We are seeking to establish a pool of Deputy Principals for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2026 school year and up to the end of Term 1, 2027. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.
About The School
Escape the ordinary: Join the team at Tom Price Senior High School
- Where Students Shine and Careers Thrive
Imagine waking up to a breathtaking Pilbara sunrise, just a short walk from work – it’s just the beginning! You can spend your evenings exploring local water holes, and weekends camping, or discovering the ancient gorges of Karijini National Park. Tom Price offers a lifestyle where adventure and connection await. You'll join a vibrant, multicultural community with deep roots in the ancient Aboriginal heritage of the Eastern Guruma, Banjima and Yinhawangka peoples. Beyond your career, you can immerse yourself in a thriving sporting and local arts and culture scene, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a down-to-earth atmosphere.
At Tom Price Senior High School (SHS), we're dedicated to empowering our students to achieve their full potential in our supportive and welcoming learning environment. Our vision is to inspire a passion for learning in every student and foster a community where diversity is celebrated, and personal bests are achieved. We live by our core values of Respect, Inclusivity, Personal Best and Responsibility which guide everything we do. We offer a wide range of educational programs, including both Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) options.
Our VET program thrives with the support of local businesses and industry, providing students with invaluable real-world learning experiences and nationally accredited vocational qualifications. Our commitment to integrated STEAM education through project-based learning in partnership with the CoRE Academy (Centre of Resource Excellence Program), connects curriculum to industry, setting students on a pathway to success.
We’re proud to partner with the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation and the Follow the Dream program to support our Indigenous students in achieving outstanding success. Our Emergency Services Cadet Corps, with over 100 cadets, offers hands-on training in first aid and fire safety, providing leadership and other lifelong skills by State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and other emergency service personnel.
Come join us and bring your unique skills and passion to a community where you can truly make a difference, inspiring the next generation in the heart of the Pilbara.
Find out more about our school by visiting www.tompriceshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online, or view the video below.
Location and Community
Set 747 metres above sea level, Tom Price is the highest town in WA, offering a refreshing climate, striking landscapes and a high quality of life. Located near the iconic Karijini and Millstream Chichester National Parks, it provides access to some of Australia’s most breathtaking natural attractions. Tom Price combines this natural beauty with the convenience of a modern, fully serviced town. A major supermarket, medical centre and hospital, schools, TAFE, cafés and essential services support an easy, low-stress lifestyle.
A defining feature of Tom Price is its strong, welcoming community. There is a genuine sense of connection, complemented by excellent recreational facilities including an Olympic-sized pool, multiple ovals, tennis, netball and basketball courts, squash courts, a bowls club and a golf course. A drive-in theatre and well-maintained parks offer relaxed social spaces for weekends. Opportunities to contribute beyond work are abundant, with active organisations such as SES and St John Ambulance helping newcomers quickly feel part of the community.
Leading at our school places you at the centre of this supportive environment, where you can make a meaningful impact. Tom Price offers a rare combination of professional opportunity, community connection and outdoor lifestyle.
For more information about Tom Price visit the Shire of Ashburton.
The Role
We are seeking to establish a pool of highly capable and dynamic Deputy Principals for our school. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced and emerging leaders who are adaptable, strategic, and committed to delivering excellence and help shape the future direction of a connected and ambitious regional school.
Importantly, this role is intentionally flexible — portfolios and responsibilities will be aligned to your strengths, expertise and leadership aspirations, while also supporting identified areas for growth and the evolving priorities of the school.
Successful applicants will ideally display the capacity to:
- Lead whole-school improvement with precision and impact, including a proven ability to implement the Department of Education’s Quality Teaching Strategy through deep expertise in Teaching for Impact, embedding consistent, evidence-based practices that measurably improve student outcomes.
- Build, develop and inspire leadership at all levels, fostering collective efficacy, coaching emerging leaders, and creating a high-performance culture focused on growth, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Engage directly with Aboriginal students and communities; operating from a highly culturally responsive mindset; and showing a genuine passion for on-Country learning and the preservation of local Aboriginal culture through the promotion of language, connection to land, and cultural identity.
- Drive operational excellence in a complex and fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong capability in managing systems, workforce processes and resources with efficiency, accuracy and strategic foresight.
- Lead a cohesive, whole-school approach to student behaviour and academic growth, grounded in restorative and educative practices. Build teacher capability through leading the facilitation of reflective practices and Growth Coaching, strengthening expertise in behaviour management, differentiation and high-impact instructional pedagogy (including CMS and ISE) to maximise engagement and achievement.
- Exceptional emotional intelligence, adaptability and relational leadership, building strong, authentic connections with staff, students and the community, and responding effectively to changing needs and priorities.
- Lead innovation in ICT systems and curriculum, with the capacity to guide implementation of key initiatives such as Kaartdijin, and leverage platforms such as Compass to enhance teaching, learning and whole-school operations.
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 $10 210 per year
- District allowance of $9 299 a year
- Temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $7 000 see info below.
- 12 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
- Additional travel concessions
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 Tom Price Senior High School 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 Steph McDonald, Principal on (08) 9143 8100, or emailing stephanie.mcdonald@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/DP1046041
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Thursday, 18 June 2026
