This is a permanent part-time (0.6FTE) position commencing Term 3, 2026
Steeped in history and strongly connected to its local community, Busselton Primary School is committed to providing a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment that supports every student from Kindergarten to Year 6 to thrive. We value strong partnerships with families, community groups and external agencies and believe that high-quality teaching, positive relationships and shared responsibility are central to student success.
As a school, we are building on our strong foundations while working together towards a clear and ambitious future, focused on continuous improvement, wellbeing and high-quality teaching.
Find out more about our school by visiting busseltonps.wa.edu.au or Schools Online
The Role
The Deputy Principal works collaboratively alongside the Principal and leadership team to provide educational leadership across the school community. This role requires a dynamic, forward-thinking and child-centred leader who can build strong relationships, lead with clarity and purpose, and contribute to both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the school.
The successful applicant will ideally be a positive and proactive team player, contributing meaningfully within the executive leadership team and working collaboratively with staff to foster a culture of trust, professionalism and collective responsibility.
We are seeking a leader who brings a balance of strengths across student services and instructional leadership, with the capacity to support whole-school improvement while responding to the diverse and complex needs of students.
A key focus of this role is leading effective case management processes, including Students at Educational Risk (SAER), while also supporting high-quality teaching and learning across the school. The successful applicant will ideally work closely with middle leaders and staff to build capability and embed consistent, evidence-informed practice.
The role includes contributing to school improvement and change through the implementation of priorities, strengthening professional practice, and supporting staff through performance and development processes.
This role would suit a leader who is able to lead with and through others, navigate complexity, and contribute positively to a collaborative and improvement-focused school culture.
The successful applicant will ideally display the ability to:
- Build and sustain positive relationships with staff, students, families and external agencies, contributing to a positive, inclusive and student-centred school culture.
- Lead the management of student services, including strong understanding and experience in case management, SAER processes to support students with diverse and complex needs.
- Lead teaching and learning through strong knowledge of the Western Australian Curriculum and evidence-informed, high-impact instructional practices.
- Develop self and others by building staff capability, supporting professional growth, and contributing to effective performance and development processes.
- Lead improvement and change through the implementation of strategic priorities, using data and evidence to drive decision-making and monitor impact.
- Work collaboratively with and develop middle leaders and professional learning communities to strengthen instructional practice and support consistent whole-school approaches.
The following experience and capabilities will be highly regarded:
- Experience leading a student services team.
- Experience supporting or leading instructional and pedagogical improvement.
- Knowledge of positive behaviour and wellbeing frameworks, including trauma-informed practice and/or the Berry Street Education Model.
- Culturally responsive practice, including experience working with Aboriginal students, families and communities, and familiarity with the Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework
Why Join Us
Busselton Primary School is at a pivotal point in its journey, making this an exciting time to join our leadership team. You will have the opportunity to play an active role in responding to our recent Public School Review recommendations and shaping the development and implementation of our next strategic plan.
As a small community school, we are proud of our dedicated and hardworking staff who are deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of our students and wider community. We foster a friendly, supportive and highly collaborative team environment where relationships matter and everyone is valued.
This is an opportunity to be part of a shared journey of growth and improvement. We are committed to supporting professional development at all levels and are seeking a dynamic, future-focused leader who is eager to contribute in meaningful ways and help shape the next phase of our school’s success.
There may also be scope for the successful applicant to undertake additional days in a teaching or intervention role, subject to operational requirements and the experience of the applicant.
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:
- 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
- 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
- Subsidised accommodation where applicable
- Free 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 Olivia Matthews, Principal on (08) 9751 6400 or emailing Olivia-lee.matthews@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 five (5) 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: IPS/DP1037553
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 Friday, 15 May 2026
