Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) — Scale A, Full-time Permanent
Immediate start by arrangement · Wairakei Primary School · 9km north of Taupō
The Role That Makes Every Other Role Work
Every school talks about inclusion. The best ones build a system that actually delivers it — and that system needs someone who knows how to hold it together.
This position sits at the intersection of classroom practice and school-wide strategy. You’ll be the person who knows each high-needs student’s story, who works alongside teachers to design learning that actually reaches them, and who manages the ORS relationships and documentation that keep everything on track. It is detailed work and relational work in equal measure — and for the right person, there is no more meaningful place to be in a school.
Inclusion is not a policy document. It is what happens in classrooms every day — and this role is how Wairakei makes sure it happens well.
A School That Takes This Seriously
Wairakei Primary has 350 students across Years 1–6, a growing roll, strong finances, and a community that is genuinely invested in its school. Whānau here show up — and that changes what’s possible for students who need the most from everyone around them.
Leadership understands that inclusion is a whole-school endeavour. You will have the support of the principal, access to the systems and resources to do the job properly, and genuine collaborative relationships with class teachers who want to get this right. You won’t be doing this alone — leadership is actively involved in learning support, and systems are already in place.
Established systems for IEPs and ORS are already in place — this is about strengthening and leading, not building from scratch. That’s not background detail — it reflects the standard of practice here.
What the Role Involves
This is a varied, complex, and important position. Day-to-day, you will:
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Lead the coordination of learning support across the school, with a focus on ORS-funded students
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Work directly in classrooms alongside teachers to support high-needs learners
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Manage Individual Education Plans, MOE documentation, and ORS review processes
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Build strong relationships with students, whānau, external agencies, and specialist services
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Support teachers to develop their inclusive practice — through planning, modelling, and professional conversation
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Maintain accurate records and ensure the school meets its obligations to every learner
A note on units: this role is offered at Scale A without management units at this stage. We’re being upfront about that. What it offers in return is a permanent full-time position, a clear and valued role in the school’s structure, and the professional scope to genuinely shape how learning support works at Wairakei.
Who We’re Looking For
You might be a specialist teacher who has found your purpose in learning support. You might be a classroom teacher who has been drawn increasingly toward this work and is ready to step into it properly. What matters most is the quality of your thinking about learners who need more.
We are looking for someone who:
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Understands the ORS framework and MOE learning support systems — or is motivated to learn them quickly
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Builds trust with whānau, particularly those navigating complex systems for the first time
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Works alongside teachers as a genuine colleague, not just a support resource
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Brings clarity and organisation to documentation without losing sight of the child behind the paperwork
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Is a skilled communicator — with children, families, teachers, and outside agencies
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Approaches every learner with high expectations and genuine belief in what’s possible
Taupō Is Worth Considering Seriously
For local teachers, you already know what’s here. For those considering the move — Taupō sits at the heart of the central North Island, on the shores of the country’s largest lake, surrounded by mountains, trails, rivers, and the kind of life that recovers you properly at the end of a week.
The cost of living is manageable. The commute is short. Wairakei Village is a genuine community. Teachers who’ve made the shift to Taupō tend to stop revisiting that decision fairly quickly.
Position Details
Position: Full-time, permanent — Scale A
Start date: Immediate, by arrangement. We will begin reviewing applications as they are received.
Applications close: Midday, April 2, 2026
To Apply
Learning support done well changes what a school is capable of. If you’re the person who can do that here, we’d genuinely like to hear from you.
Please complete the application by sending a cover letter addressing the position requirements, your current CV, and contact details for three recent referees. A job description is available on request or to download below.
Email: info@wairakeitaupo.school.nz
Queries: Paula Farquhar, Principal · (07) 374 8035
Vacancy Downloads
An application form must be completed for the application to be accepted.
Scale A Teacher Job Description 2026 PDF
