School Leader Early Childhood, Whitlam School | Full-time Permanent

Closes: 20 August 2026

Classification: School Leader C
Salary: $145,938 - $149,107 plus superannuation
Position No: 71516
Directorate: Education
Advertised (Gazettal date): 06 August 2026
Contact Officer: Felicity Levett on Felicity.Levett@ed.act.edu.au or 0403495363

Details: School Overview:

Whitlam School is the ACT Education Directorate’s 94th school and is located in the Molonglo Valley of Canberra. Opening in 2027, the school will eventually cater for up to 780 students from preschool to Year 6, reflecting the vibrant and rapidly expanding community it serves. An Early Childhood Education and Care Centre (ECEC) will open in 2028, providing 130 places for children from birth to preschool and strengthening the school’s role as a hub for families.

Designed with modern, sustainable principles, Whitlam School will be inclusive and welcoming, a place where every child can thrive. Flexible learning spaces—both indoor and outdoor—will support high‑quality teaching, creativity, collaboration and personalised learning. Specialist areas and integrated support spaces will ensure students with diverse learning needs are fully included and well supported.

The school’s facilities will include a double gymnasium with multi‑sport markings, covered and uncovered hard courts, a playing field, and engaging external play areas. Community‑use spaces will be available and easily accessible, reinforcing the school’s commitment to being a place for everyone.

Whitlam School is founded on the values of ‘Belong, Connect and Imagine.’ Every learner and family will be known, valued and supported. A culture of kindness, trust and collaboration will shape relationships with students, staff and families, creating a safe, positive and future‑focused environment. With a commitment to continuous improvement, the school embraces a solution‑focused and optimistic approach to learning and growth.

What you will do – Position Overview

Whitlam School is seeking a dynamic and experienced School Leader C with early childhood qualifications and leadership experience to join our leadership team. This role is pivotal in establishing high-quality teaching and learning practices for our preschool to kindergarten cohort and in building strong partnerships with families, staff, and the ECEC. The successful candidate will lead the development of inclusive, evidence-informed pedagogies aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, the Australian Curriculum and ACT ED learning and teaching system reform. They will champion collaborative practice, build staff capacity, and foster a culture of wellbeing and high expectations.

The inaugural leadership team at Whitlam School will lead both the operational and strategic direction of the school, leveraging the opportunities presented by a new learning environment to support innovation and the provision of high quality educational and wellbeing outcomes for all students. The successful applicant will be a relational, collaborative, community focussed team player with the ability to build strong lasting connections with the entire school community.

This is a rare opportunity to help establish a new ACT public school, shape a positive school culture and establish a strong, connected school community that supports every student to thrive.

What you require – Job Description

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of current early childhood reform aligned with the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT), the Education and Care Services National Regulations, and the Children and Young People Act 2008 to ensure high-quality practice, robust compliance, and full alignment with the Child Safe Standards in early childhood settings.
• During 2027 and beyond build a strong community of practice with the ECEC service to support continuity of learning and support alongside the development of transition initiatives between it and the Whitlam School Preschool and engage families and the broader community as partners in learning by fostering strong home–school connections and inclusive opportunities that strengthen student engagement, wellbeing and success.
• Design and implement inclusive, evidence informed curriculum, assessment, and reporting practices aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework 2.0, the National Quality Framework and the Australian Curriculum, and lead high-quality teaching and learning in Preschool and Kindergarten cohort guided by ED Strong Foundations priorities and the ACT Responsive Teaching Framework, to ensure coherent, consistent, and impactful practice.
• Cultivate a culture of PLC excellence through data-driven decision making, capacity-building cycles of improvement and effective feedback processes, ensuring these collaborative practices lead to measurable, positive impact on student learning and wellbeing.
• Contribute as part of the school’s leadership team to the building of the school’s vision and culture and use these as drivers in the development of the school’s establishment plan
• Undertake a teaching load and other duties as determined by the Principal and/or Deputy Principal

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• A minimum of four years full time (or equivalent) tertiary study leading to the award of a recognised school teaching qualification.
• Current professional teaching registration with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) or eligibility to obtain TQI.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra
• Additional Information: Early Childhood qualifications are essential for this role.

Note: A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

How to Apply: Applications are sought from potential candidates and should include a:

• Supporting statement addressing the capabilities listed below and be written with a focus on the job description specified for the position. (Please write five pages in total)
• Current Curriculum Vitae and
• Name and contact details for two referees.

Applications should be submitted .

Applicants should note that a Joint Selection Committee (JSC) established in accordance with the collective/enterprise agreement provisions will assess all applications for this position.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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