This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 2, 2025
Esperance Senior High School (SHS) offers a comprehensive secondary education from Year 7 to 12 and provides a range of curriculum subject choices and exciting extracurricular activities.
The school has a reputation for providing strong academic and vocational programs and for offering a wide choice of courses to meet a variety of student learning needs. Students consistently achieve to a high level in a variety of programs, including final Year 12 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway results.
Esperance lies in the South-East of Western Australia, some 730 kilometres from Perth. The town has won awards for its stunning natural environment and is one of Western Australia’s best kept tourist secrets.
Find out more about our school by visiting www.esperanceshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online
For more information about working in Esperance and the exciting employment opportunities we have to offer, please watch our video below.
The Role
As the Head of Department - English, you will be a key member of the administrative team, working closely with the Principal to provide educational leadership within the school and the broader community. Your primary focus will be on developing and promoting the school's vision for the English Learning Area, encouraging active participation from school staff. You will provide professional guidance to English teachers, ensuring they stay informed on relevant curriculum issues and innovations, and role model exemplary evidence-based practice as a teacher and leader, supporting teachers in all aspects of their work, including behaviour management, assessment, parent contact and strategic planning.
You will translate the priorities of the school’s Business Plan and Strategic Directions into a learning area operational plan, ensuring the effective implementation of the curriculum, including compliance, assessment, and reporting practices for Years 7 to 12. Supporting staff development both individually and as a team, holding them accountable for day-to-day work and the achievement of Learning Area goals, and employing effective performance management strategies to promote a culture of continuous improvement are crucial aspects of the role. You will conduct clear and constructive conversations when necessary, managing resilience and fostering a productive atmosphere.
Implementing change management strategies to lead the school community in accepting and developing opportunities for improved literacy outcomes within the English learning area and beyond will be part of your role. You will collaborate on the development of the school plan, involving participative decision-making, policy development and the establishment of necessary systems. Utilising high-level data gathering and analysis skills to monitor the progress of students and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching practices and team performance will be important. Familiarity with Compass or similar learning management systems will be an advantage.
Ideal Candidate: The successful applicant will ideally be an agile leader, adept at managing the day-to-day operational aspects of the learning area while also being strategically minded. They will be committed to the school’s Instructional Framework and dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the department, ensuring the achievement of broader school priorities and targets.
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:
- District Allowance of $2 399
- 11.5 percent employer contributions to superannuation
- 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
- subsidised accommodation where applicable
- free relocation
- additional travel concession
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 Matthew Lovejoy, Principal on (08) 9071 9555 or emailing matthew.lovejoy@education.wa.edu.au
During the school holidays, please contact Matthew Lovejoy on 0412 814 844.
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 National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.
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 five (5) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- A 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/SA960060
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 Friday, 18 April 2025
