Minerva School is a School for Specific Purposes located in Sutherland, offering a dynamic and high-quality educational environment for up to 56 students across eight classes. We specialise in supporting students with intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, autism, and associated mental health needs. Our tailored programs include a K-6 curriculum alongside a Life Skills program for Years 7-12. Each student follows an Individualised Learning Program developed collaboratively with parents, carers, allied health professionals, and vocational services to address their unique social, emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs.
At Minerva, strong community partnerships are integral to our approach. We work closely with families, the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, local NSW Department of Education schools, allied health professionals, other educational sectors, and external service providers. These collaborations are essential to ensuring continuity of learning, student achievement, connection, and success.
In addition to the general selection criteria,
Approval to teach Special Education and/or experience teaching students Years K-12 with a mild to moderate intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, autism, behavioural and who have associated support needs due to sensory processing disorders.
Highly visible, inclusive and collaborative leadership skills who identifies as a teacher first and is able to demonstrate expertise in complex team management, conflict resolution processes and case management strategies, engaging students, staff, parents, carers and external agencies within a diverse and inclusive community.
Demonstrated ability to lead the development and implementation of differentiated teaching and learning programs that address the diverse and complex needs of students, with proven involvement in the implementation of new curriculum and assessment frameworks, including effective use of the Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions and play-based learning.
Demonstrated ability to work within and develop School wide frameworks including evidence-informed wellbeing, engagement and behaviour support strategies utilising sensory regulation to create positive, inclusive environments for students with diverse social and emotional needs in a complex SSP setting.
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.
All Department of Education employees working in an SSP are required to be vaccinated as outlined at Vaccination requirements for school sites (nsw.gov.au). The successful candidate for this position will be required to confirm vaccination status prior to the department finalising their appointment and entry on duty. Find the department’s latest advice on COVID-19 (coronavirus) at https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
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
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Assistant Principal to join our supportive and committed team. The successful candidate will demonstrate highly visible, inclusive, and collaborative leadership, with expertise in complex team management, conflict resolution, and case management. This role entails leading the development and implementation of differentiated teaching and learning programs tailored to diverse student needs, supported by a strong background in curriculum delivery, including Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions and play-based learning, while managing classroom teacher responsibilities. Additionally, you will lead the development and implementation of school-wide, evidence-based wellbeing, engagement, and behaviour support strategies, especially those incorporating sensory regulation, to foster positive, inclusive environments within a complex School for Specific Purposes setting. If you are passionate about leading inclusive education and empowering all students to thrive, we encourage you to apply.