AddressCobar High School is a small comprehensive secondary school located in remote NSW, 700kms northwest of Sydney on the traditional lands of the Wongaibon people of the Ngiyampaa nation, with the nearest regional centre of Dubbo 300kms east. Cobar is a mining town with an approximate population of 4000 people. Students predominantly expect to gain highly paid occupations within the mining sector which does create unique challenges for the school, particularly in terms of engaging students in the notion of tertiary education.
The school has a student population of 211 students, of whom 29.4% identify as Aboriginal and 5.7% from a Non-English Speaking Background. Our support unit currently consists of 2 Multi-categorical classes to cater for our students with additional needs. The student population is transient with on average (past 7 years) only 35.6% of our Year 12 HSC graduates actually starting their secondary education at Cobar High School.
Cobar High School is predominantly staffed with inexperienced teachers, who work collaboratively, are enthusiastic and provide a range of extra-curricular activities for students. This, along with our extreme isolation, has resulted in the implementation of a Professional Learning Program that is designed to support the learning needs of our students as well as the developmental needs of our staff. This program, along with our scheduled lesson observations, are key to the school fulfilling its commitment of continually improving our effective classroom practices. This learning will ensure that both literacy and numeracy levels can be enhanced through improved data collection, analysis and use which underpins our belief in individualised and differentiated learning.
The school's staffing entitlement is 28.7 teaching and 9.9 non-teaching staff. From school funds we also employ a Head Teacher Teaching & Learning and part-time School Learning Support Officers. These positions enable us to provide the valuable time required for teaching staff to fully engage with our Professional Learning and Lesson Observation programs as well as leadership in improving data collation and individual student differentiation.
Cobar High School has followed the principles of Positive Behaviour for Learning since its implementation began in 2012 and is proud of its reputation across NSW as a beacon school. We strongly and consistently promote an environment of respect, excellence and safety. Embedding this philosophy into our everyday processes will support all students to enhance their participation and engagement.
The school is very well equipped and resourced with high quality facilities including a Trade Training Centre, upgraded Science Laboratories, covered outdoor basketball/tennis courts and outdoor learning spaces. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned with full access to state-of-the-art technology as are our Support classrooms. We have for a number of years successfully operated a Homework Centre in the school library. Operating 2 afternoons a week, staff are available to assist students with assignments, homework or tuition if required.
Selection Criteria
- Approval to teach Science and Biology
- Demonstrated ability in interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and inclusively to build relationships with students, staff and community members
- Ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and learning programs that cater for the specific needs of all students, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
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 are to include details of their WWCC clearance number as part of this application.
Cobar High School is a 6point School and may attract benefits and incentives and in some instances a relocation subsidy. You can check your eligibility via the benefits calculator.
Teacher housing may also be available, for further information please contact Teacher Housing Authority: 1300 137 343 (toll free).
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 (*****@det.nsw.edu.au) 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.
