We are seeking to establish a pool of Heads of Learning Area - Health and Physical Education (HPE) for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2026 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.
At Karratha Senior High School (SHS) we empower every student to embrace opportunities, build resilience, and contribute positively to society.
Karratha SHS is an independent public school for students from Years 7 to 12. We pride ourselves on delivering quality education to a diverse population of approximately 1270 students who live in Karratha and surrounding towns. Our well-maintained facilities create an inviting and inclusive environment for all students. Our diverse team of educators, range from enthusiastic graduates to Level 3 classroom teachers and Senior teachers. The school has developed a strong local reputation for over 50 years for producing responsible, engaged, compassionate young people who graduate to become contributing members of our society.
Karratha SHS offers excellent programs for students to pursue music, drama, art, sport and outdoor education. Our state-of-the-art Technologies building provides excellent facilities for students to learn valuable skills for careers in trades industries. Our HPE department is located in the Karratha Leisureplex and our students benefit from a co-location arrangement with the City of Karratha.
Our school has 4 priority areas which drive our day-to-day operations:
- Conditions for learning: Maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment to support students’ learning, wellbeing and engagement
- Curriculum and teaching: Support high quality teaching and learning in all classrooms
- Build staff capability: Identify, develop and support our workforce through consistent, high-quality leadership
- Strong community partnerships and relationships: Enhance engagement practices with parents, families, community stakeholders and external agencies
We are committed to teaching and learning excellence in every classroom. Our whole-school instructional model ensures consistent, high-quality teaching that supports all students to achieve success and pursue their aspirations. We aim to create an environment where students are challenged, engaged, and supported with their learning. With a focus on explicit teaching, teachers provide clear, consistent and purposeful lessons across all year levels to reduce variability and ensure every student experiences high quality instruction in every classroom. Formal and informal instructional coaching and support is provided to all teachers.
Underpinning our teaching is a strong focus on trauma informed practice and the use of Positive Behaviour strategies to ensure all students are well supported.
Find out more about our school by visiting karrathashs.wa.edu.au and more about Karratha by viewing the video below.
The Role
Suitable applicants will be responsible for the effective daily management and leadership of the HPE Learning Area. Working collaboratively with the Principal and members of the Executive Team, they will provide educational leadership within the school and wider community by promoting and enacting the school’s vision, and encouraging staff, students, and community members to share ownership of the school’s goals and direction.
They will articulate a clear vision for the HPE team that aligns with whole-school approaches, including the Whole School Instructional Model, Positive Behaviour Support, and trauma-informed practices. Ideal applicants for this pool will have strong understanding of Department of Education excursion policies and procedures and have excellent organisational skills to ensure the coordination of whole school and interschool carnivals.
They will also demonstrate the ability to develop and support others through mentoring, providing clear feedback, and maintaining accountability to improve teaching practice and student outcomes. We highly value applicants with strong interpersonal and communication skills, as the role requires close collaboration with students, staff, and members of the wider school community.
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 a year
- District allowance of $9 449 a year
- Temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $4 000 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
- Travel concession
- Air-conditioning subsidy
Teachers and School Administrators employed at Karratha Senior High School in 2026 are eligible to receive a temporary Attraction and Retention Incentive of $4 000 (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 Debbie English, Deputy Principal, on (08) 9182 6900 or emailing deb.english@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 three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and
- A five (5) 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/SA1004159
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Tuesday, 11 November 2025
