Head of Learning Area - Humanities and Social Sciences
Branch: Comet Bay College
Division: Independent Public School - South Metropolitan Education Region
Salary: Level 3, $125,850 - $137,715 per annum (pro-rata) (SEA GA 2021)
Work Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
FTE: 1.0
Location: Secret Harbour
Closing Date: 2024-09-10 4:30 PM
Attachments: - applicant resource - how to write a cv and covering letter nov18.pdf
- endorsed jdf - generic - head of department head of learning area - schools - admin 3 - dec 2021.pdf
- information - applying for advertised positions in schools jan24.pdf.pdf

This is a nine (9) month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 4, 2024 with possible extension (9 months) and/or permanency.

The College invests heavily in the social and emotional intelligence of our students and our staff and are fully committed to developing resilient young people with a healthy sense of self-worth who value education and have the confidence to seek excellence in all aspects of their lives.

Comet Bay College is a modern, innovative Independent Public School that caters for Years 7 to 12 students and is located one kilometre from the coast in the vibrant community of Secret Harbour. The College boasts state of the art facilities that include specialist science laboratories, a lecture theatre, fitness centre, metal fabrication centre, a modern industrial food studio and graphics/mechatronics studio.

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

The Role

Are you seeking a challenging, exciting and professionally stimulating role focused on quality teaching and learning?

Comet Bay College is seeking to appoint a dedicated and knowledgeable leader as Head of our Humanities and Social Sciences Department (Dean) to lead our hard-working Humanities and Social Sciences teachers and inspire our students in Humanities and Social Sciences. At Comet Bay College we strive for excellence by nurturing individual abilities, providing meaningful opportunities and fostering positive respectful relationships.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, outstanding leader and excellent classroom practitioner, who has the commitment, passion and ‘can do’ attitude to assist staff to develop highly effective teaching and learning practices. As the successful applicant, you will ideally be highly energetic, motivated and possess the qualities needed to draw people together, identify opportunities and establish new initiatives. You should exhibit effective communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop and maintain positive partnerships and to collaborate effectively with others; being prepared to work side-by-side with school leaders and teachers, to develop a culture of professional discourse and sharing about effective teaching and learning practices.

The successful applicant should possess the ability to provide direction and purpose to staff, build team capacity and cohesion and promote an environment of positive quality learning experiences for all students. The role will provide high level leadership support of the development, implementation and evaluation of the College’s Teaching and Learning focus in the area of Humanities and Social Sciences, as articulated in the College Business Plan, available here.

Key focus areas of the role of Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences may include, but are not limited to:

  • Curriculum: system and school data analysis to inform planning, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) curriculum response, curriculum differentiation, quality assurance of existing curriculum offerings, Gifted and Talented (GAT) curriculum support, moderation processes and alignment of key professional learning. Ongoing reflection and improvement of the College’s Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) offerings, with a particular focus on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), in Humanities and Social Sciences ensuring effective moderation practices, compliance with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) requirements and tracking College Business Plan achievement targets;
  • Instruction: assessment and feedback models, classroom observation and feedback, explicit teaching in Humanities and Social Sciences, involvement in and support for the College instructional intelligence program;
  • Support: student academic profiling, implementation of General Capabilities, student engagement, higher order thinking culture, networking and liaising with external support eg SCSA as appropriate, Performance and Development of the Humanities and Social Sciences team; and
  • Innovation: indirect involvement as required in the whole of College Science, Technology, Engineering and Humanities and Social Sciences (STEM) approach, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the classroom and strategic planning.
  • Our students are currently achieving at a level in line with like schools and we aspire to increase achievement for all year levels. We are looking for a committed teacher who knows they can make a difference and will add value to our College.

The staff facilities are excellent; each Learning Area is fully equipped and spacious. The Humanities and Social Sciences Department invests heavily in our staff and as a valued staff member at Comet Bay College, you can expect to be offered ongoing high quality, targeted professional learning opportunities aimed at supporting your professional growth as a high quality teaching professional.

We encourage and support staff to be innovative and engaging in their curriculum delivery, providing digital TVs and or digital projector in every room and supported with class sets of iPads and laptops. The College is fully networked and has the latest wireless operating system enabling staff and students to be “connected” at all times. Comet Bay College is a Gifted and Talented school and also has extension pathways in English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Humanities and Social Sciences for Years 7 to 10.

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 Joanna Harmer, Associate Principal, on telephoning (08) 9553 8100 or emailing joanna.harmer@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 National Criminal History Check with the Department's Screening Unit.

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 four (4) 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
  1. Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
  2. High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
  3. 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).
  4. 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/SA918292

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 Tuesday, 10 September 2024