Head Of Upper School

Pymble Ladies’ College is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia for girls Kindergarten to Year 12 with boarding from Year 7. At Pymble, we foster a world-class educational environment with the importance of global citizenship and a worldwide perspective central to our strategic intent.  

We believe our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are our most valuable resource. We are proud to have passionate and dedicated staff who recognise the unique strengths and qualities of every Pymble girl. 

The role

The Head of Upper School reports to the Deputy Principal – Students (K-12) and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. This position will actively supporting the College mission, vision, values and strategic plan and create and reinforce a culture of leadership that engenders transparency, responsibility and accountability.
Strategically, the Head of Upper School will lead the Deputy Head of Upper School, Heads of Year 9 and 10, and will work closely with the Director of Studies, Head of Campus - Vision Valley, Head of Outdoor Education, Chaplains and specialist staff to support and enhance the K-12 philosophy of the College.  

Pymble Ladies’ College is the biggest single-sex girls’ school in the Southern Hemisphere. The Upper School has close to 600 students and forms the intersection between the entry into the Secondary School (the Middle School) and the final two years of education at Pymble (the Senior School). This role is suitable for an academic professional with ambition, who has a passion for experiential programs and has the drive to build their skills with the support of our professional development offered to staff, paving the way for future senior leadership opportunities and progression.

The College has a second campus, Vision Valley, a 97-acre outdoor education site which will hosts a four week Year 9 residential program. A significant key performance indicator for this role is effectively developing, in collaboration with other key staff, the program that supports students accessing our residential program, while ensuring academic rigour remains at the heart of a Pymble education.

In performing this role, the Head of Upper School maintains close contact with the Deputy Principal – Students (K-12) and the Head of Secondary – Wellbeing. The role is pivotal in bringing new ways of thinking about education to our Year 9 to 10 students, especially in the utilisation of the College’s outdoor education campus, Vision Valley.

Click here for the position description. 

Our kind of team member

You will demonstrate the following attributes and capabilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and vision for the future of educational practice as it relates to girls
• Leadership and courage to introduce and manage change and innovation in learning and wellbeing
• Experience working at a school with a residential program would be advantageous
• Comprehensive knowledge of the curriculum for Stage 5 and a sound knowledge of Stage 4 and 6 would be advantageous
• A genuinely caring and respectful approach that nurtures students’ strengths and interests to help them achieve their personal best
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills to develop and sustain quality relationships within and beyond the College community
• A history of high integrity including sound judgment 
• Takes responsibility and provides effective leadership of staff, curriculum and well-being matters
• A track record of working productively and collaboratively as a part of a leadership team to achieve strategic and shared goals
• Proven experience and interest in the use of Information Technology and/or the design of Learning Spaces to enhance learning outcomes
• Possess appropriate teaching qualifications and experience and a thorough understanding of NESA syllabus requirements would be advantageous
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development of self and others 

Your kind of workplace

Pymble people are at the heart of what the College offers its students. That’s why every Teacher, Professional Services and Co-curricular staff member is valued for being the person they are, for the quality of their work, for their diverse contribution and for their wins – big and small. We express our appreciation in many ways, including through recognition programs, story sharing, celebrations, feedback, and competitive remuneration.

We treasure our caring, collegiate community, which Pymble people often refer to as the ‘Pymble family’. We also appreciate that our family is not the only one in the lives of Pymble people, so we ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to supporting work-life balance, providing family benefits and contributing to community connections.

Your kind of benefits

We are offering a highly competitive remuneration package in addition to a range of benefits:

• professional development 
• access to our Aquatic and Fitness Centre, with free Yoga and Pilates classes
• daily morning tea
• discounted school fees (where applicable)
• a dedicated Staff Wellbeing team and regular social events, and
• easy access with close public transport and onsite or nearby (street) parking

We also provide a wide range of opportunities for Pymble people to grow personally and professionally through growth strategies, training and professional development, career progression, access to technology and resources, and health and wellbeing opportunities.

Our kind of process

To learn more about this position, the calibre of person we are seeking to appoint, what makes Pymble an excellent place to work and continue your journey of professional growth - please submit your application online.
Applications for this opportunity will close on Monday 25th March, 2024. Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may occur prior to the closing date.

For more information about this role or a confidential discussion please contact Kristen Wright – Talent Acquisition Manager – ********@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Successful candidates must provide a paid Working with Children Check prior to engagement.

Pymble Ladies’ College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a workforce which represents the diverse society in which we live. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

We acknowledge the Durramurragal as the traditional custodians of the land on which our College is built. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future recognising the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.