Wauchope High School is a comprehensive, co-educational secondary school proudly situated on Birpai Country in the Hastings Valley on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Serving a vibrant rural community, the school has an enrolment of approximately 450 students, including 23% of students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The school is recognised for its strong community partnerships, inclusive culture and commitment to providing aspirational pathways that enable students to thrive academically, vocationally and personally.
Wauchope High School has a proud tradition of excellence and high expectations, with generations of students achieving success across diverse fields including education, agriculture, trades, business, sport, the arts and community leadership. The school is deeply valued within the local community and is recognised for developing confident, capable young people who contribute positively to society.
The school offers a broad and future-focused curriculum with strong pathways into university, vocational education, apprenticeships and traineeships. Its celebrated Agriculture and Primary Industries programs are supported through the school's working farm and include nationally recognised VET qualifications that provide students with authentic industry experiences and practical skills for future employment. Purpose-built commercial kitchens within the school's trade training centre support the delivery of Hospitality VET credentials, with students also engaging in industry work placement opportunities that strengthen connections between education and employment.
Wauchope High School has a strong reputation for excellence in sport and High Potential and Gifted Education opportunities. A longstanding source of pride is the annual sporting exchange with Cumberland High School, a tradition that has endured for more than 50 years and provides exceptional opportunities for students to demonstrate teamwork, leadership and sporting excellence in a highly regarded interschool competition.
The school maintains close and highly valued partnerships with its feeder primary schools, supporting students and families through outstanding transition programs that foster belonging, confidence and connection. Programs such as Birpai Buddies, Sista Speak and Bro Speak provide culturally responsive mentoring and leadership opportunities for students, while the school's highly sought-after Aboriginal Gathang Language Program, led by the Aboriginal Education Officer, strengthens cultural identity, language revitalisation and community connection.
Student wellbeing is central to the work of the school. Wauchope High School provides a range of supports to ensure students feel known, valued and cared for, including Breakfast Club programs, wellbeing initiatives and access to dedicated student support staff, including a Student Support Officer. Student voice is highly valued through an active Student Representative Council, with students regularly contributing to school decision-making, leadership initiatives and community events.
Students proudly represent the school across the wider community, demonstrating respect, leadership and civic pride. This is particularly evident through the school's longstanding and significant involvement in local ANZAC Day commemorations, where students play an important role in honouring service and strengthening community connection.
Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria,
Demonstrated capacity to lead high-quality English teaching and learning, with a strong understanding of evidence-informed pedagogy, literacy development and assessment practices to improve student growth and attainment across Years 7–12.
Proven ability to lead and support staff to deliver differentiated, inclusive and engaging English programs that respond to the diverse academic, wellbeing and learning needs of students, while maintaining high expectations for student achievement and participation.
Demonstrated instructional leadership skills to build teacher capacity through collaborative practice, data-informed decision making, effective feedback and the implementation of consistent, high-impact teaching and assessment practices.
Demonstrated ability to foster a positive, inclusive and supportive faculty culture that promotes student wellbeing, engagement and attendance, while developing strong partnerships with families and the wider school community.
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.
How to Apply
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.
For technical support in applying for the role please contact School Recruitment Support at 1300 863 694.
