Advertised Vacancy Number: PR918361
This is a permanent, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2025
The Department of Education is looking for an innovative, team-focused and visionary Principal to lead the establishment and management of a new School of Swimming and Water Safety (SSaWS).
The Principal of this new school will collaborate with schools, parents, the wider community, aquatic industry stakeholders and the Swimming and Water Safety branch to provide services and supports that reinforce water safety skills as key elements of the Western Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum. This includes ensuring that swimming lessons are delivered to approximately 230,000 school students each year through the VacSwim and In-Term swimming programs.
This is an opportunity to lead and manage a unique school from its inception. The role will strengthen and strategically expand the provision of swimming and water safety education to Western Australian children and young people. It provides an opportunity to refine and diversify swimming and water safety education by strengthening the services and support provided to schools, students, and the wider community.
In creating the new SSaWS, the Department has committed to working with stakeholders to review the current service delivery model with an emphasis on:
- expanding and sustaining a high-quality swimming instructor workforce
- maximising access to swimming and water safety programs in regional areas
- enhancing access to programs, with an emphasis on meeting the specific needs of equity cohorts
- strengthening connections to the Western Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
In Western Australia, the Department of Education delivers swimming and water safety programs for all Western Australian young people aged 5 to 17 through both VacSwim and Interm swimming programs. Interm and VacSwim swimming programs have been in existence for over 100 years and are considered an integral part of Western Australian culture:
- Interm swimming is a school-based swimming program for children in Pre-Primary to Year 7. Interm programs are provided free of charge to all public schools and regional non-government schools, with families generally paying for pool entry and transport costs.
- VacSwim is a swimming program for children aged 5 to 17 conducted in the October and December/January school holidays. VacSwim programs are heavily subsidised by the State Government.
- The Department delivers Interm and VacSwim programs to almost 230,000 students annually across the State and employs over 180 full-time equivalent employees each year.
About the Role
As the Principal, you will lead the strategic delivery of swimming and water safety programs across the State, embedded within the broader model of services and support delivered through Statewide Services. Initially, you will work with stakeholders to develop a sustainable and scalable service delivery model, informed by the principles of accessibility, equity, safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will provide leadership, management, and support to staff as the SSaWS progressively implements initiatives and incorporates functions to facilitate the Department’s delivery of swimming instruction. The SSaWS is slated to be fully operational by the start of 2027.
The successful applicant will provide educational leadership within the school and across Statewide Services, promoting the vision and values of the school in the context of improving access to the swimming and water safety program, ensuring more young people learn how to swim and stay safe around water.
As Principal, you will build productive partnerships across Statewide Services, public schools, non-government schools, and aquatic industry stakeholders to provide high-quality services to students attending Interm and VacSwim lessons. You will encourage collaboration, coordination, and integration of services and support structures, strengthening and differentiating program delivery.
In strengthening links to the Western Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum, you will lead the school to develop tiered approaches to swimming instruction, liaising with external providers where required.
The successful applicant will have experience, credibility, and an ability to manage student support programs, people-centred change management, service delivery and operating model design, strategic workforce planning, and continuous business improvement.
With approximately 230,000 students participating in swimming lessons during the 2024 school year and an additional 30,000 forecast to enrol in summer VacSwim courses, the Principal has a key responsibility to provide ongoing training and professional development to the staff and ensure a culturally responsive learning approach for all students.
To facilitate oversight of Vacswim programs during school vacation periods, the Department has received approval to require the Principal of the SSaWS to work during the summer school vacation period, with an entitlement to recreational leave equivalent to student vacation leave in a standard school to be taken throughout the school year. This approval is in place for 2025 and 2026, with leave arrangements from 2027 onwards to be confirmed.
About the School
Find out more about the School of Swimming and Water Safety here. Find out more about how the Department supports swimming lessons here.
For Further Job Related Information
Full details of the role, including selection criteria and eligibility and training requirements, are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more specific information on the role and responsibilities, please contact Stuart Percival, Assistant Executive Director, Service Delivery on 08 9402 6102 or Stuart.Percival@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.
Application Instructions
To be considered for this position, please complete the online application form that includes details of 2 work related referees (one being your current line manager), and attach the following:
- A 5 page statement addressing the selection criteria (found in the attached JDF), in the context of the role and business needs of the school
- A CV of up to 3 pages that includes your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
Please refer to the attached documentation for further information on how to apply. It is recommended you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.
Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.
For technical support submitting your application, or if you do not receive a confirmation email once submitted, please contact us for assistance on 08 9264 8317.
Subsequent Appointments
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.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) Friday, 11 October 2024.
