This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026
Harrisdale Senior High School (SHS) is one of the largest and fastest growing secondary schools in Western Australia, with more than 2400 students across Years 7 to 12, approximately 180 teaching staff, and 70 support staff. Established in 2017, the school has rapidly developed a strong reputation as a high-performing public secondary school committed to inspiring “Excellence Everywhere”.
We attract students from diverse cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and foster a dynamic learning environment built on high expectations, aspiration, and achievement. Harrisdale SHS is recognised for its strong academic culture, high-impact teaching, and commitment to the intellectual, creative, social, and personal development of every student. This focus is strengthened by dedicated pastoral care, strong partnerships with families and the community, and a culture that encourages leadership, innovation, civic responsibility, and the consistent demonstration of our values of Care, Respect, Responsibility, and Excellence
We offer a comprehensive and high-performing ATAR program, alongside high quality General and Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways. Our holistic approach ensures that students are supported to pursue meaningful and successful post-school pathways, while developing the confidence, skills, and aspirations needed to contribute positively to society.
Our specialist and enrichment programs cater to a broad range of student needs and interests. In addition to our Gifted and Talented program and the Harrisdale Extension Academic Program (HEAP), we offer specialist Music, Languages, and Sports programs, including Cricket, Netball, and Volleyball, as well as a wide range of clubs and co-curricular opportunities. These programs help students extend their learning, pursue their passions, and experience success across academic, cultural, sporting, and community contexts.
As a future-focused school, Harrisdale SHS continues to build opportunities that strengthen student agency, innovation, and real-world learning. This includes being selected as part of the Entrepreneurial Schools Project 2026–2027, a national initiative delivered in partnership with Young Change Agents and the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association.
At Harrisdale SHS, we are proud of the strong, positive culture developed since our foundation. Teachers play a central role in shaping our learning community and ensuring our school values are upheld and reflected in all actions.
Find out more about our school by visiting harrisdaleshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.
The Role
Harrisdale SHS is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Learning Area (HoLA) to lead our Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Learning Area. The successful applicant should be a strategic, research-informed, data-driven, and people-focused leader who can inspire staff, strengthen curriculum and pedagogy, and build a culture of excellence across a high-performing and inclusive learning area.
The HoLA - HASS will lead curriculum delivery and improvement across Years 7-12, including lower school HASS and senior school General and ATAR pathways. The role will oversee curriculum development, assessment, and reporting, ensuring alignment with the Western Australian Curriculum, WACE, and SCSA requirements, while contributing to the implementation of the school business plan and whole-school priorities. The successful applicant will ideally have the capacity to teach at Year 12 ATAR level in at least one HASS course.
This role ideally requires a leader who can build staff capability through coaching, mentoring, and collaborative professional learning, while using student performance data to drive planning, targeted intervention, and continuous improvement. The HoLA - HASS should promote high-impact teaching strategies, explicit instruction, and differentiation so that students across the ability range are engaged, challenged, and supported to achieve their personal best.
In addition, the HoLA - HASS should support enrichment and extension within the learning area, fostering opportunities that deepen inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world engagement. This may include the coordination of competitions, excursions, civics and community-based experiences, and other co-curricular opportunities that strengthen student voice, leadership, and achievement.
Key responsibilities may include:
- Leading curriculum development and improvement across Years 7-12.
- Driving the success of lower school HASS and senior school General and ATAR courses.
- Ensuring curriculum, assessment, and reporting practices align with the Western Australian Curriculum, WACE, and SCSA requirements.
- Using student performance data to inform planning, moderation, and targeted improvement strategies.
- Building staff capability through performance development, mentoring, coaching, and classroom observation.
- Supporting explicit, evidence-based teaching and differentiated learning to meet the needs of diverse students.
- Coordinating enrichment, extension, and co-curricular opportunities that enhance student engagement in HASS.
- Managing the HASS Learning Area’s operational plan, budget, and resources.
The successful applicant should display strong leadership skills, the ability to foster a collaborative and supportive team culture, and a commitment to continuous professional learning. With a focus on excellence in teaching and student engagement, the HoLA - HASS will ideally inspire staff and students alike, ensuring the learning area remains innovative, high-performing, and closely aligned to Harrisdale SHS’s vision of “Excellence Everywhere”.
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 Erin Parry, Associate Principal, on (08) 9397 8000 or emailing Erin.Parry@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 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 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 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/SA1041111
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 Monday, 8 June 2026
