“With leadership and guidance from Tiwi; our College community uses a holistic approach to develop key knowledge and skills required for vocational choices and happy, rewarding and healthy lives” 

-Tiwi College Vision Statement.

• Join a dynamic, well-resourced remote area, Indigenous boarding school providing quality education for young Tiwi.
• Highly attractive remuneration package circa $180,000 PLUS super & salary sacrificing.
• Enjoy 2 way learning within a culturally responsive learning environment.
• Package benefits include; fully paid accommodation, phone and utilities PLUS relocation assistance, flights and more!

About Tiwi College 

Located at Pickataramoor on Melville Island (part of the Tiwi Islands), Tiwi College is an exciting and dynamic secondary boarding school initiated and governed by the Tiwi people to provide quality education for the young Tiwi. The college caters for holistic learning, helping the young Tiwi become "work-ready". 

A weekly boarding school, students are picked up on a Monday and dropped off on a Friday. Students board at ‘Family Group Homes’, where they stay with the same family weekly, who provide a safe environment to learn and grow. 

The school currently has approximately 60 students; and staff consisting of Teachers, Tiwi Assistant Teachers, Wellbeing/Academy staff, Family Group Home (boarding) Parents, Hospitality staff, a Fleet Manager, Farm Manager, Maintenance Manager and Groundskeeper. 

It is a very close-knit community and well-resourced for both staff and students.

Students at Tiwi College come from all over the Tiwi Islands, just 80km north of Darwin - a 2.5-hour ferry ride away or an easy 20-minute flight. Though the islands have a population of around 2500 people, there are three separate communities so students come together from different communities to study at Tiwi College, the community known as ‘Peaceful Picka’.

Are you ready for a position that inspires you to make a difference?

Tiwi College now has a rewarding opportunity for an experienced Principal to join our team on a full-time basis. Working closely with the Tiwi Education Board, comprised of Tiwi people, you will be responsible for the academic, boarding, and operational functions of the school.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for an invested Principal to come in and work with key stakeholders to strengthen operations, student outcomes and opportunities available to students at Tiwi College.

You will oversee and participate in providing successful cross-cultural teaching and learning, working closely with the Business Manager of Tiwi College and the Tiwi Education Board.

This school is a true collaboration in the community and has local teaching assistants, as well as teachers from all over Australia. As principal, you will be responsible for the mentorship and professional development of all staff, as well as the education of students.

As the Principal, you will look after key classes of boys (ages 12-17) and girls classes (ages 12-17). The education programs available to students are supported by a number of tertiary education providers based in Darwin, who periodically travel to Melville Island to provide support. 

Students at Tiwi College are ‘work-ready’ with alternative pathways offered alongside the opportunity to earn a Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET).

Your core duties will include:

• Overseeing boarding and academic planning for the college, meeting students’ needs and government requirements;
• Working alongside the Board and the business manager to assess and implement changes to the current curriculum;
• Developing and maintaining strong and effective partnerships between parents and staff for the benefit of students’ learning;
• Regularly reporting to the Board and providing recommendations regarding staff requirements and college courses;
• Mentoring and providing training for teaching assistants;
• Maximising opportunities to access government programs and resources; and
• Liaising with the wider community, external agencies, and organisations as needed

A remote teaching opportunity with a difference

At Tiwi College we pride ourselves on our strong community culture and are looking for a new leader to help continue and build on this legacy. As a relatively new and well-resourced facility, we have excellent staff conditions as part of our work entitlements and benefits.

For your hard work and dedication, you will be rewarded with a generous salary circa $180,000 plus super and the following fantastic benefits:

• Fully paid accommodation, phone, and utilities, including internet
• Regular subsidised travel between Darwin and Tiwi College
• Relocation assistance to help get you set up

The largest benefit of this role is the lifestyle and people involved! This is a truly unique opportunity to move to a beautiful part of the world and join a community that cares deeply about its young people’s future.

What you need to succeed

After a period of transition, we are looking for an experienced principal who is a stable, empathetic, and resilient leader, who can navigate the priorities of various stakeholders and put the interests and education of young people at the forefront of their decision-making.

You will have a genuine desire to listen to and build real relationships with the young people in your care and the greater community, ensuring parents feel welcome and involved in their children's progress. A confident and effective communicator, you will be able to engage with diverse groups of multicultural staff and students. You will listen and collaborate well with both the Board and the business manager.

You will have:

• Minimum 10 years working in schools, including significant experience as a principal
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Passion for educating and mentoring young people 
• A level of business-savvy as well as a general understanding of finance and HR 
• Experience working in independent schools is preferred
• Experience or understanding working in remote areas and/or with First Nations communities with “Two world strong” aspirations is essential. 

Most importantly, you will need to be a passionate educator whose values align with the schools. You can read more about Tiwi College's vision and mission here.

Please note: You will need to have or be willing to obtain a current First Aid Certificate and OCHRE card.

If you are an empathetic educator looking for a new opportunity to make a lasting difference to a community, then this is the role for you! Become part of the "Picka Family" - Apply Now!