This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 1, 2025

John Curtin College of the Arts is a leader in public education. Our commitment is to not only build capacity in students’ academic pursuits but to make each child the very best person they can be by celebrating achievements in all facets of education, using creativity to promote excellence and nurture wellbeing.

Our college is located on Wadjuk Boodjar in Walyalup (Fremantle) and caters for 1750 students from Years 7 to 12 who come to us through the seven Gifted and Talented programs run by the college for children identified as gifted in the creative domain, including; Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Music Theatre and Visual Arts, as well as through a small local catchment or participation in our Soccer Excellence Program, making the college a unique learning environment. For our enrolled students the college also goes through an additional identification process for learners gifted in the intellectual domain, and runs a dedicated program for these students in English, Humanities, Maths and Science.

Engagement in creativity and the Arts is as a vehicle for student engagement and motivation at the college. The Arts at John Curtin is as much about providing dynamic opportunities for all students (each year we produce over 100 performances/exhibitions) as it is about developing transferable life skills such as empathy, creative and critical thinking, collaboration and the ability to communicate, all important attributes for any future pathway. Staff at the college enjoy the opportunity to attend performances throughout the year.

John Curtin is proud to be a Quality Teaching Strategy Lead School and works to implement evidence-based best practice teaching in line with Teaching for Impact. This provides opportunities for our staff to engage in professional development as well as providing opportunities to work with staff from other Department of Education schools to support quality teaching more broadly across the state.

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

The Role

John Curtin is seeking to appoint a motivated and innovative Head of Learning (HOLA) who displays leadership characteristics, compassion, and the ability to lead a large team of teachers and allied professionals.

The ideal applicant will possess exceptional interpersonal skills, with a capacity to build effective relationships at both department level and as a member of the College Leadership Team, where you will work collaboratively to lead school-wide promotion of our values, priorities and directions.

As Head of learning Area, you should possess an excellent understanding of the Western Australian Curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements for Years 7 to 12. The ideal applicant will possess experience in curriculum planning for Years 7 to 12 and teaching experience to Year 12 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) level in one or more of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics.

As an expert practitioner in a Quality Teaching Strategy Lead School, you should have a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning and engage in ongoing self-reflection. As an exemplary practitioner you will authentically lead a team of accomplished educators in the ongoing development of themselves as teachers and curriculum within the learning area.

The Head of Learning area will use a data driven approach as well as interpersonal acumen to lead the development of the Science Department to best meet the needs of our unique students and support the directions of the College.

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?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Fiona Tholet, Deputy Principal, by telephoning (08) 9435 0700 or emailing Fiona.Tholet@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.

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 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 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.

For tips on writing your best teaching job application and more information about working for the Department of Education, go to the Department’s Careers Page or see our applicant resource attached.

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/SA918290

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.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Wednesday, 18 September 2024