Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Assistant Principal - Range 2
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Barwon South West - Warrnambool
Reference: 1510222
Opening in Term 1, 2026, Ngurraga will be a purpose-built, inclusive learning environment designed to support students with mild to profound intellectual disabilities.
Our vision is to create an innovative, inclusive, and nurturing school where every student is empowered to reach their full potential. This vision is reflected in our motto: "Learning with purpose, growing through connection." Grounded in the values of respect, growth, and teamwork, we are committed to building a community where staff and students thrive together.
Ngurraga has been purposefully designed to support high-quality teaching and learning through specialised facilities, including:
Four learning neighbourhoods with flexible classrooms and dedicated staff spaces
An administration and library building with staff areas and a first aid room
A multi-purpose building featuring fitness and physical activity spaces, performing arts, food technology and a canteen
Playgrounds and shaded outdoor areas for recreation and sensory play
Multiple half-court hard courts for physical education and free play
A secure bus pickup and drop-off zone
A dedicated staff carpark
These spaces will provide a safe, supportive, and dynamic environment that supports wellbeing, engagement, and strong educational outcomes.
At Ngurraga, we are committed to data-informed instruction, purposeful curriculum design, and the development of strong professional learning communities. Staff will be supported to design engaging, needs-based learning experiences while growing within a collaborative and reflective culture.
The Assistant Principal of the Secondary area will have the opportunity to:
Apply their instructional leadership expertise across Years 7¿12, ensuring continuity of learning and growth across all stages
Lead the development of VPC and ASDAN curriculum documentation that supports meaningful, personalised learning pathways
Guide teams to implement high-quality assessment, moderation, and evidence-based practice
Shape whole-school approaches to curriculum, pathways, engagement, and post-school transitions
Contribute to establishing the systems, structures, and culture of a new school from the ground up
Grow professionally within a highly collaborative, student-centred environment that values innovation, reflective practice, and continuous improvement
Please note:
Ngurraga will initially share the site with Yurran P - 9 college; however, the schools will operate independently. In 2026, we will open enrolments for students in Foundation (Prep) to Grade 5 with mild to profound intellectual disabilities. Once the P¿9 school moves to its permanent site (expected completion Term 3, 2027), Ngurraga will expand to enrol up to 168 students from Foundation to Year 12.
For further information about the role, please contact Principal Elaine Quinn on 0424 958 867.
Outstanding capacity for visionary and exemplary educational leadership of a school
Highly developed skills in leading and managing change, including the leadership of others in the process of change.
Outstanding financial, organisational and resource management skills.
Exemplary values appropriate to the development of student learning with a demonstrated capacity to achieve high-quality student outcomes
Demonstrated ability to implement policies to a high level.
A highly developed capacity to motivate staff, develop their talents and build an effective team
A clear capacity to foster a learning environment that takes account of the individual needs of students to develop their special abilities and talents.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual, small group and community contexts
Exemplary values of objectivity, sensitivity and integrity,
An ability to work with parents and the community to develop a strong learning environment.
Demonstrated capacity to lead secondary programs that provide meaningful learning and post-school pathways for students with disabilities, and the ability to build strong partnerships that support successful transitions.
The assistant principal reports directly to the principal.
Assistant principals have a primary responsibility for the management of significant areas or functions within the school to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. In exercising the responsibility, assistant principals will have the authority to make all significant decisions relating to the program, budget and staff relating to their area of designated responsibility within the framework of the school's strategic plan, policies and budget. Assistant principals will contribute to the overall management of the school through involvement in policy formulation and decision making.
The management of significant school program or functional areas in schools involve assistant principals in the analysis of the needs of students and the translation of state educational policy and frameworks into appropriate education programs to meet the needs of all students.
Typically assistant principals will be responsible for the effective use of the teaching staff and program budget of a defined area of the school's operation and for the oversight and leadership of the educational programs provided utilising these resources.
Typically, assistant principals perform one or more of the following functions:
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.