Kinross Wolaroi School | Orange, NSW | Commencing Term 1, 2027
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
I am delighted to invite applications for the position of Head of Senior School at Kinross Wolaroi School.
This is a role that sits at the very heart of school life—shaping the experience of students, guiding staff, and setting the tone for culture, expectations and belonging across Years 7 to 12.
Kinross Wolaroi is a school with deep heritage and a strong sense of community, but it is also a school looking forward—embracing innovation, strengthening its academic performance, and building a culture where every student is known, challenged and supported.
Our Senior School is vibrant, diverse and complex. It includes a significant boarding cohort, a wide-ranging co-curricular program, and a student body drawn largely from regional and rural communities. It is a place of energy, opportunity and responsibility.
We are seeking a Head of Senior School who can:
- Lead with clarity and presence
- Build strong, respectful relationships with students and staff
- Set consistent expectations and uphold standards
- Foster a culture where young people can flourish
This is an opportunity to lead a significant part of the School and to make a tangible difference in the lives of students and the broader community.
Kinross Wolaroi is a community where the Senior School experience is central to shaping the character, capability and aspirations of young people.
Timothy Kelly, Principal
ABOUT KINROSS WOLAROI SCHOOL
Kinross Wolaroi School is a leading co-educational, independent day and boarding school of the Uniting Church, educating young people in regional New South Wales for more than 140 years. The School enrols approximately 1,000 students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, including more than 330 boarders, and is recognised for strong academic outcomes, extensive co-curricular opportunities and a commitment to student wellbeing.
Located in Orange, NSW, the School operates across two campuses and offers outstanding facilities supporting learning, boarding, sport, performing arts and wellbeing.
WHY ORANGE?
Orange is one of Australia's premier regional centres, offering an exceptional combination of career opportunity and lifestyle. Renowned for its award-winning food and wine scene, thriving arts and cultural community, excellent healthcare and education infrastructure, and strong regional identity, Orange is a destination of choice for families and professionals alike.
The city offers a genuine work-life balance, strong community connections and excellent transport links to Sydney, Canberra and major Australian centres while retaining its distinctive regional character.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Head of Senior School is a key leadership position responsible for leading the culture, wellbeing, pastoral care and day-to-day operation of the Senior School (Years 7–12). The role sits at the centre of student life and plays a critical role in shaping the experience, aspirations and success of young people during their secondary years.
Working closely with the Principal and Executive team, the Head of Senior School leads the pastoral, behavioural and wellbeing framework for Years 7–12, while fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, belonging and high expectations.
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Lead a large and dynamic Senior School.
- Shape student culture, wellbeing and engagement at a critical stage of development.
- Work within a school that values both academic achievement and the development of the whole person.
- Engage deeply with a boarding community that is central to the identity of the School.
- Influence the experience of students from diverse regional and rural backgrounds.
- Contribute to a leadership team committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Senior School Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day operation of Years 7–12.
- Shape and maintain the culture, tone and expectations of the Senior School.
- Ensure discipline systems are fair, consistent and aligned with School values.
- Contribute to whole-school leadership, planning and decision-making.
- Provide advice to the Principal on student wellbeing, behaviour and policy matters.
Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
- Lead and manage the School's pastoral care and wellbeing programs across Years 7–12.
- Promote a positive and inclusive culture that supports student belonging and wellbeing.
- Oversee student case management and wellbeing support processes.
- Develop and implement contemporary wellbeing programs supporting students' intellectual, social, emotional, cultural and physical development.
- Work collaboratively with wellbeing teams, mentors, counsellors, chaplaincy and other student support staff.
Teaching and Learning Environment
- Support a culture of academic effort, accountability and aspiration.
- Promote high levels of student engagement and achievement.
- Work closely with academic leaders to strengthen connections between student wellbeing and learning outcomes.
Staff Leadership
- Lead and support Senior School pastoral leaders, including Head Mentors and Year Coordinators.
- Provide mentoring, guidance and professional support to staff.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Support staff wellbeing and professional growth.
Student Programs, Boarding and Community Engagement
- Oversee student leadership, service learning and co-curricular programs.
- Support camps, activities weeks and student leadership initiatives.
- Work closely with boarding and co-curricular leaders to ensure a holistic student experience.
- Build strong partnerships with parents and the wider School community.
- Represent the Senior School through events, communications and community engagement activities.
Compliance and Duty of Care
- Ensure student safety and wellbeing at all times.
- Lead the management of critical incidents within the Senior School when required.
- Maintain compliance with child protection, workplace health and safety, and regulatory obligations.
- Support risk management and duty-of-care processes.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
Essential Experience
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Proven leadership experience in secondary education.
- Strong pastoral leadership capability.
- Experience managing staff and complex student matters.
- Experience leading within a dynamic school environment.
Professional Capabilities
We are seeking a leader who brings:
- A deep understanding of adolescent development.
- Strong relational leadership skills.
- Clear and consistent behavioural and cultural leadership.
- Sound judgement and decision-making in sensitive situations.
- The ability to engage and communicate effectively with students, staff and families.
Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate will be:
- An authentic and visible leader.
- Calm and confident under pressure.
- Empathetic yet firm.
- An outstanding communicator.
- Committed to student growth, wellbeing and success.
Desirable Experience
Experience in the following contexts will be highly regarded:
- Co-educational school environments.
- Boarding schools.
- Regional school communities.
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
- Full-time leadership position with a teaching component.
- Position of Responsibility (maximum-term).
- Commencing 1 January 2027, by negotiation.
- Attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience, responsibilities and the scale of the role.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications close 7 August 2026.
Download the full candidate pack at kws.nsw.edu.au/about-us/employment-opportunities
Applications should include:
- A covering letter outlining:
o Leadership experience
o Approach to student wellbeing and culture
o Educational philosophy
- A current curriculum vitae.
Applications and confidential enquiries should be directed to:
recruitment@kws.nsw.edu.au
Please note that applications may be reviewed and interviews conducted before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged.
