Associate Principal

Department of Education, Western Australia; Shire Of Esperance; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

District allowance

Superannuation contributions

Vacation leave

Accommodation

Relocation

Travel concessions

Job summary

Esperance Senior High School, part of the Department of Education, Western Australia, is seeking an experienced educational leader for the role of Associate Principal – Quality Teaching. This 0.5 FTE leadership position focuses on guiding the school’s Quality Teaching Strategy, professional learning, and strategic initiatives to improve student outcomes.

The successful applicant will work with the principal and executive team to mentor staff, promote instructional coaching, and develop a culture

Qualifications

• Must be registered with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.
• Must hold a valid Working With Children Check.
• Experience leading school improvement and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Teaching Strategy and align professional learning with the school’s strategic priorities.
• Identify and implement professional learning tied to the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan.
• Coach teachers to strengthen pedagogy and student outcomes, including beginners and experienced staff.
• Represent the Principal and engage with staff, families, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Instructional coaching

Education

Teacher Registration WA

Job description

This is a 36 month fixed term, part-time position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible permanency

Esperance Senior High School (SHS) is a proud, independent public school providing a comprehensive secondary education for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The school has a strong reputation for teaching and learning excellence, meeting the diverse learning needs of students through high-quality teaching, effective pastoral approaches and a strong commitment to student success.

Student achievement and endeavour are at the heart of Esperance SHS. Students consistently achieve highly across a broad range of learning pathways, including Year 7–10 courses, Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), General, and Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. The school is committed to ensuring every student is supported to identify their strengths, challenge themselves and achieve their best.

Esperance SHS is underpinned by a strong student‑centred culture, where positive relationships, high expectations and a commitment to continuous improvement provide the foundations for successful learning. The school values the contribution of staff, students, families and the broader community, working collaboratively to create an environment where all students are encouraged to thrive.

Located on the south‑east coast of Western Australia, Esperance is renowned for its stunning natural environment and has won numerous awards recognising its beaches, coastline and unique landscapes. As one of Western Australia’s best kept tourist secrets, Esperance offers an exceptional lifestyle within a vibrant and supportive regional community.

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

Find out more about living and working in Esperance by viewing the video below.

The Location and Community

Esperance lies on the South‑East of Western Australia, some 730 kilometres from Perth. The town has won awards for its stunning natural environment and is one of Western Australia’s best kept tourist secrets. Discover more in the video below.

The Role

This is a 0.5 FTE Associate Principal and 0.5 FTE teaching position, with the teaching component aligned to the successful applicant’s expertise and the school’s operational needs.

Esperance SHS is seeking a strategic and innovative educational leader to join its leadership team as Associate Principal – Quality Teaching. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, high‑performing school leader to lead the school’s Quality Teaching Strategy and associated professional learning, and the school’s strategic initiatives. The successful applicant will ideally display expert knowledge of current pedagogical research, including the Department’s Quality Teaching Strategy, and an understanding of how effective leadership can transform teaching practice and improve student outcomes.

The Associate Principal will lead the identification and implementation of professional learning aligned with the school’s Strategic Plan 2026–2028. They will motivate and support staff to strengthen their pedagogical practice, engage with current educational research and technologies, and respond effectively to diverse student learning needs. A key focus will be developing a culture of teacher self‑reflection and continuous improvement through effective instructional coaching, supporting both beginning and experienced teachers to develop their confidence, capability and practice.

As an integral member of the executive team, the Associate Principal will work closely with the Principal to progress the school’s strategic priorities, applying strong strategic thinking, evaluation and change‑management skills to support continuous improvement. The successful applicant will contribute to workforce effectiveness by leading, motivating and developing staff, while fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and shared responsibility. They will also have the opportunity to be a prominent representative of the Principal, establishing effective and respectful relationships with staff, students, the School Board, families, community and external stakeholders.

The successful applicant will ideally display outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, adapting their leadership approach to work effectively with students, families and staff. The ideal applicant would model and promote the school’s vision, mission and values, and bring the expertise and commitment to strengthen staff capability and drive excellence in teaching and learning.

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:

• District allowance of $2 399 a year
• 12 percent employer contributions to superannuation
• 12 weeks’ vacation leave (school holidays)
• Subsidised accommodation where applicable
• Free relocation
• Travel Concessions

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 [e-mail] or on [phone].

Agency Referrals

Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at [e-mail] during the advertising period.

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).

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 23 October 2026