Deputy Principal - Primary
This is a 12-month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension (12 months) and/or permanency
Derby District High School (DHS) is located in Derby which is situated at the southern end of King Sound in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Derby is 220km east of Broome by road and is 2463km north of Perth. It was the first town settled in the Kimberley. Derby is well supported with a range of government infrastructures. Its location near the King Sound and a number of rivers provides for many boating and fishing recreational activities - but not swimming!
Derby DHS is located in attractive and well-maintained grounds and surroundings. With an enrolment of over 600 students, it provides an education program for students from KindiLink to Year 12. Students attend the school from the town of Derby and outlying areas including the Aboriginal Communities of Mowanjum and 12 have access to a range of programs leading to secondary graduation. VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs are offered in the school and in partnership with the local TAFE campus. The school has a very successful trade entry program and students are keen to trial employment and supported to connect with local trades. Subjects leading to university entrance are either delivered by school staff through a Uni-Prep course or through the School of Isolated and Distance Education.
Find out more about our school by visiting www.derbydhs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.
The Role
The Deputy Principal works collaboratively alongside the Principal, Associate Principal and other Deputy Principals to provide strong instructional, operational and strategic leadership, with a focus on primary education. The successful applicant will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, building positive relationships with staff, students, families and the wider school community.
As a member of the school leadership team, the Deputy Principal contributes to whole-school priorities, strategic direction and continuous improvement. They will demonstrate the ability to lead and line manage staff, build effective teams and foster a collaborative culture focused on student achievement, professional growth and evidence-based practice.
A key responsibility is to lead and facilitate primary cluster meetings, focusing on curriculum delivery, student progress, assessment, data analysis and collaborative planning. Working alongside other Deputy Principals, they will build staff capacity through professional learning, mentoring and consistent, high-quality teaching practices.
The successful applicant will demonstrate strong knowledge of the Western Australian Curriculum, EYLF and NQIS, how children learn and evidence-based teaching practices. They will lead professional learning communities, support data-informed teaching and drive year-on-year student progress.
The Deputy Principal will support the implementation and embedding of the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) across the primary school. Working collaboratively with the BSEM working group, they will build staff capacity in trauma-informed, strengths-based practices that promote student wellbeing, engagement and positive learning environments.
The role requires strong organisational and operational leadership, working with other Deputy Principals to coordinate systems, structures, daily staffing, resources and organisational needs across the primary school, ensuring consistent processes and effective implementation of whole-school priorities.
The successful applicant will demonstrate an understanding of inclusive education and the diverse learning, behavioural and wellbeing needs of students, including those requiring additional support or academic extension. Knowledge of student services processes, intervention planning and resource allocation will be an advantage.
Above all, the Deputy Principal will be a collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused leader committed to strengthening staff capability, improving student outcomes and contributing to a positive whole-school culture.
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 per year
- District allowance of $7 436 a year
- Temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $1500 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
- Travel Concessions
Teachers and School Administrators employed at Derby District High School in 2027 are eligible to receive a temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $1 500 (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 Eliot Money on (08) 9193 3000 or emailing eliot.money@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 four (4) 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/DP1070506
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, 16 November 2026