02 94692818
About this job
Position Information
Goonellabah Public School is located on the Northern Ridge residential area of Lismore. It serves a diverse student population of 205. 50% of the students are from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background. The school caters for a diverse range of students and aims to provide a caring, happy and safe educational environment where children can learn and develop as individuals. A small but active P&C supports the canteen and engages in school fundraising and other activities.
Goonellabah Public School accesses a number of equity programs, with funding and staff to improve learning outcomes. Staff strongly support the Aboriginal Education and Training Policy goal that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will match or better the outcomes of the broader student population.
The school has a strong focus on wellbeing and is underpinned by "The Goonellabah Way" strategy that aims to support all students through a range of social and emotional wellbeing initiatives.
The district Opportunity Class is based at the school. This class provides intellectual stimulation and an enriched environment for high potential and gifted children in Years 5 and 6. The school also has a Multicategory Support Class (MC), catering for the specific learning needs of students from the local Lismore Network.
At Goonellabah Public School there is a clear focus on collaborative practices that share expertise; systematic approaches to data use to inform teaching and learning; effective teaching and high quality feedback to enhance student ownership of learning; design thinking, STEM and innovative practices; an understanding of Aboriginal culture and pride within Aboriginal students through cultural activities and perspectives in learning; whole school practices to improve attendance and engagement.
General Selection Criteria
1. High level educational leadership with the skills to lead and manage a complex public school focused on the delivery of high quality education
2. Ability to lead and manage rigorous and inclusive whole school teaching and learning programs
3. High level communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build positive relationships and engage all levels of the school and educational community
4. Ability to lead and manage the development and performance of staff to improve teaching and learning
5. Ability to plan systems and manage resources effectively and equitably to enhance teaching and learning
6. Capacity to lead staff in implementing the Department's Aboriginal education policy and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people
Specific Selection Criteria
Approval to teach. In addition to the general selection criteria,
1. Evidence of being an approachable, highly visible and collaborative leader who actively builds strong, authentic relationships with students, staff, parents, Aboriginal families and the wider community, fostering a genuine sense of belonging and connection, underpinned by high expectations, shared decision-making and a collective responsibility for student success.
2. Demonstrated capacity to lead the development and implementation of a high-impact, student-centered School Excellence Plan (SEP) aligned with equity, excellence and the NSW Plan for Public Education to drive measurable improvement in student growth, wellbeing and achievement.
3. Proven capacity to build upon and embed strong and clear wellbeing and learning and support initiatives for diverse learners that enhance student learning outcomes within a collaborative culture that prioritises student voice and agency as key factors for success.
Conditions
Special Notes
Classification Structure for Principals:
The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award 2020 details the new principal classification structure based on complexity of schools which commenced in 2016. Please view information on the Classification structure for Principals at https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-education/salary-and-benefits/salary-and-awards/awards-and-determinations/teachers-award-initiatives#Principal2
The classification and remuneration of our school principals is based on school complexity, as measured through each school’s RAM allocation. As part of the ongoing application of the new structure a review of thresholds and outcomes will occur on an annual basis. The principal classification for this school is Principal Level P2 for 2026.
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.