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

A School of Choice: At Duncraig Senior High School (SHS) we have a strong reputation for academic excellence, including flourishing Gifted and Talented and Academic Extension programs. We champion a culture where Care, Engage, & Excel is our shared language that shapes every decision, conversation and improvement initiative. Our leaders drive a strong focus on high-quality teaching and learning, supporting professional growth, reflective practice and innovation. Through our investment in staff expertise and leadership we foster shared practice and a growth mindset across the school. Data-informed decision making, purposeful professional learning and clear operational alignment ensure that we remain strategic, measured and sustainable.

Duncraig SHS leaders prioritise a connected school eco-system, strengthening our partnerships and cultivating cohesion that promotes belonging, resilience and academic success. Together, we have built and support a learning community that prepares students to thrive as confident, capable and compassionate contributors in a rapidly changing world.

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

The Role

As the Head of Learning Area - Languages (HOLA - Languages) you would provide direction and purpose to staff, build team capacity and cohesion and promote an environment of positive quality learning experiences for all students. You should undertake an active role in the ongoing development and implementation of a positive and caring learning environment across the school.  You will ideally possess effective teaching, learning, assessment and behaviour management practices and a strong understanding of the curriculum.

You will ideally be able to lead quality teaching, learning and assessment programs and in addition should develop and deliver the Western Australian Curriculum and Senior Secondary WACE Courses. The successful applicant will ideally reflect and assess the effectiveness of teaching practice, promote an environment of active and positive learning, and provide educational opportunities and activities which enable students to achieve their highest potential.

As a school with growing numbers, Duncraig SHS runs a dynamic, expanding and well-regarded Languages program, delivering French and Indonesian. Classes are comprised of General, Gifted and Talented and School Based Academic Extension students who can complete an Accelerated French program, through their lower school years. Students can also opt for the popular Certificate in Tourism in Senior School, which is also delivered by the Languages Department. It would be desirable for the selected candidate to hold or be willing to work towards a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

As a member of the school’s Leadership Team, you may be expected to support the provision of quality pastoral care within your Department. Experience with Gifted and Talented students and a displayed ability to effectively differentiate for both academic extension and Students at Educational Risk (SAER) students will be highly valued. The ability to teach either French or Indonesian Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) levels will be seen as advantageous.

Using your outstanding interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, you should be able to lead and develop your team using a variety of teacher development and coaching methods. You will ideally be improvement focused and committed to your own ongoing professional development.  Duncraig SHS maintains a significant focus on the quality of the teaching and learning that takes place, with a particular emphasis on maximising student engagement and student learning outcomes. You should have a genuine interest in working in collaboration with colleagues to lead improvements in pedagogy, curriculum and student achievement across Years 7 to 12. Strong knowledge and skills in the effective integration of innovative and engaging ICT based technologies in the classroom is important as Duncraig SHS operates a 1:1 personal ICT device policy that is firmly embedded across all learning areas. A familiarity with Compass would be well regarded as this is the online learning management system used at Duncraig SHS.

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 Wade Norman, Associate Principal, on (08) 6241 5400 or by emailing wade.norman@education.wa.edu.au.

During the school holidays, please contact Wade Norman, Associate Principal, on 0401 679 383

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 of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
• A three (3) 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/SA1065366

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, 26 October 2026.