This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027

Ngaanyatjarra Lands School (NLS) is seeking an outstanding Executive Deputy Principal to join its executive leadership team based at the Warakurna School Administration Office. 

This is a unique and rewarding leadership opportunity within one of Australia's most distinctive remote schools. The role is varied, challenging and highly influential, offering the opportunity to make a significant contribution to educational outcomes for Aboriginal students across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Experience living and working in a remote community, together with a record of success in a remote education context, will be highly regarded. 

As a member of the executive leadership team, you will provide strategic educational and organisational leadership by helping to develop, promote and enact the values, vision and priorities of NLS. You will foster a culture of shared ownership and collaboration, working closely with staff, community members, service providers and other stakeholders to strengthen educational opportunities for students. Through effective change management and leadership practices, you will support school improvement initiatives and contribute to the ongoing development of high-quality services across the school. 

Working collaboratively with the Executive Principal, Campus Principals and the broader leadership team, you will support workforce effectiveness by leading, motivating and building the capability of staff to improve teaching, learning and student outcomes. A strong understanding of the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework is highly desirable, as it underpins whole-school planning, reflection and continuous improvement across NLS. 

The successful applicant will ideally have experience in curriculum leadership and instructional improvement, particularly in supporting Aboriginal students who are learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D). An understanding of culturally responsive pedagogy, effective Aboriginal education practices, trauma-informed approaches and student wellbeing frameworks will be highly regarded. 

NLS delivers a Two-Way Explicit Teaching Model that combines evidence-informed instructional practices with Yarnangu perspectives, knowledge and ways of learning. The successful applicant will play a key role in strengthening this approach by supporting leaders and teachers to design and deliver high-quality, culturally responsive learning experiences that are tailored to students' academic, personal and cultural needs. 

You will ideally possess a strong understanding of the unique educational, cultural and community context of NLS, together with an ability to lead initiatives that improve student engagement, attendance, achievement and wellbeing. Experience leading whole-school assessment, data analysis and school improvement processes, along with a sound knowledge of literacy and numeracy improvement frameworks, will be highly regarded. 

As Executive Deputy Principal, you will provide strategic leadership in curriculum development, instructional coaching, professional learning and school improvement. Working closely with the Executive Principal, campus leaders and senior Aboriginal cultural advisors, you will support the implementation of high-quality planning, teaching and assessment practices aligned with the school's vision, values and agreed pedagogical approaches. 

The successful applicant should have expertise in differentiated learning, integrated curriculum design, instructional leadership and evidence-informed practice. You will have the capacity to coach, mentor and develop staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collective responsibility for student success. 

We are looking for an exceptional communicator and relationship builder who is committed to achieving equitable and successful outcomes for all students. Ideally, you will be a resilient, culturally responsive and innovative leader capable of navigating complex educational environments while building strong partnerships with staff, families and communities. 

Experience working respectfully and collaboratively with Aboriginal students, families and communities would be ideal. Experience in strengthening student engagement and attendance, supporting wellbeing, and re-engaging learners who have become disconnected from schooling will be highly regarded. 

The Executive Deputy Principal plays a pivotal role in strengthening teaching practice, driving school improvement and ensuring consistent, high-quality approaches to curriculum, assessment and student engagement across all NLS campuses. The successful applicant will ideally have the ability to build strong professional relationships, work collaboratively across multiple locations and provide inspirational leadership within a complex and unique remote school context. 

NLS is a unique multi-campus school serving seven communities across the Western Australian Central Desert: Blackstone (Papulankutja), Jameson (Mantamaru), Kiwirrkurra, Wanarn, Warakurna, Warburton and Wingellina (Irrunytju). Operating within the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, NLS works in partnership with Yarnangu communities to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive education grounded in the strengths of local language, culture and knowledge. 

Comprising seven geographically dispersed campuses, NLS provides education from Early Childhood through to Secondary schooling. Based in Warakurna, the Executive Deputy Principal works across all campuses to provide instructional leadership, coaching, professional learning and strategic support to school leaders and teachers. 

Due to the remote nature of the role, regular travel across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands is needed and may involve driving on unsealed roads and travelling on charter flights. Flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to work across diverse educational settings are highly regarded. 

The Executive Deputy Principal plays a pivotal role in strengthening teaching practice, driving school improvement and ensuring consistent, evidence-informed approaches to curriculum, assessment and student engagement across the school. The successful applicant should have an outstanding relationship-building skills, a collaborative mindset and the ability to lead improvement within a complex and highly rewarding remote education context. 

If you are a passionate and experienced educational leader committed to excellence, equity and culturally responsive education, we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping a future where culture, community and high expectations come together to create meaningful opportunities and success for every student across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. 

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 Remote Teaching Service Allowance of $20 870 per year
• District allowance of $2 734 per year
• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• 10 weeks Remote Teaching Service leave upon completion of six semesters of continuous service, or 22 weeks after eight semesters
• Subsidised leave travel during major vacations
• Free GROH housing
• Airconditioning Subsidy
• Free furniture relocation (same support offered after completion of the contract)
• Long term furniture storage while in GROH accommodation
• Vehicle relocation

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 Jason Van Poelgeest, Executive Principal on 08 8954 9502 or emailing jason.vanpoelgeest@education.wa.edu.au.

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at schoolsrecruitment@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period. 

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 outlining your employment history, qualifications, relevant professional development and training. Applicants are requested to provide the details of 2 superordinate referees, one referee must be a current line-manager. If you are unable to provide the details of your current line manager, you must contact the Panel Chair upon submission of your application to discuss alternative superordinate referees; and
• A 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: SS/DP1071710

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, 23 November 2026