Job Title: Deputy Principal

Contract: 2 year with option to extend, commencing 2027 (flexible start date)

Reports to: Principal

Summary

Milkwood Steiner School (Djandjag) is situated on Larrakia land (Darwin), in the tropical north of Australia delivering a Steiner Curriculum to 170 students from Kindergarten to Class 10.

We are a thriving, growing school with a welcoming community and children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our College of Teachers is committed to applying the richness of a Steiner Education to the unique cultural and environmental context of Australia’s Top End.

Milkwood teachers are supported by highly experienced teacher assistants and a rich release/specialist subject program. A College of Teachers, Learning Enrichment Program, Music program, Indonesian language classes, Health and PE, Playgroup, Craft group, After School Care and Adult Education program enrich this space.

Being a servant leader in this community is a commitment to Milkwood’s values of Dignity, Courage, Imagination and Spirit, and an opportunity to contribute to the growth of a unique and important education option for families in the Top End.

Position description

Role and Requirements

This position description includes reference to the School Principal and the Deputy Principal to differentiate between these expectations of these two roles, their responsibilities and their authority to act.

The School Principal serves as the Educational Leader and Business Manager, responsible for developing and executing the school’s Strategic Plan and Mission Statement, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for healthy and child-safe school operations, leading the realisation of the school’s Mission Statement while maintaining strong governance, compliance, financial stewardship and community engagement.

The Deputy Principal is a new role at our school commencing 2027.

The Deputy Principal supports and reports to the Principal, managing daily operations, student discipline, and staff supervision, while maintaining a classroom teaching practice that models best practice.

Organisational objectives of the role

As the school has grown, a Deputy Principal supports the development of middle management and distributed leadership. In the coming years,



the Deputy Principal will support the development of a Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Principal. The establishment of this role for the first time at Milkwood resources the school with a sustainable model of leadership succession.

Key Responsibilities

- Uphold Milkwood’s values through conduct and applications of their role, leading by example.
- Fulfil duties delegated by and under the supervision of the Principal including duties for:
- Operational management including day-to-day school logistics, student conduct and wellbeing, child-safety, cultural and learning programs, festivals and events, schedules;
- Staff support including coaching, timetabling, management of relief staff, staff wellbeing;
- Policy and Strategy including helping to implement and communicate the school’s policies, monitor performance, identify and mitigate risk, and execute the Principal’s overall vision.
- Succession and substitution: stepping in to an Acting Principal role when the Principal is absent

- Maintain a visible teaching practice, modelling best practice to other teachers. This role incorporates approximately 0.4FTE of regular classroom practice, as well as regular time in classrooms providing observations, modelling or parallel teaching to support staff professional learning and growth.
- Support the management of complaints and conflict in accordance with the school’s complaint escalation pathways.
- Attend any meetings, or carry out other tasks delegated by the School Principal.

Personal attributes and skills The Deputy Principal of Milkwood Steiner school is a person of integrity, who upholds the impulse and values of Milkwood Steiner in their approach to relationships with people, time and place. The Deputy Principal demonstrates skills in communication, mediation/conflict resolution, child-centred practice and servant leadership.



They work independently and have the skills to triage effectively at times of increased demands.

The Deputy

Principal has the skills to “hold space” in the school in matters that may require a response from the Principal, and seeks to provide a sense of harmony and stability in the school during such periods. They are sensitive to the need to maintain healthy and professional relationships in a small community, and sensitive to issues of confidentiality and privacy.

Working Hours

This is a full-time role that requires flexible working practices and an ability to prioritise and delegate.

Qualifications, Training, Experience

- Senior management or leadership experience, preferably in a school setting
- Experience and qualifications in Steiner Education
- NT Working With Children Clearance (WWCC)
- NT TRB Registration
- Ochre Card

Essential Selection Criteria

- A commitment to the principles of Steiner Education, including qualifications and/or commitment to Professional Development in Steiner Education
- Demonstrated ability to foster healthy, professional relationships with and amongst Traditional Owners, staff, volunteers, parents/members and students
- Commitment to collaborative work practices and child-centred decision-making processes.
- Ability to maintain discipline, and lead staff for healthy professional relationships with students, including understandings of cultural safety and Trauma-informed practice.
- Evidence of successfully developing teams of staff, including delegating effectively and managing change.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and acknowledge excellence, as well as the ability and resolve to respond to underperformance effectively and decisively to manage professional conduct and practice.
- Robust management skills and experience in a school environment.
- Demonstrated understanding of regulatory requirements of independent schools.

Desirable Selection Criteria

- Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the role, please contact [email protected] To apply, please submit cover letter addressing the selection criteria, CV, registration documents and 2 references to [email protected] by 23 October 2026.

📌 Millkwood Steiner School Deputy Principal (Chatswood)
🏢 Steiner Education Australia (SEA)
📍 Chatswood