Head Teacher - Secondary Studies - (ACIP) - Five Islands Secondary College

Job Reference 0000B5HZ
Closing date March 11, 2026, 1 a.m. (AEST)
Location Military Rd, Port Kembla 2505 NSW, Australia
Type Full-Time
Status Permanent
Contact Jenny Flowers
42740621

About this job

Position Information

Five Islands Secondary College (FISC) is a distinctive secondary school in the Illawarra region, offering personalised and inclusive educational pathways. Our dual curriculum includes the mainstream ROSA/HSC (Years 10–12) alongside the innovative Big Picture Learning program (Years 9–12), nurturing learner independence, creativity, and agency. FISC is recognised for its outstanding wellbeing initiatives, trauma-informed practices, and a supportive, flexible learning environment.

The Head Teacher Secondary Studies will provide strong, visible instructional leadership across multiple Key Learning Areas and lead the Big Picture Learning program. This role requires dynamic leadership, commitment to personalised learning, and proactive collaboration with the school executive, teachers, support staff, students, families, and external partners. The successful applicant will also be required to complete Big Picture Learning training.

Five Islands Secondary College is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applicants who are passionate about innovative leadership to join our vibrant educational community.

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, 
  1. Demonstrated expertise in developing, implementing, and managing Personalised Learning and Participation Plans for students with disabilities and/or additional learning needs.
     
  2. Highly visible and engaging instructional leader with the capacity to work collaboratively across multiple KLAs that promote a culture of high expectations, innovation, and continuous improvement to enhance student engagement and achievement.
     
  3. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to serve as a proactive and cooperative member of the school executive team, contributing to the school's strategic vision and priorities.
     
  4. In-depth knowledge of secondary curriculum frameworks, including ROSA/HSC and Big Picture Learning. Demonstrated ability to apply flexible curriculum approaches that cater to diverse student pathways and foster creativity, independence, and academic success. Willingness to lead and undertake training relevant to the Big Picture Learning program.
 
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 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

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.