Deputy Principal - Primary

Department of Education, Western Australia; Fitzroy Crossing; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% employer contributions to superann

12 weeks’ vacation leave

Subsidised accommodation

Free relocation

Job summary

Department of Education, Western Australia seeks a Deputy Principal – Primary at Merredin College in WA for a 12-month fixed-term, full-time role commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension and/or permanency. The successful applicant leads across the Primary context, upholding ethical, strategic and collaborative leadership with a strong focus on student outcomes.

The Deputy Principal will support safety, engagement and wellbeing, work with the Executive Leadership Team, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with 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.
• Consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and provide the Screening Clearance Number before you start.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvement and manage change across the Primary context within a cohesive K–12 College.
• Balance strategic thinking with strong operational leadership and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership Team to support shared priorities and a consistent K–12 approach.
• Oversee student behaviour, engagement, attendance, Aboriginal education, wellbeing and pastoral care.

Job description

This is a 12 month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027 with possible extension (24 months) and/or permanency

Merredin College serves approximately 500 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 (K-12) in the central Wheatbelt. Our students live in the Merredin township, travel from nearby towns, and reside at Merredin Residential College. The broader community is positively involved and invested in our school.

Our K–12 structure provides a unique opportunity to create continuity of learning, strengthen transitions and develop a strong sense of belonging. Our students aspire to further agricultural education, university, apprenticeship, training and employment. Each year we have students achieving Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) scores above 90, completion of higher-level certificates, school-based traineeships and workplace learning.

We are committed to the provision of quality teaching and learning, growing staff capabilities, improving student engagement and ensuring that every student is provided with the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Merredin College is located 256 kilometres east of Perth. Positioned on the trainline, the Prospector connects all towns between Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder providing convenient travel across the Wheatbelt and Goldfields. There are numerous opportunities for day trips with places such as Wave Rock and Kulin Aquatic Centre and Slide close by. Merredin is located on the Goldfields Heritage Trail providing the avid bushwalker or camper with many opportunities to explore our wonderful country. Those interested in The Arts are also catered for with a cinema, the Arts Society and Cummins Theatre located in Merredin.

In true regional spirit there is a strong sporting culture in Merredin. There are many outdoor sporting facilities such as the Merredin District Olympic Pool and Merredin Regional Community and Leisure Centre. A range of sports are catered for including lawn bowls, tennis, crochet, basketball, netball, cricket and hockey.

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

Find out more about Merredin by visiting this link.

The Role

We are seeking a leader who is ethical, strategic, collaborative and improvement focused. The successful applicant will balance strategic thinking with strong operational leadership across the Primary context while contributing to the continued improvement of a cohesive K–12 College.

The successful applicant will ideally be an authentic and values-driven leader who displays a strong moral purpose and places students at the centre of decision-making.

The Deputy Principal – Primary will have the confidence to lead improvement and manage change while recognising the importance of relationships, consultation and collaboration. They will be able to make informed and sometimes difficult decisions while maintaining trust and demonstrating fairness, consistency and integrity.

Importantly, our school leaders understand that effective leadership is a collective endeavour. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with other members of the Executive Leadership Team, complementing their strengths, contributing to shared priorities and supporting a consistent K–12 approach.

The role includes leadership related to the management of student behaviour, engagement, attendance, Aboriginal education, wellbeing and pastoral care. The Deputy Principal is a key member of the Student Wellbeing team including Deputy Principal – Secondary, school psychologist, chaplain, Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers and Learning Support Coordinator. Collaboration with external agencies for the benefits of students and families is a key part of the role.

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 [e-mail] or on [phone].

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).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Kylie Cattaway, Principal on [phone] or by emailing [e-mail].

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/DP1064202

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 Wednesday, 7 October 2026