Five Islands Secondary College (FISC) is a distinctive secondary school in the Illawarra region, offering personalised and inclusive educational pathways with a current enrolment of 340 students. Our student body consists of 8% Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander and 3% EAL/D students. Our dual curriculum includes the mainstream ROSA/HSC (Years 10–1 alongside the innovative Big Picture Learning program (Years 9–1, 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 English History will lead an experienced and dedicated team through a collaborative leadership approach. This role requires proven ability to work closely to support staff to maintain high-quality teaching standards. The Head Teacher will foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that motivates every student to strive for their personalised best and achieve outstanding results. Success in this role depends on dynamic leadership and a proactive collaboration with the school executive, teachers, support staff, students, families, and external partners.
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.
Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,
Proven experience teaching a broad range of senior English/History courses —including ATAR and Non-ATAR English Studies — with evidence of innovatively engaging diverse learners to improve literacy, strive towards personalised success and high achievement
Demonstrated ability to develop respectful, and supportive relationships bringing an approach that fosters positive student conduct and promotes emotional safety, partnership and inclusivity.
Demonstrated skillset for authentic leadership of an English/History faculty with a collegial and supportive culture – focussed on high-quality, well-resourced teaching and learning programs, and curriculum implementation tailored to the needs of diverse and complex learners.
Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and adaptively as member of the school executive team, proactively supporting the school’s strategic vision and priorities –skills that build capacity and authentic connections with key stakeholders, community, and external agencies.
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 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.
Additional Information
For further information and the School Excellence Plan please vist the school's website.
