Northcote High is a vibrant co-educational school in the inner north of Melbourne. The school has a rich intellectual culture that promotes connection with the community and with learning. Northcote High is a proudly local school appreciated by its community with an enrolment of almost 1700 students and 150 staff.
Our teachers explicit focus on classroom instruction, on building relationships and on knowing students as learners is fundamental to maintaining outstanding outcomes for students. We are focused on creating the conditions for success through a commitment to shared practice, reflective collegial work and implementing the schools agreed frameworks to support and extend all learners. Teachers as learners is an integral part of our vision and values, and we provide a comprehensive school led professional learning and enrichment program. The expertise and dedication of the staff is undoubtedly a strength of the school and our goal to be an employer of choice is supported by the range of development opportunities we seek for our staff.
In 2026 the school is celebrating its centenary and being one of only a few public high schools to continuously offer an excellent secondary education throughout this time. We remain steadfastly focused on maintaining a tradition of academic excellence, whilst developing innovative teaching and learning programs to equip our students with the skills required for a changing future. Our vibrant co-curricular programs provide valuable opportunities for students to learn, grow and build community in and beyond the school. International engagement is also a feature of the school. We celebrate a sister school program in China for over 25 years, and a vibrant international student program.
Key documents for applicants such as our Teaching and Learning Framework, curriculum models, AIP and Strategic Plan can be viewed on our school website.
For more information visit www.nhs.vic.edu.au
SC1 Demonstrated expert knowledge of the relevant curriculum. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage the implementation of school priorities, and the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum.
SC2 Demonstrated ability to lead the planning and implementation of high impact teaching strategies that respond to student learning needs. Demonstrated ability to support teachers to evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.
SC3 Demonstrated exemplary ability to monitor and assess student learning at a class, cohort or whole-school level and use this data to lead improvement initiatives. Demonstrated ability to support others in using data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.
SC4 Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative relationships with students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community focused on student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.
SC5 Demonstrated ability to model behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values and support colleagues to adopt these behaviours and attitudes. Demonstrated ability to reflect upon their own, others and whole-school practice and contribute to the provision of whole-school professional learning.
SC6 Demonstrated capacity to lead a junior sub-school team and implement effective transition processes that foster a safe, connected, inclusive and aspirational learning culture. Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with students, families and staff, and to lead restorative, evidence-informed approaches to student engagement, wellbeing and behaviour.
Leading teachers will be highly skilled classroom practitioners and undertake leadership and management roles commensurate with their salary range. The role of leading teachers is to improve the skill, knowledge and performance of the teaching workforce in a school or group of schools and to improve the curriculum program of a school.
Typically, leading teachers are responsible for coordinating a number of staff to achieve improvements in teaching and learning which may involve the coordination and professional support of colleagues through modelling, collaborating and coaching and using processes that develop knowledge, practice and professional engagement in others.
Leading teachers are expected to lead and manage a significant area or function within the school with a high degree of independence to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program.
Leading teachers will be expected to make a significant contribution to policy development relating to teaching and learning in the school. A leading teacher has a direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals.
Leading teachers are usually responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan.
In recognition of the importance of leadership and management combined with exemplary teaching practice for improved student learning outcomes, the key roles of the leading teachers may include but are not limited to:
- Leading and managing the implementation of whole-school improvement initiatives related to the school strategic plan and school priorities
- Leading and managing the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery;
- Leading and managing the provision of professional development and developing individual and team development plans for teaching staff within the priorities of the school;
- Leading and managing staff performance and development (review of staff);
- Teaching demonstration lessons;
- Leading and managing the development of the school's assessment and reporting policies and practices;
- Leading and managing the implementation of the school operations and policies related to student welfare and discipline;
- Leading the development of curriculum in a major learning area and participating in curriculum development in other areas;
- Responsibility for general discipline matters beyond the management of classroom teachers;
- Contributing to the overall leadership and management of the school;
- Contributing to the development of proposals for school council consideration;
- Developing and managing the school code of conduct.
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Advice to Applicants
Prospective applicants are advised to refer to the school website, under the employment section, in order to access the full information package relevant to this position www.nhs.vic.edu.au
Written Applications
Applicants are free to structure applications in any manner they choose, but must ensure that the following are included:
A specific response to all of the Key Selection Criteria and position details MUST be supplied. It is suggested that applicants limit their response to no more than 1 page (size 11) per criterion.
A Cover Letter providing contact information including home address, email and phone number as well as the phone number of the work address at which the applicant can be contacted. A CV with a summary of experience and qualifications
The names, email addresses and contact details MUST be supplied of three referees who can provide information regarding the applicant in relation to the Key Selection Criteria.
Please note: The selection panel may contact referees other than those listed.
The Selection Process will involve at least the following steps:
1. Shortlisting of applications
2. Interview process (applicants may be invited back for a second interview)
3. Referee checks (these may occur prior and/or after the interviews)
Note: the panel reserves the right to contact others outside of the list of referees provided by the applicant.
- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
- The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
- if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
- a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements (this condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian ITE program completed by the person).
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
