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 2027 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.

The Role

Suitable applicants will provide educational leadership in the school and the community by promoting the school vision, values and priorities, and fostering sustainable partnerships with parents, carers and community stakeholders. Suitable applicants will ideally use effective change management strategies to assist the school community to develop opportunities for improved service. Suitable applicants will ideally work collaboratively as part of the school’s Executive and Senior Leadership Teams to provide educational leadership, innovation and strategic planning to build, develop and maintain a positive school culture. The position of Deputy Principal at Northam Senior High School (SHS) works collaboratively within negotiated areas of responsibility based on their strengths and skillset but is expected to encompass a range of lower school and student services requirements including whole-child planning, student case management, wellbeing and social emotional learning leadership. Suitable applicants should possess appropriate knowledge and transferable skills that would allow them to lead portfolios as needed.

This role will ideally be well suited to an exemplary and high performing secondary leader who has a strong track record in managing change in developing a culture of reflection, collaboration and innovation. Suitable applicants will ideally display a sound understanding of the multi-tiered systems of support that includes knowledge of effective intervention strategies across the academic, engagement and wellbeing domains. They will be able to apply this knowledge to support whole-child teaching, learning and well-being within the school community.

Suitable applicants will ideally establish a high expectation and high care culture through a deep understanding of how to coach beginning and experienced leaders and build their confidence to explore and excel in cultivating their practices in leading proactive and supportive Learning Communities that ensure successful learning achievement outcomes for a community of students teachers and families. They will play a significant role in the daily management of staff and student wellbeing and may have responsibility for management, or shared management, of administrative and operational systems such as timetabling, assessment schedules/platforms, positive behaviour processes, census procedures or learning support provisions such as Special Educational Needs (SEN) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) pathways.

The School

Northam SHS on the bank of the Avon River and has a proud and rich history of providing a comprehensive curriculum to students in Years 7 to 12 from the Northam and surrounding Wheatbelt districts students. With over 650 students, we are the largest school in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

In our vision of ‘A Community United’, we work in partnership with students, staff, parents/carers and the community to establish positive and productive relationships.

Northam SHS is focused on embedding trauma-informed and restorative practices, where our systems are designed to prioritise student belonging, voice and mastery in a strengths-based model. The school has also commenced an Instructional Model and Classroom Framework so a deep understanding of excellent and engaging teaching strategies along with the ability to work through a coaching model to make this part of your practice is also desirable.

Northam SHS is a culturally responsive school, and we value our strong relationship with the local Noongar Aboriginal community from the Ballardong nation, in particular the Elders, and through our programs such as the Clontarf Academy, Waalitj Deadly Sister Girlz and Polly Farmer Follow the Dream Partnerships for Success.

Find out more about our school by visiting www.northamshs.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The community

Located in the heart of the picturesque Avon Valley, Northam is home to a diverse range of tourist and heritage attractions, including hot air ballooning, cultural experiences, wildflowers, tours & trails, historic buildings, horse racing, and much, much more. The Avon River flows through the town and has an abundance of bird life, including the unique white swan. Spanning the river next to the Visitor Centre and Bila Koort Boodya is the pedestrian suspension bridge, which is the longest of its kind in Australia.

For more information about Northam, visit www.northam.wa.gov.au.

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 $8 020 per year
• Temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $1 500 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

Teachers and school administrators employed at Northam Senior 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 Jodee Vause, Principal on (08) 9621 6300 or emailing jodee.vause@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

1. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
2. High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
3. 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).
4. 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/DP1071436

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 13 November 2026