Head of English - Leadership Level 2

Oran Park Anglican College is a vibrant learning community in one of the fastest growing areas of Southwest Sydney. Catering for over 1200 students Prep – Year 12 in modern purpose-built facilities the College has established its reputation as providing a respectful, joyous and collaborative learning environment with strong pastoral support. We value academic rigour, comprehensive and inclusive pastoral care, service-learning opportunities, thriving sporting programs and excellence in the creative and performing arts.

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic educator with passion and experience to lead the English Faculty with the ability to teach a variety of Stage 6 subjects essential.

Position Summary

The Head of English, together with the Senior School Academic Leadership team will provide coaching and instructional leadership to identify and implement initiatives for improving learning and achievement for students in the Senior School. They will lead their teaching team to develop and embed highly effective teaching and learning, curriculum development and feedback and assessment practices.

Reports to:   Deputy Head of Senior School – Teaching and Learning
Status and Hours:   Full Time, Permanent position
Office Hours are 8 am – 3.30 pm, although an understanding is required that the role will require greater hours than this.
The position requires the successful applicant to be accessible during non-term time during College open hours.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE):   1.0
Positions who report to this role:   English Teachers
Commencement Date:   Term 2 2025 or as soon as possible
Dress Code:   Oran Park Anglican College requires staff to dress in a professional manner, fitting of an independent school

Major Responsibilities

The Head of English responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Instructional leadership of their team through a coaching and mentoring approach and modelling best practice.
• Mentoring the teaching team to embed the College’s teaching and learning framework and be effective classroom practitioners.
• Innovation, development and monitoring of the teaching and learning programs under their oversight, to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the NSW Education Standards Authority and the College.
• The leadership, supervision and development of their teachers as a collaborative team.
• Overseeing the assessment and reporting for their key learning areas and embedding quality diagnostic, formative and summative assessment practices.
• Monitoring and assessing student learning data at the individual, cohort and whole school level and using this data to inform teaching for improved student learning.
• Assisting their teachers to identify students with various learning needs (both enrichment and support) and in consultation with the Diverse Learning team support them in developing differentiated strategies to meet those needs.
• Implementing an appropriate induction program for new teachers, lesson observation and feedback, assisting them to develop programs, and monitoring their progress.
• Contribute to whole school improvement initiatives.
• Having an active commitment to and involvement with the co-curricular life of the College.
• Modelling a Christian example in all activities and care for the spiritual welfare of the students in their care.
• Working collaboratively with other staff to promote the College’s values: courage, curiosity, craftsmanship, collaboration and compassion.

Professional and Personal Attributes

The Head of English must have the capacity to lead a team of teachers to provide innovative, quality teaching and learning. Essential personal and professional attributes for this role include;

• A committed Christian and an active member of a church.
• Demonstrated high level of understanding of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the capacity to provide leadership in the alignment of these areas.
• An in-depth knowledge of NSW curriculum and assessment with the ability to lead, plan and implement quality teaching practices.
• Demonstrated outstanding classroom teaching skills and the capacity to coach and support colleagues to continually improve teaching and learning.
• A desire to champion the Learning Power Approach as an effective pedagogy to develop students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in the relevant subject.
• An understanding of and commitment to student wellbeing within a Restorative Practices framework.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated capacity to lead, inspire and mentor teachers with a range of experience, identifying and drawing on their strengths for the benefit of the team and College.
• An ability to build collaborative teaching teams with a solution focussed mindset.
• Demonstrated commitment and capacity to actively contribute to whole school improvement initiatives, manage curriculum or student activities and a commitment to ongoing professional learning.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the co-curricular life of the College.
• Coaching qualifications will be highly regarded but not essential.

Desirable Criteria

• A familiarity with Growth Mindset, Habits of Mind and/or Cultures of Thinking which underpin our Learning Power Approach to teaching and learning.
• Understanding and experience in use of restorative practices within a student wellbeing framework.

Additional Information

Salary:   In accordance with the Independent Schools NSW/ACT Cooperative Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2025.
Child Safety:   Oran Park Anglican College is committed to child safety. All members of staff are required to comply with applicable child protection legislation and are responsible for ensuring that the College’s Child Safe policies, procedures and programs are at the forefront of all we do. As such, all members of staff are expected to satisfy child protection screening and adhere to the College’s Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct.
WHS:   Oran Park Anglican College acknowledges that the health, safety and wellbeing of people and the provision of a safe working and learning environment are central to the values of the College. All members of staff undertake annual WHS training. The successful applicant will be provided with their WHS responsibilities at the time of appointment.
Diversity and Inclusion:   Oran Park Anglican College provides inclusive, culturally safe and child-friendly services for all students. The successful applicant will be required to comply with policy and training requirements.
Note:   All positions evolve over time and as such, the position description should be viewed as a guide with the full expectation that other duties as required will be a natural part of the role. The role will continue to evolve in consultation with the Principal.

The Application Process

Applicants are required to:

• Complete the “Application for employment – Teaching” form (found under the Employment tab on our website).
• Provide a 1-2 page cover letter which details your experience and demonstrates your ability to meet the essential criteria for this position, including a statement of personal Christian faith.
• Curriculum Vitae of no more than 4 pages

Please forward your application marked “Private and Confidential” to:

Mrs Naomi Wilkins
Principal
Oran Park Anglican College

Email:   employment@opac.nsw.edu.au
Website:   www.opac.nsw.edu.au

Applications will close on Friday 2 May or when the position is filled.

Vision
We strive to be a vibrant learning community that impacts every member for Jesus, through life-changing, caring, quality Christian education.

Mission
We do this by growing a strong and sustainable College community that nurtures Christ-shaped values of courage, curiosity, craftsmanship, collaboration and compassion.