Acting Head of Outdoor Education (3 term contract)

Wilderness School is a non-denominational day and boarding girl's school educating students from Early Learning Centre through to Year 12. Since 1884, Wilderness School has prepared girls to be adventurous, courageous, responsible, and respectful learners and leaders. At Wilderness, we strive to enable each student to be the best that she can be.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Acting Head of Outdoor Education to lead our Outdoor Education Department for a 3 term parental leave cover, commencing early October. 

This role is offered at 0.8-0.9 FTE, and reports to the Deputy Principal - Student Experience. The Acting Head of Outdoor Education leads and manages the Outdoor Education Department, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, delivering an innovative and rigorous outdoor education experience and curriculum that prepares our students to flourish. The successful candidate will be require to plan and attend multiple camps, ranging from Reception to Year 12. 

The successful applicant will collaborate and lead of team of three Outdoor Education teachers. 

The role carries significant operational and compliance responsibility. This includes managing all risk associated with Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh programs, coordinating equipment inspection and maintenance, managing the department budget, and overseeing the presentation and maintenance of department areas including our Crawford Campus. 

We are looking for a leader who is committed to their own leadership development and to the growth of others. Someone who cultivates trust, establishes high expectations, and is rigorous about the safety and wellbeing of every participant in the field.

Here at Wilderness, we aim to grow a team of educators who are:

• Passionate about outdoor education and its capacity to foster independence, resilience, leadership and responsibility
• Rigorous and disciplined in risk management, WHS and compliance
• Confident leaders of staff and independent contractors, who develop the professional practice of others
• Reflective about their own leadership, seeking and acting on feedback from colleagues and team members
• Excellent communicators who relate effectively to students, staff, parents and community members
• Collaborative and constructive, contributing within the Department and among the Heads of Department

About You

• Academic qualifications, suitable experience and a background relevant to the role.
• Current registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia is desirable, but not essential. 
• Extensive experience in teaching Outdoor Education. 
• Personal knowledge of and experience in local Australian environments, in particular the Coorong and Lower Lakes and the Flinders Rangers. 
• Commitment to developing your own leadership as well as the professional practice of team members
• Ability to efficiently manage the administrative and financial duties of the Department, including budget management
• Knowledge of and commitment to policies and practices relating to Risk Management, WH&S and Equal Opportunity
• Outstanding organisational, planning, analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with a personal sense of initiative, enthusiasm and energy
• Proven capacity to operate in a respectful, collaborative, professional, confident and discreet manner, with evidence of ethical behaviour in all professional duties

Why work for us?

At Wilderness School, we know that people thrive when they feel supported, valued, and inspired. Along with a strong sense of community, we offer 16 weeks of paid parental leave to support your family when it matters most, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for your wellbeing, onsite yoga classes to recharge mind and body, in-house leadership development to grow your career and an onsite café to connect and unwind.

Join a workplace where professional excellence and personal wellbeing go hand in hand.

How to Apply

For details about Wilderness School, please visit the School’s website at https://wilderness.com.au/employment. 

For a copy of the position description, please email **@wilderness.com.au. 

To apply, please provide the following addressed to Mr Brad Snell, Acting Principal:

• Resume/CV
• Covering letter addressing the key areas of responsibility. 
• Contact details of three referees

Applications will close 9am Tuesday 8th September 2026. Please do not email your applications, please apply through the portal. 

For a confidential discussion, please contact Olivia Stapleton-Pitt, Director of People & Culture on (08) 8343 1***.

The School reserves the right to shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date.

The successful applicant will be required to maintain a valid Working With Children Check, Protective Practices and Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care training, as well as adhere to the School’s Child Protection Policy.  We encourage you to apply for your Working With Children Check should you not currently hold one.