We are seeking to establish a pool of Associate Principals for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2027 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.

Merriwa Education Support Centre (MESC) is a vibrant and growing specialist primary school committed to providing high-quality educational programs for students with disabilities from Kindergarten to Year 6. Co-located with Merriwa Primary School since 1995, our school works within an inclusive campus model that promotes collaboration, participation and success for all students.

Our students present with a diverse range of needs, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, global developmental delay, physical disabilities and complex communication needs. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student is known, valued and empowered to achieve their personal best.

Working closely with students, families, allied health professionals and community partners, our staff maintain high expectations and implement evidence-based practices that develop communication, independence, engagement and lifelong learning skills.

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

The Role

As Associate Principal, you would be a key member of the leadership team, working collaboratively with the Principal to enact the school's vision and strategic priorities. You would provide instructional and operational leadership that promotes high quality teaching, learning and student engagement while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Suitable applicants should ideally display a strong commitment to inclusive education and possess the interpersonal skills necessary to build productive relationships with staff, families, external agencies and the wider community. You will ideally lead and support staff through coaching, mentoring and modelling effective practice, building collective capacity to improve outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Suitable applicants would drive whole-school priorities, supporting curriculum implementation and ensuring consistent evidence-based practices across the school. Highly desirable areas of expertise include:

• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).
• Western Australian Curriculum implementation through differentiated and cross-curricular approaches.
• ABLEWA, SEN planning and online reporting processes.
• Early Years Learning Framework and Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines.
• Purposeful play-based learning.
• Complex case management and coordinated student support.
• Positive Behaviour Support, Behaviour Education and trauma-informed practices.
• TEACCH and support for students with complex communication needs.

Suitable applicants will ideally have experience supporting students with a range of disabilities and complex needs, including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, global developmental delay, cerebral palsy and complex medical needs. Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing disability funding and working collaboratively with external service providers will be highly regarded.

You would contribute to strategic planning, policy development, change management and the effective management of staff, physical resources and school operations to ensure the ongoing delivery of high quality educational outcomes.

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 Karen Macri, Principal, on (08) 6206 2330 or emailing Karen.Macri@education.wa.edu.au.

During the school holidays, please contact Karen Macri on 0421 637 272 or email Karen.Macri@education.wa.edu.au.  

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 three (3) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
  1. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
  2. High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
  3. 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).
  4. 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/DP1067550

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Thursday, 29 October 2026