Position Information
Tamworth High School is a proudly inclusive and culturally rich secondary school, dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive and engaging environment for every student. With around 684 enrolments—44% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander—the school plays a vital role in promoting equity, resilience and opportunity for young people across urban and rural communities.
The Head Teacher Wellbeing role offers an exciting opportunity to lead systemic approaches to student engagement, attendance, trauma-informed practice and positive behaviour supports. Tamworth High has a strong whole-school commitment to inclusive education, emphasising student voice, cross-curricular wellbeing initiatives and authentic community partnerships.
Key features that make Tamworth High School an outstanding environment for wellbeing leadership include:
* A dynamic Partner School Program fostering collaborative transition support and professional learning with local primary schools.
* A range of successful career and post-school pathways, such as TAFE Start Your Future, Launchpad STEM tours and regional work experience partnerships.
* Strong cultural inclusion and tailored support for Aboriginal students, integrated into wellbeing planning and ongoing staff development.
* A dedicated and collegial staff team, blending early career and experienced educators who work collectively to support student engagement.
* An active Learning and Support Team that partners with the Head Teacher Wellbeing to develop case management systems and individualised plans.
* Supportive leadership and an engaged P&C, who value and invest in student wellbeing and holistic education.
The successful applicant will drive the school's strategic priorities around attendance, student voice, behaviour support and mental health, while strengthening the culture of care and connectedness that defines Tamworth High School.
For more about our school and programs, visit: www.tamworth-
Selection Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the teacher training and academic qualification requirements for this position. In addition to the general selection criteria
* Demonstrated capacity to lead, mentor and support the professional growth of staff with student wellbeing responsibilities, including School Learning Support Officers, Year Advisors, and Learning and Support Team members, to strengthen inclusive practices and trauma-informed approaches across the school.
* Applicants should demonstrate experience in building staff capability in line with the Wellbeing Framework for Schools, managing complex caseloads, facilitating professional learning, and embedding whole-school systems for proactive student support.
* Demonstrated ability to lead the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of proactive, student-centred and whole-school wellbeing strategies that improve student engagement, attendance and behaviour outcomes.
* This includes evidence of leading wellbeing teams, using data to inform planning, embedding cultural responsiveness—particularly for Aboriginal students—and building a school-wide culture of care, consistency, and high expectations.
* Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain effective working relationships with external support agencies and Department of Education staff, including Health, Police, DCJ, Youth Services, Out of Home Care Coordinators, and Network Specialist Facilitators, to deliver integrated case management and wraparound supports.
* Applicants should show how they have led collaborative responses to student need, coordinated inter-agency referrals, and supported families through complex wellbeing and safety issues.
* Demonstrated highly developed communication and interpersonal skills that build trust and engagement with students, staff, parents and community, and foster strong student voice and positive wellbeing culture.
* This includes experience in leading difficult conversations, engaging families from diverse backgrounds, incorporating student feedback into wellbeing planning, and contributing to a safe, inclusive, and connected school environment.
General Selection Criteria
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
Conditions
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.
Special Notes
Applicants seeking either permanent full time or permanent part time employment are encouraged to apply for this position. If the recommended applicant is seeking permanent part time employment (FTE from 0.1 to 0.9 inclusive), they will be offered an appointment at their desired FTE. Applicants on the eligibility list will be offered the remaining FTE but are not obliged to accept. Further information can be found on the merit selection webpage.
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 all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion
New merit selection application guidelines for classroom teachers, executives and principals have been introduced to provide greater clarity to applicants and selection panels. The guidelines are located here. To ensure that your application complies with the guideline page limits, your attachments must be in PDF format.