Head of House

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 inspiring Head of House to join our Pastoral Care Leadership team, commencing Term 1 2027. 

This is a three year appointment with a time allowance of 0.26 FTE, attracting a Position of Responsibility allowance at Band 2, Level 2 under the Wilderness School Enterprise Agreement, and reporting to the Deputy Principal - Student Experience. There is a teaching component to this role.

Heads of House lead the pastoral care of Middle and Senior students. The Head of House is responsible for the oversight of each girl's wellbeing in their House, the innovative and successful functioning of Form, and liaison with parents, external agencies and senior leadership. They are the main point of contact for parents and teachers, working in a team with the Form Teacher and the Heads of School to ensure each girl's progress is monitored on an individual basis.

The successful applicant will oversee Form teachers and manage the Form program, organise and facilitate House Meetings, manage House Captain leadership positions and the Buddy Program, and lead all House events. They will monitor attendance, review reports, track academic progress, and monitor student wellbeing through Komodo check-ins, working directly with the Student Counsellor and School Psychologists where wellbeing needs arise. The role also includes managing the House budget and maintaining accurate and confidential records on VERUS.

We are looking for a leader who nurtures in each girl a belief that she is important and cared about. Someone who builds cohesion, identifies conflict early, exercises sound judgement in decisions affecting student wellbeing, and models the trust and respect they expect of others.

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

• Respectful leaders who demonstrate kindness and empathy and form healthy, fulfilling relationships with others, honouring their dignity
• Responsible leaders who are trustworthy and reliable, acting with integrity and matching their purposes with congruent actions and words
• Adventurous leaders who are reflective, self-authoring, values driven and purposeful
• True and courageous leaders who are agents of growth and change, committed to the ongoing growth of their leadership and team members
• Skilled in building cohesive teams and leading Form teachers to deliver high quality programs
• Confident in managing conflict, applying the School's Respectful Relationships policy and responding to concerns with sensitivity and confidentiality

About You

• Academic qualifications, suitable experience and a background relevant to the role, including maintaining a South Australian Teaching Registration Certificate with the Teachers Registration Board SA
• Extensive experience in teaching at Secondary level and a strong record of performance in a subject area
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate effectively to students, staff, parents and community members
• Demonstrated capacity to foster independence, resilience, leadership and responsibility
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, coupled with highly developed interpersonal skills
• Outstanding organisational skills, planning, analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
• A personal sense of initiative, enthusiasm and energy, with openness to new ideas and responsiveness to emerging opportunities and issues
• Innovative practice, lateral thinking, change management and use of initiative
• Proven capacity to operate in a respectful, collaborative, professional, confident and discreet manner, with evidence of ethical behaviour in all professional duties
• Understanding of and commitment to the ethos of Wilderness School

The following conditions apply to this position:

• Some out of hours work is an essential component of this role, including attendance at School activities such as Valedictory Service, Birthday Dinners for boarders, information evenings, Welcome Breakfast, Intercols and Formal
• A First Aid Certificate
• Current registration or the ability to be registered with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
• Work from any other metropolitan location as required

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 see here. 

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.