This is a 6 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026 with possible extension (12 months) and/or permanency
Mount Barker Community College is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Associate Principal to join our executive team and support excellence in teaching, learning and student achievement.
We are an Independent Kindergarten to Year 12 Public School with a strong tradition of community connection and student success. We offer a range of senior school pathways including Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), General and Vocational Education and Training (VET), supported by our Registered Training Organisation status, with programs in Engineering, Agriculture and Rural Operations. Our facilities include a Trade Training Centre and a 364-hectare farm with livestock, vineyards and horticulture.
Located in Western Australia’s Great Southern, Mount Barker offers an exceptional lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty, with easy access to national parks and the coastal attractions including Albany and Denmark.
Find out more about our school by visiting mountbarkercommunitycollege.wa.edu.au or Schools Online
The Role
This leadership role provides the opportunity to build upon a positive school culture and contribute to the development and delivery of a clear, future-focused College vision. You will play a key role in business plan creation, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into meaningful action across the school. Working closely with staff, you will lead and support middle leaders to strengthen teaching and learning, fostering collaboration, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence. With a strong focus on innovation and meaningful change, you will champion new approaches that support continuous improvement and embed a growth mindset across the school community.
You will ideally lead Teaching for Impact through the effective implementation of the Quality Teaching Strategy to ensure high-impact instructional practices are evident in every classroom. Through data-informed decision making and a commitment to continuous improvement, you will ideally build staff capability, enhance student engagement, and ensure all learners are supported to achieve their best academically, socially and emotionally.
The Associate Principal will ideally also play a key role in leading and supporting students in years 10 – 12, ensuring they are well-prepared for successful completion of their senior schooling and beyond. This includes overseeing the effective use of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) tracker to monitor student progress, achievement, and pathway attainment, and implementing targeted interventions where required. The role also involves coordinating transition processes into senior school and from school to further education, training, or employment, ensuring every student has a clear and supported pathway.
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 Janine Keall, Principal on (08) 9851 5800 or emailing Janine.Keall@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
- 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/DP1041267
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, 18 May 2026
