This is a 12 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2026 with possible extension (24 months)
Cocos Islands District High School (DHS) is undoubtedly one of the most unique educational environments in Australia. Located on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, it is the most westerly of Australia's territories, situated in the Indian Ocean approximately 2900 kilometres northwest of Perth and 2600 kilometres west of Darwin. Its nearest neighbour is Christmas Island, positioned 900 kilometres to the northeast.
The Cocos Islands DHS is a Commonwealth school operated under an agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments. This agreement enables the Department of Education to offer educational programs at Cocos Islands DHS that are comparable to those provided in similar mainland Western Australian communities.
Cocos Islands DHS is a Kindergarten to Year 10 (K-10) institution with two campuses: Home Island and West Island. Home Island primarily serves students in Years K-6 who come from an English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EALD) background, specifically Cocos Malay. In contrast, West Island's primary classes (K-6) mainly consist of students from an Anglo-Australian background, while the Year 7 to 10 classes include a mix of students from both islands. Each deputy serves as campus manager at a specific site and alternates between campuses as needed to fulfil their responsibilities.
At Cocos Islands DHS, we are committed to achieving “high levels of learning for all students.” We provide quality education in a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment. Our close-knit community nurtures children academically, socially, and emotionally from Kindergarten to Year 10. Our motto, ‘Kerjasama & Kejayaan’ (Cooperation & Achievement), reflects our belief in collaboration with the community for meaningful outcomes. Partnerships among students, teachers, and the community are vital to our culture. Our school prides itself on its pastoral care and inclusivity, which support the development of students as high-functioning members of the community.
Find out more about our school by visiting Schools Online
The Role
The successful applicant would provide educational leadership in the school, with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy development, while promoting the school's values, ethos, and priorities. The role requires supporting the principal in developing and implementing the school's Business and Operational plans. They should also assist the principal in ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, departmental policies and procedures, as well as managing financial, physical, and human resources.
The deputy should ideally be an instructional leader, fostering the development of others while collaboratively pursuing Business Plan objectives and whole-school initiatives. These initiatives involve enhancing literacy and numeracy results, executing effective data analysis, differentiating curricula, engaging in teacher self-reflection, and facilitating parent engagement. Ideally, candidates should possess extensive knowledge of the Western Australian curriculum and stay current with the latest research and evidence-based teaching practices.
The successful applicant should ideally possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, along with the diplomacy to adapt their leadership style to achieve the best outcomes for everyone, while modelling and promoting the school’s vision and values. They should ideally have the capacity to engage effectively with parents, students, and the community in a culturally respectful manner. They should commit to fostering an inclusive and collaborative school culture, operating with the utmost integrity and consistently exemplifying appropriate standards of conduct and behaviour. The successful applicant should contribute to a positive team culture and embrace a flexible approach to the unique challenges of working at Cocos Islands District High School.
Applicants are encouraged to learn more about our school and the context in which they will work by reading the attached additional Information sheet and CIDHS Strategic Plan, which includes the benefits, challenges, and considerations of working there.
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 Paul Jefferies, Principal on (08) 91627592 or Paul.Jefferies@education.wa.edu.au Please note that due to limited telecommunication the preferred initial contact is through email.
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 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: SS/DP987994
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, 28 August 2025
