This is a 12 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 3, 2025 with possible extension and/or permanency
Derby District High School (DHS) is a dynamic school with a highly motivated, supportive and collaborative staff of over 100 people. With an enrolment of over 600 students, it provides an education program for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 (K-12). Students attend the school from the town of Derby and outlying areas including the Aboriginal Communities of Mowanjum and Pandanus Park. The collaborative approach, exciting work environment and the students make it a great place to teach. Staff are passionate about improving standards in Education, particularly in Aboriginal Education. There is an active and strong social club to ensure that staff are well supported both in and out of school.
Derby is 220 km east of Broome by road and is 2463 km north of Perth. It was the first town settled in the Kimberley. The town is well supported with a range of government infrastructures. Its location near the King Sound and a number of rivers provides for many boating and fishing recreational activities - but not swimming!
Find out more about our school by visiting or Schools Online
The Role
Derby DHS is an exciting place to work. New graduates are supported by a range of experienced teachers and curriculum specialists. Whole school programs and processes are very important to us and make the induction into our school a well-supported process.
The school is currently part of the Kimberley School’s Project and supports staff to implement a targeted approach to teaching and learning programs. This includes Daily Reviews and in the Early Years, Let’s Decode. The school is committed to supporting the development of its staff through a wide range of professional development opportunities, and as such will look for your commitment to engage with this to further develop your teaching practice.
The successful applicant will ideally be a dedicated and motivated educator who has experience working from K -12, is interested in teaching across many subject areas and have the ability to adapt to new environments quickly. We value Teachers who can flexibly move from classroom to classroom when needed during the school day, possesses solid organisational and management skills to deal with and complex classroom behaviours.
Additionally, our ideal Teacher would have strong communication skills and be a team player. They would use their interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with students and their families and have the empathy, patience and understanding to work with children with highly complex needs, whilst understanding the changing engagement norms that today’s students are seeking at school.
Derby DHS is committed to the principles and implementation of the Stronger, Smarter, Positive behaviour in Schools Approach and as such firmly believes in explicitly teaching and supporting students to develop positive behaviours that will ensure they have success at school. Applicants with experience in Positive Behaviour Interventions and Support (PBIS) are strongly encouraged to apply.
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 $13 730 per year
- District allowance of $7 436 a year
- Temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $5 000 see info below.
- 11.5 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
You may be eligible for HELP/HECS assistance if you are working in a very remote location – click here for details
Teachers and school administrators employed at Derby District High School in 2025 are eligible to receive a temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $5 000 (pa, gross – to be adjusted pro rata for FTE and tenure). Eligible staff will receive a percentage of this payment on commencement at the school, with the remainder paid at the end of the school year. Staff must remain employed in the location until the end of the school year to be eligible to receive the second payment.
The temporary ARI payment is in addition to other incentives that may apply in this school.
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?
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Hilary Carruthers, Associate Principal, Derby District High School, on (08) 9193 3000 or emailing Hilary.Carruthers@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:
- hold an eligible teacher qualification and registration.
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment. More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website.
- apply for a WA Working with Children Check before you start; and
- consent to and obtain a National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.
Application Instructions
All applications must be submitted online.
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
- Complete the online application, including details of two (2) work-related referees, with one (1) preferably being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
Your application should include:
- A statement of up to three (3) pages, demonstrating your Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice, and Professional Engagement aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the context of the position and school.
- A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
It is recommended you have your attachments ready before you start your application.
For tips on writing your best teaching job application and more information about working for the Department of Education, go to the Department’s Careers Page or see our applicant resource attached.
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: SS/TCH9961038
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, 30 May 2025
