Teacher Languages - Irrawang High School

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Irrawang High School is proudly a comprehensive High School catering for students from Years 7-12, including support classes, with a strong focus on academic excellence and positive wellbeing.

The school is located on Worimi land in East Raymond Terrace in the lower Hunter Region. In 2024, a total enrolment of 856 students, 24% of whom identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander attend Irrawang High School. The school prides itself on nurturing strong connections and relationships with a proactive Youyoong AECG and P&C.

There is a strong emphasis on positive behaviour for learning, through a culture of connectedness and embedded values of Ngarrabu Marrung (Respect), Gaga Marrung (Responsibility) and Barraba Marrung-Gang (Personal Best). The school provides a learning environment that aims to give each student the opportunity to achieve their highest potential through the development of the whole student.

The school is planning to introduce the teaching of Gathang, the language of the local Aboriginal people as the whole school mandatory languages requirement for students in Stage 4. The successful candidate would work in collaboration with the Irrawang High School’s Aboriginal Education Team, the Principal of the school, Youyoong and NSW AECG, and Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate to deliver culturally sensitive, locally relevant teaching of Gathang language to Irrawang High School students.

The Aboriginal Languages Teacher will teach students with the full range of abilities from HPGE learners through to students in one of the school’s 14 support classes, to students from all heritage backgrounds.

The Aboriginal Languages Teacher will work as an active part of the school’s large Aboriginal Education Team which incorporates the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre, the Ngarralbaa Education Team and Clontarf Academy to deliver cultural programs which are responsive to the needs of students, including activities such as Aboriginal dance, sporting, celebrations to acknowledge Aboriginal histories, Junior AECG, students’ connecting to culture programs and performing at local Primary Schools and events.

The school’s improvement plan includes whole school professional learning based in evaluative, data driven practices to collaboratively develop improvement strategies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student attainment in literacy, numeracy, HSC, post school pathways and attendance.

Approval to teach Aboriginal Languages, with the ability and willingness to adapt existing knowledge and experiences to teaching the Gathang language.

Evidence of effective classroom practice that includes the ability to cater for students with a diverse range of learning needs through differentiated curriculum, classroom management and integration of technology to engage, challenge and inspire all learners.

Highly developed communication, interpersonal and organisational skills with proven ability to build positive and productive working relationships with students, staff, parents and the wider community with a demonstrated willingness to contribute to faculty and whole school programs and initiatives.

Knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy, Aboriginal Language and Culture Nests Guidelines and awareness and understanding of the needs of Aboriginal students, families and communities. 

Applicants are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.
 

About the NSW Department of Education 

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.