This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026
At Rockingham Senior High School Education Support Centre (SHS ESC), we pride ourselves in being able to provide quality education to all our students in an environment that is welcoming, supportive and challenging. Our programs are designed specifically to meet the individual needs of all students. The school shares the site with Rockingham Senior High School, and we have adopted a collaborative approach to planning, sharing and delivering innovate experiences for all our students
Find out more about our school by visiting Rockingham Senior High School ESC or Schools Online
The Role
Rockingham SHS ESC is seeking a dynamic and motivated Associate Principal to join our executive leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our vision of Building Independent Futures for students with a diverse range of needs in our community.
The successful applicant would join an established leadership team and display good interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration and lead with clarity and purpose. This role calls for a motivated, energetic and resilient leader who is proactive in responding to the needs of staff and students, particularly those with complex needs. The Associate Principal will play an important role in fostering a positive, inclusive school culture and leading sustainable improvement through effective change management, with a clear focus on student outcomes, wellbeing and engagement.
Associate Principals play a key role in leading teaching and learning at Rockingham SHS ESC, ensuring the successful implementation of whole-school approaches and achievement of Business Plan targets. The successful applicant should be strategic and collaborative, committed to fostering a culture aligned to the school’s values of respect, responsibility, resilience and safety. They will lead the development, implementation and refinement of whole-school pedagogical practices, processes and systems, including the continued creation of a clear pedagogical playbook to ensure approaches such as Explicit Instruction are implemented with fidelity. The role also involves leading the collaborative design and implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum whilst promoting professional growth through instructional coaching and observation.
Our school has a strong commitment to collaborative practice through High Performing Teams (HPT), and the Associate Principal will be expected to lead and model this approach, strengthening team effectiveness, consistency and collective efficacy. As a member of the Student Services team, the Associate Principal will support a coordinated, multi-tiered approach to student wellbeing, including case management of Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports.
A deep understanding of students with diverse disabilities is important. Experience in timetabling, Disability Resource System (DRS), Special Needs Education (SEN) reporting, attendance processes and trauma-informed practice is highly desirable. If you are passionate about inclusive education and committed to making a meaningful difference, we invite you to apply and join our dedicated, forward-thinking leadership team.
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 Amanda Flood, Principal on (08) 9523 7600 or emailing amanda.flood@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 two (2) 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/DP1037525
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, 22 May 2026
