Associate Principal

Are you an exceptional educational leader ready for your next challenge? Sommerville is a large specialist school supporting 400+ ORS-funded learners aged 5–21 across Auckland’s eastern corridor. We include our Panmure base, satellite classes in 15 mainstream schools, a transition programme for young adults and an Outreach Service, supported by a multidisciplinary team of approximately 300 staff.

We are a nationally recognised, award-winning school with a reputation for innovation, inclusive practice and educational leadership, including recognition through the Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Awards. Learn more about Sommerville School: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Y6I8kq9SU8_n3Of. Lbu_c7ZzcT_SofrE/view We are seeking an exceptional Associate Principal to join our high-performing senior leadership team at an exciting time as we redevelop our Base.

You will help shape our strategic direction, strengthen teaching and learning, grow leadership capability and foster a connected, inclusive culture where learners, whānau and staff thrive. You may be an experienced specialist education leader or an exceptional mainstream leader ready to bring your expertise to a complex, highly inclusive setting.

What matters most is your leadership capability, commitment to equitable outcomes, curiosity and belief in every learner’s potential. Our Associate Principal will: lead teaching and learning with high expectations for every ākonga build high-trust relationships with learners, staff, whānau, schools, iwi and community partners be visible, approachable, compassionate and transparent think strategically and translate strategy into action inspire and lead change in a complex, diverse organisation grow others through coaching, mentoring and distributed leadership demonstrate culturally responsive leadership grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi bring innovation, curiosity and fresh thinking while valuing others’ expertise communicate with clarity, warmth and purpose.

Our people are Sommerville’s superpower. We seek a leader who will invest in them and contribute generously to our collaborative culture. Portfolios will reflect the successful applicant’s strengths and evolving school needs. Visits offered to shortlisted candidates. Applications close Sunday 6 September 2026 To access the application pack for this position, including the full position description, please copy and paste the link below into your browser: https://drive.

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