Vacancies

He aha te mea nui o tea o. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Columba College has an experienced, caring, collegial teaching and support staff who build strong relationships with students and the community.

Principal

About Columba
Columba College is a state-integrated day and boarding composite school in Dunedin, New Zealand, with an enviable reputation for academic excellence and all round achievement. With a roll capped at 565 domestic students, the College provides a connected and supportive “family like” atmosphere where students are realising their academic potential and their social, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being is supported. The College provides a seamless educational journey from Junior School (co-educational Years 0–6) to Middle and Senior School (Girls-only Years 7–13).

The College’s values driven approach, guided by the motto “with grace and good discipline”, creates a learning environment rooted in mutual respect, ethical behaviour, and service to others. Columba College promotes self-discipline, spiritual growth and the development of strong character, ensuring that students graduate as capable, values driven young people with a strong sense of purpose.
 
The Role:
Columba College seeks a dynamic and visionary Principal to lead the College in its next chapter of growth and success. The Principal will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the College, fostering a culture of academic excellence, inclusion and student wellbeing, while honouring the school’s Presbyterian heritage and strong community ties.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and strategic direction to ensure the delivery of high quality academic programmes, including a focus on future pathways and holistic student development
• Strengthening the College’s values driven culture, rooted in respect, excellence and social responsibility, and ensuring these are embedded throughout the curriculum and daily life
• Collaborating with staff to ensure that all students receive a tailored and inclusive learning experience, with a focus on wellbeing, engagement and academic success
• Building strong, respectful relationships with staff, students, whānau, iwi, Presbytery and the broader community, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Championing the integration of boarding and international student programmes, ensuring alignment with the College’s ethos, values and strategic goals

Ideal Principal Profile:
The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate:

• A proven track record of success in senior leadership positions, ideally as a Principal in secondary or integrated education
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to drive academic innovation while maintaining the College’s legacy of academic excellence
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience in leading schools that embrace cultural diversity and inclusivity
• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to lead with empathy, building trust and rapport with students, staff and the community
• Experience in leading change with a collaborative and transparent approach, fostering a school culture that values feedback and professional growth
• A genuine passion for education, with a focus on student wellbeing, lifelong learning, and preparing students for future success
• Leadership experience in managing and supporting both academic and non-academic teams, with a focus on professional development and staff wellbeing

The Principal will be a ‘hands on’, visible leader who will lead by example, modelling the College’s values and fostering a thriving, positive school culture where students and staff feel supported and empowered.
 
To view the position description please copy and paste the link into your web browser: https://bit.ly/4u10qHL
To view the candidate briefing document please copy and paste the link into your web browser: https://bit.ly/4d05dU7
 
To Apply:
If you are an experienced and inspiring educator ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, particularly how your leadership experience aligns with the responsibilities and values of Columba College.

For more information or to have a confidential discussion, please contact:

Rosie Robinson, Education Pillar Lead | 027 221 2080 | rosie.robinson@brannigans.co.nz

Working at Columba College

Thank you for your interest in applying for a teaching role at Columba College. Our school is located on Highgate, overlooking the city of Dunedin and Otago Harbour, in beautiful grounds that feature heritage buildings alongside state-of-the-art modern facilities. Columba is an area school, with boys and girls in the Year 0 – 6 junior campus and girls only in the Years 7 – 13 middle and senior school. We have Presbyterian foundations and values, and we are a boarding school.

We have an experienced, collegial teaching staff that builds strong relationships with students and the community. Our classrooms and teaching programmes are well resourced and we have a committed and helpful team of support staff.

Columba students are friendly, polite and hard working, and make the most of the many academic, cultural, sporting and service opportunities available to them. The NZC is the foundation of all of our teaching programmes, and our NCEA and Scholarship results are among the best in New Zealand. Our programmes make use of the spectacular natural surroundings of Dunedin and the wider Otago area.

Teachers at Columba College are part of the pastoral life of the school, as form teachers. All staff participate in the special character of the College by attending weekly chapel services, a College church service each term, and integrating the Christian ethos of the College into their teaching programmes. Teachers also take part in the co-curricular life of the school through involvement in sport, cultural events and House activities. We are committed to the professional development of our staff. We welcome applications from NZTC Registered teachers, and beginning teachers.

Visits to our school to meet with key personnel and view the facilities are most welcome from prospective applicants. It is recommended that applicants refer to the school’s charter.