This is a 12 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension and/or permanency

Towards Tomorrow - Creating a successful future for all!

At Karratha Senior High School (SHS) we empower every student to embrace opportunities, build resilience, and contribute positively to society.

Karratha SHS is an independent public school for students from Years 7 to 12. We pride ourselves on delivering quality education to a diverse population of approximately 1270 students who live in Karratha and surrounding towns. Our well-maintained facilities create an inviting and inclusive environment for all students. Our diverse team of educators, range from enthusiastic graduates to Level 3 classroom teachers and Senior teachers. The school has developed a strong local reputation for over 50 years for producing responsible, engaged, compassionate young people who graduate to become contributing members of our society.

Karratha SHS offers excellent programs for students to pursue music, drama, art, sport and outdoor education. Our state-of-the-art Technologies building provides excellent facilities for students to learn valuable skills for careers in trades industries. Our Health and Physical Education (HPE) department is located in the Karratha Leisureplex and our students benefit from a co-location arrangement with the City of Karratha.

Our school has 4 priority areas which drive our day-to-day operations:

• Conditions for learning: Maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment to support students’ learning, wellbeing and engagement 
• Curriculum and teaching: Support high-quality teaching and learning in all classrooms
• Build staff capability: Identify, develop and support our workforce through consistent, high-quality leadership
• Strong community partnerships and relationships: Enhance engagement practices with parents, families, community stakeholders and external agencies

We are committed to teaching and learning excellence in every classroom. Our whole-school instructional model ensures consistent, high-quality teaching that supports all students to achieve success and pursue their aspirations. We aim to create an environment where students are challenged, engaged, and supported with their learning. With a focus on explicit teaching, teachers provide clear, consistent and purposeful lessons across all year levels to reduce variability and ensure every student experience high-quality instruction in every classroom. Formal and informal instructional coaching and support is provided to all teachers.

Underpinning our teaching is a strong focus on trauma informed practice and the use of Positive Behaviour strategies to ensure all students are well supported. These approaches reinforce our core values of Responsibility, Respect and Inclusivity, creating a culture where every student feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.

Find out more about our school by visiting karrathashs.wa.edu.au and more about Karratha by viewing the video below.

The Role

We are seeking a highly focused and enthusiastic school leader who will collaboratively lead within the Student Services team by focusing on student wellbeing through the lens of student engagement, attendance, positive mental health and collaboratively coordinating and/or delivering preventative programs addressing identified areas of concern. Experience of working with students and families from a wide range of backgrounds using trauma informed practice is highly desirable. The successful applicant will work in collaboration with the Executive Team, Heads of Learning Area (HOLAs), other Program Coordinators and external agencies to manage and resolve student engagement and wellbeing issues. You will be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including in parent/carer meetings, case conferences, referrals to support agencies and restorative practice discussions between individuals to resolve any potential conflict.

This represents an exciting opportunity for a leader who has a strong vision, experience, and professional knowledge regarding student wellbeing and the skills required to lead, manage and build capacity in teaching and non-teaching staff who comprise the Student Services Team. The successful applicant would support activities and initiatives developed and implemented by the Student Wellbeing Team, to continue to develop a positive school culture and relationships between students and staff.

The successful applicant will ideally have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to maximise the effectiveness of the Student Wellbeing team by continuing to develop a calm, productive environment and a culture where everyone can contribute. The successful applicant would need to be inclusive, flexible and proactive as they collaborate with the broader Student Wellbeing Team (including School Psychologists, Chaplains, Student Support Officers, Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers, Clontarf Academy and Stars Foundation) and families to co-design proactive strategies and supports for students with ongoing wellbeing and/or behaviour needs.at a class, year or whole school level.

Strengths in behaviour management and knowledge of current behaviour support principles and practices, aligned with the Department of Education Managing Student Behaviour are integral to the role. Knowledge and training in Classroom Management Strategies (CMS), trauma-informed practices, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) will be highly regarded. The successful applicant will play a significant role in the daily management of student behaviour, health and wellbeing, engagement and attendance.

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education comes with a wide range of benefits designed to support both your professional and personal well-being. These benefits include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, extensive training and career development opportunities, and attractive leave provisions. Here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:

• Attractive Country Teaching Program Allowance of $8 020 a year
• District allowance of $9 449 a year
• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• More than 20 days of other leave, including sick leave and carers’ leave
• Subsidised accommodation where applicable
• Free relocation
• Air-conditioning subsidy

Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

For additional information to all allowances and housing please contact Housing and Transport at housing.transport@education.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9264 5154.

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 Stacey Gordon, Deputy Principal, on (08) 9182 6900 or emailing stacey.mansfield@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; and
• A four (4) 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 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/SA1064073

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 Thursday, 17 August 2026