This is a 6 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension and/or permanency

Warnbro Community High School (WCHS) is ideally seeking highly motivated and effective Associate Principal.

Our moral purpose is ‘to make a positive difference to the lives of young people’.  As an Associate Principal at WCHS you will be part of a professional community committed to engaging in practice supported by evidence and research to best meet the needs of our students.  WCHS has an established culture of pedagogy and practice grounded in an explicit instruction approach across all Learning Areas.  Underpinning our teaching is a strong focus on trauma informed practice, the use of Positive Behaviour strategies and consistent practices through our Classroom Mastery program to establish the pre conditions for learning. 

The school’s learning environment has a focus on student wellbeing and setting high expectations.  Established specialist programs in Adventure Recreation and Creative Arts are offered as well as highly  regarded enrichment and remediation pathways.  We aim to create an environment where students are challenged, engaged and supported with their learning.  Senior School opportunities include a wide range of VET pathways with many linked to the opportunities emerging through local industry development along the Western Trade Coast in Kwinana. ATAR pathways offered include the opportunity to engage with Curtin University’s UniReady program as an alternative entry pathway. 

The school has an established professional learning culture leading the development of whole school priorities.  Termly Professional Learning provides staff with ongoing opportunities to develop their practice, whilst staying connected to contemporary approaches.  The vibrant professional learning community is a highlight of working in a school that consistently identifies its students as its primary source of meaning. 

Find out more about our school by visiting www.warnbro.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

For the duration of this appointment the Associate Principal would lead the Student Services team and provide strategic leadership, in line with the WCHS Business Plan, alongside providing operational leadership of student services, wellbeing, engagement and support across WCHS.  The role would be responsible for leading and managing effective systems and processes that support a coordinated, consistent and responsive approach to student support. This may include ensuring effective case management practices, clear pathways for referral and intervention, appropriate documentation and follow-up, and strong communication between Student Services, teaching staff, families and external agencies including local primary partnerships.

The successful applicant should display strong knowledge and application of relevant Department of Education policy, procedures and legislative requirements, particularly in relation to student wellbeing, behaviour, attendance, engagement, child protection and duty of care. They would ensure Student Services practices are compliant, defensible and consistently implemented across the school.

Capacity to lead and develop effective multidisciplinary teams would be highly regarded. The Associate Principal should establish clear expectations, strengthen individual and collective accountability, build the capability of staff and ensure resources are deployed where they have the greatest impact. They would work closely with Student Services Managers, Year Coordinators, support staff and other school leaders to ensure roles are clear and students receive coordinated support.

The Associate Principal will ideally use student data to identify trends and emerging needs; evaluate the effectiveness of interventions; and inform decisions about resources, programs and school-wide approaches. This could include using attendance, behaviour, engagement, wellbeing, PBS and achievement data to move Student Services beyond responding to individual incidents towards proactive and preventative approaches.

As a member of the Executive Team, the Associate Principal would play a significant role in driving a positive school culture. They should promote high expectations, consistent practices and shared responsibility for student wellbeing, engagement and behaviour to create the conditions in which students can successfully engage in learning.

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Debra Bright, Principal, on (08) 9528 9400 or emailing Debra.Bright@education.wa.edu.au.

During the school holidays, please contact Debra Bright on 0436 679 708 or via email.

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• hold registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website or in the attached application package.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include:

• A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• A maximum four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
  • Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
  • High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
  • Demonstrated professional knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure a high level of educational outcomes for all students, (e.g. Aboriginal students, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with special needs).
  • Demonstrated capacity to manage staff, physical and financial resources.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/DP1063027

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 26 October 2026