Corinna Robertson - Principal, School Leadership Institute

We are here at Homebush West Public School on Wangal land of the Dharug people. Wherever you are, we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all our Aboriginal colleagues.

Today we're releasing the first ever Middle Leader Role Description.

The role description has been developed by the School Leadership Institute following an extensive consultation, research and review process. Based on recommendations from the Middle Leader Research Report, we have consulted widely with our colleagues in schools and across the system in developing this role description, which has been informed by the Australian Professional Standard for Teachers.

The new role description is an important and positive development because it gives our 10,000 assistant principals and head teachers, our middle leaders, clarity and certainty about their role and key accountabilities.

Middle leaders lead from a unique position, working with the senior executive and/or principal, their middle leader colleagues, as well as leading teams of teachers.

Crystal Tuazon - Assistant Principal, Homebush West Public School

For me, as an assistant principal, it's fantastic to have a role description that sets out clearly and explicitly what I do every day as a leader in my school community. As middle leaders, we have a direct impact on teaching and learning.

We lead teams and influence student learning outcomes in and beyond our own classrooms. I think this will be a practical tool for me to use when I'm setting my goals for the year or having conversations with my principal.

Murat Dizdar - Deputy Secretary, School Performance (South)

This role description clearly defines the middle leader role. It frames the work of middle leaders in leading teaching and learning and developing self and others. It is part of our department's support for the ongoing development of current and future school leaders at all levels.

There is a strong emphasis, and rightly so, on the importance of the personal and interpersonal qualities that influence and impact relationships with senior school leaders, with staff, with other colleagues and the wider school community.

Joanne Jarvis - Director, School Leadership Institute

It also focuses on assistant principals and head teachers as leaders and co-learners engaging in their own collaborative inquiry to improve professional knowledge and practice, while challenging, inspiring and motivating others.

And finally, at the heart of this role description is the moral purpose of the role of the middle leader, a focus on giving every student in every school the best possible start in life through providing them with a great education and the opportunity to thrive.

Corinna Robertson

The role description acknowledges the complex work assistant principals and head teachers do every day in terms of both classroom practice and through their leadership. It also emphasises the importance of their development as a co-learner and in supporting the growth of school teams.

The role description can be used for self-reflection by middle leaders, aspiring middle leaders, and those working with middle leaders to identify strengths and areas for future learning. The focus on leading teaching and learning and developing self and others allows middle leaders to prioritise what is important for students.

Middle leaders play such an important part in the education of our young people, and we want to support you to grow and develop in your roles.

Joanne Jarvis

The Middle Leader Role Description is not only a practical resource for assistant principals and head teachers to explore best practice, but it is equally useful for principals and deputy principals so they can support the middle leaders in their context.

Right across our system, it will enable school leadership teams to generate deep and rich conversations as we reflect on and strengthen our impact on student learning.

Melissa Grima-Schmidt - Head Teacher, Macarthur Girls High School

It's really helpful for me to have my role clarified in such a logical and detailed manner. I know I'm already doing all these things as a head teacher, but it is really affirming to have them in print.

It's also going to be very helpful for me when I'm developing my PDP each year with my principal, in that I know what I need to do and my responsibilities.

Joanne Jarvis

In New South Wales public schools we lead with students at the centre of everything we do. So to have collaboration, wellbeing, inclusivity and evaluative practice highlighted really talks to the integrated nature of the work our middle leaders do.

This role description is going to be really valuable for our school leaders, and of course, through them, the teachers and students in our schools.

Head to the School Leadership Institute website, where the role description is available now, and find opportunities to register for sessions that will explore the role description in more detail.