Head of Faculty – History and Philosophy & Classroom Teacher

Hunter Valley Grammar School seeks to appoint a permanent full-time (1.0 FTE) Head of Faculty – History and Philosophy & Classroom Teacher to our Senior School commencing in Term 1, 2026.

The successful applicant will have responsibility, through engagement with relevant staff and programs, to ensure that students undertaking courses within the faculty are academically challenged and stimulated in a safe learning environment, where students are enthused about their studies and given every opportunity for academic success.

Work Pattern: This position is to be on campus from 8:00 am until at least 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday , each school day in accordance with the published term dates.

Key Duties

As a Senior School teacher, you will be required to:
Fulfil the responsibilities of a Hunter Valley Grammar School teacher, upholding the School’s principles and values as detailed in the Staff Handbook and Code of Conduct.

Be proactive in providing an academically challenging, stimulating, and safe environment where students are enthused about their studies.

Foster a commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and sharing of knowledge and information with colleagues.

Collaborate effectively with colleagues to develop and deliver engaging programs of inquiry, based on the International Baccalaureate framework, which comply with all NESA requirements.

Demonstrate an understanding of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) and/or a purposeful willingness to engage in IB professional learning.

Develop a detailed understanding of all students in your classes, being able to inform parents of their child’s progress with clarity and detail (and with an active understanding of documented Personalised Learning Plans for those students requiring identified support and/or differentiation).

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all stakeholders.

Display a strong dedication to customer service.

Engage actively in the wellbeing program of the School, including taking a Mentor Group each morning (and during scheduled wellbeing periods), contribute to wellbeing reporting, monitoring and mentoring of student development etc.

Actively support student engagement in service-learning program(s) of the School, both within the classroom and beyond it.

Attend all identified assemblies, carnivals, meetings, and Professional Learning days as scheduled.

Attend Parent/Teacher evenings, presentation ceremonies and other identified school functions as determined by the Principal, (some which are outside of normal working hours).

Attend an annual school camp (which generally occur during term time and require some nights away), and fulfil timetabled requirements for playground and bus duties.

Contribute meaningfully to the School’s co-curricular program of activities, in accordance with the expectations of all teaching staff, and in areas of interest or expertise.

As a Head of Faculty you will have responsibility to:
To lead, co-ordinate and manage all aspects of teaching and learning in the Faculty.

To engage meaningfully as a member of the Teaching & Learning Committee with collaborative responsibility for student academic experiences, compliance requirements and curriculum innovation within and between faculties.

To reinforce through your actions and words a culture of leadership that engenders transparency, outcomes, responsibility, and accountability.

To ensure development of outstanding educational programs for the Faculty in line with NESA and International Baccalaureate Programme requirements.

Ensure curriculum oversight for IB and NESA aligned History & Philosophy Studies courses in Stage 4, Stage 5 and Stage 6.

To oversee academic performance and support the ongoing professional learning of the staff in the faculty.

To lead, collaborate and devise accessible and challenging methods of assessing the progress of students engaged in Faculty programs.

To oversee implementation of school policy and faculty practices with regard to:

Placement of students in suitable classes within the faculty, as applicable

Development in literacy and numeracy skills

Meaningful homework practices

Acquisition and effective utilisation of resources

Promotion of positive staff development and professionalism

Response to Faculty-based classroom discipline issues.

To maintain accurate asset registers of all equipment relevant to the Faculty and to ensure that the Faculty is always equipped to carry out its objectives.

To maintain accurate and current Faculty records e.g., scope & sequence overviews, unit programs, evaluation registers, School Management System markbooks, student work samples, policies and guidelines, Registration & Accreditation documentation, minutes of Faculty meetings etc.

To demonstrate leadership and support your Faculty staff in relation to professional requirements, pedagogy, student discipline in class, punctuality and implementation of School policies.

To oversee student engagement in Faculty courses by liaising with Faculty staff regarding student progress, attainment and academic engagement; to follow up tests/assessments with advice, replacement or remediation as necessary; to investigate and respond to in-class disciplinary issues, neglect of class work or homework, liaising with the Head of Stage and/or Head of Year, head of Curriculum and/or Director of IB Programmes, as appropriate.

To implement Assessment Policies and Procedures as advised by NESA Guidelines and the International Baccalaureate Standards & Practice.

To lead and collaborate with Faculty staff on professional development regarding best practice for students requiring support and/or differentiation.

To exercise responsibility for Faculty budget application, expenditure, and review.