSW Department of Education (Sydney NSW, Australia)
Job Reference 0000B9S1
Closing date May 27, 2026, 2 a.m. (AEST)
Location Martin St, Katoomba 2780 NSW, Australia
Type Full-Time
Status Permanent
Contact Brigid Gibson
4782 2622

About this job

Position Information

Katoomba High School in the Upper Blue Mountains rests on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra people whose elders provide a strong connection between the school and the original owners.

School comprises 800 students with 8% Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 4% EAL/D and 15% from a language background other than English. The school hosts a large Inclusive Education Faculty with ten classes catering for students with learning, physical and behavioural disabilities, as well as autism and anxiety. Most students are drawn from eight local primary schools with which the high school has developed strong partnerships.

At Katoomba High School we have a focus on explicit teaching practices that are based on trust and respect. We value curiosity, creativity and courage. Student classroom experiences are enhanced by access to Birriban, our Aboriginal site on school grounds that is central to many student learning activities. In addition, students engage in outdoor education, mentoring, work placement, enrichment programs, creative and performing arts programs, and study skills programs.

Katoomba High School is a place where students are encouraged to observe, enquire, and engage deeply with the world. Students are supported to be thoughtful learners and bold creators, discovering who they are by exploring what is possible. They learn to observe, absorb, adapt and understand, and then to express their own voice with confidence and clarity. Our students leave our school not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to express themselves, the courage to follow their own path, and the voice to shape their future.

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
Specific Selection Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,
Demonstrated ability to lead staff across HSIE subjects in the design and delivery of high quality curriculum through differentiated teaching and learning and assessment practices within a school culture of high expectations.
Demonstrated leadership to cater for the learning needs of all students, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, to ensure inclusivity and improve educational outcomes for all learners.
Proven ability to be a collaborative and visible leader with the capacity to lead, support and monitor whole school initiatives and priorities to enhance student learning and engagement.
Demonstrated ability to be a committed and dynamic member of the executive leadership team and to contribute to the leadership of the school’s strategic directions.
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.

 

Special Notes

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 people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

Merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals provide clear advice for applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are available here. 

To meet the page limits outlined in the guidelines, all application attachments must be submitted in PDF format. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

 

Apply now