Head of Outdoor Education

Pymble Ladies’ College is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia for girls Kindergarten to Year 12 with boarding from Year 7. At Pymble, we foster a world‑class educational environment with the importance of global citizenship and a worldwide perspective central to our strategic intent.

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location:

Vision Valley

Job Category:
Education & Training

We believe our staff, both teaching and non‑teaching, are our most valuable resource. We are proud to have passionate and dedicated staff who recognise the unique strengths and qualities of every Pymble girl.

Our Outdoor Education Continuum takes girls from their first experiences in the outdoors in Kindergarten through to life‑changing journeys in their senior years. As Head of Outdoor Education, you will lead that continuum: crafting experiences that are transformative as well as safe, and sequencing learning that is both fun and challenging as our girls build resilience, problem‑solving skills and a deep connection to self, others and the environment.

This is a role for someone who wants to shape a program, not simply run one. You will design, resource and deliver Outdoor Education and experiential learning across Kindergarten to Year 12, linking it directly to the curriculum and to our wellbeing framework of Mind, Body and Spirit: nurturing the spirit through connection to nature, strengthening the body through purposeful challenge, and growing the mind through reflection.

Based at our Vision Valley Campus in Arcadia, the position is split between the planning and preparation of programs and educating in the field, with regular work at the Pymble campus and at other locations across NSW, interstate and overseas. You will report to the Head of Campus – Vision Valley, partner closely with the Deputy Principal, Heads of Schools and the College Executive team, and lead a specialist team of outdoor education staff.

You will also hold operational oversight of risk management across all Vision Valley programming, both onsite and offsite, ensuring programs meet the Australian and NSW Adventure Activity Standards and that our facilities, operations and processes continue to exceed industry best practice.

• A genuine willingness to support the ethos and values of the College
• Proven experience in Outdoor Education, including knowledge of current best practice, experiential learning and adolescent development
• Demonstrated instructional experience or qualifications across disciplines such as bush walking, canoeing and kayaking, rock climbing, high and low ropes, mountain biking and adventure-based learning
• The capacity to take a Kindergarten to Year 12 perspective in decision‑making and program facilitation, with the ability to identify, support and lead the improvement of an evolving program
• A sound working understanding of risk management and work health and safety in outdoor environments
• Proven experience managing the administrative systems and logistics of outdoor education programs for large groups
• Staff leadership experience, including recruiting, rostering, mentoring and developing teams, and setting clear expectations for professional conduct and performance
• The capacity to work within existing financial budgets and towards revenue targets
• Effective relationship management skills with external service providers, contractors, venues and authorities, parents and carers, local residents and other stakeholders
• Well‑developed communication, time management and organisational skills
• An understanding of the importance of student health and wellbeing, and of balance in workloads
• Physical fitness and health, and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle to students

• Diploma of Outdoor Leadership or a tertiary qualification in Outdoor Education
• Certified and accredited teaching qualifications
• Current Wilderness First Aid certificate, and a water safety and rescue qualification
• A formal work health and safety or risk management qualification, such as a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
• Activity‑specific national leadership or guiding awards across…