This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2026
“The school of choice, empowering all learners to succeed.”
The School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Associate Principal to join our Kindergarten to Year 12 Executive and Leadership Team, with a focus on leading education across the Secondary Years.
We are one of the largest Kindergarten to Year 12 schools in the State, with over 1,000 students, including 350+ in Secondary. Our vibrant community includes approximately 50% Aboriginal students and 40% EALD learners, with more than 20 languages spoken across our school. Situated on a large and attractive site in the heart of Kununurra, our school reflects the diversity of the East Kimberley region, drawing from local Aboriginal communities and families connected to agriculture, horticulture, mining, and service industries. We work closely with a wide range of State and Commonwealth agencies to provide the best possible support for our students.
Our commitment is to ensure that all students—regardless of ability or learning style—are empowered to reach their full potential in a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment. We encourage active participation, foster individual interests, and help students apply their knowledge and skills to real-life challenges.
Find out more about our school by visiting Schools Online.
The Role
The Associate Principal will ideally work collaboratively with the Executive, College, and Secondary Leadership Teams to lead whole-school strategic directions, particularly across the Secondary Years. Ideally the successful applicant would:
- Lead and model the school vision and values, ensuring they are embedded in everyday practice.
- Drive data-informed decision-making and a strong moral purpose in all aspects of teaching and learning.
- Foster culturally responsive pedagogies and inclusive practices that reflect our community.
- Build and sustain productive relationships with staff, students, families, and partners.
- Lead and manage a high-performing leadership team, including Deputy Principals, Program Coordinators, and Heads of Learning.
Key Focus Areas (Next 3–5 Years)
- Workforce planning to recruit, retain, and develop high-quality staff.
- Embedding consistency in systems, processes, and expectations across the school.
- Strengthening secondary pathways that are responsive, inclusive, provide choice, engagement, and success for every student.
- Leading the implementation of the Quality Teaching Strategy, including Teaching for Impact and collaborative school partnerships.
- Supporting and embedding Program Kaartdijin and key wellbeing and engagement initiatives.
The successful applicant should be strategic, innovative, culturally responsive, collaborative, and solutions-focused, with the capacity to lead improvement and change across a complex and diverse school environment.
The successful applicant will ideally possess a broad knowledge of Department of Education systems and process, including Reporting-to-Parents, SIS Classic (with experience managing whole-school timetabling) and Program Kaartdijin.
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 a year
- District allowance of $7 436 a year
- Temporary Attraction and Retention incentive of $7 000
- 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
- 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
- Subsidised accommodation where applicable
- Free relocation
- Travel Concession
- Air conditioning subsidy
- More than 20 days of other leave, including sick leave and carers’ leave
Teachers and School Administrators employed at East Kimberley College in 2026 are eligible to receive a temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $7 000 (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?
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 Learne Dunne, Principal on (08) 9168 4400 or emailing leane.dunne@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
- A five (5) 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:
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, 5 December 2025
