Principal

ArtSupport; Pannawonica; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing for Department employees in P7

Housing in Pannawonica subsidised

Free access to town facilities (gym, 2

Relocation costs covered and regional/

Job summary

Pannawonica School in Western Australia invites applications for a permanent, full-time Principal commencing Term 1, 2027. You will lead with a strong moral purpose, enable every student to learn and reach their potential, and build relationships across the school and with external partners.

As the leader, you will allocate resources, drive teaching quality, and ensure equity and wellbeing. The role offers housing options with the Rio Tinto community, and regional incentives for relocation.

Job description

Advertised Vacancy Number: PR1066183

This is a permanent, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027

This position is being advertised as part of a new recruitment process for principal positions. The requirements at application stage include a mandatory CV template, and a recorded response via the Vieple video platform. Please refer to the attached Applicant Instruction Guide for further information and guidance about the process.

About the Role

As the principal, you will lead with a strong moral purpose and a commitment to enabling every student to learn successfully and reach their full potential. You will foster an environment where each learner’s talents are recognised, nurtured, and developed, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values needed for lifelong success. You demonstrate an understanding of the power of education to overcome disadvantage and are committed to supporting the growth and wellbeing of every student.

You will build and sustain strong, purposeful relationships across the school community and with external stakeholders, recognising that achieving the school’s mission requires collective effort. Your leadership will promote a cohesive and inclusive school culture focused on meeting the diverse learning needs of all students and enabling them to thrive.

A key aspect of this role involves strategically allocating and developing resources - including time, staff expertise, funding, facilities, policies, and partnerships - to maximise student outcomes and strengthen teaching and learning across the school.

You will drive continuous improvement by prioritising high-quality classroom teaching and building teacher capacity for sustained improvement. Your decisions will be evidence based and informed by quality data to identify needs, set clear goals, monitor progress, and evaluate impact. You will refine school practices and lead significant change where required across programs, curriculum, processes, facilities, or culture to enhance student learning and wellbeing.

To be successful in this role you will be open minded, flexible, and guided by strong personal and professional values. You will demonstrate resilience, optimism, and high expectations for yourself, your staff, and your students. The school’s success will be shaped by your personal qualities, values, beliefs, attitudes, and skills which will underpin all strategic actions and contribute to a positive, future focused school environment.

About Pannawonica School

As a small regional K-12 school, we deliver an inclusive, diverse and exciting range of programs that deliver the best possible education for children in Pannawonica. Our staff have formed a tight collegiate group which collaborates well and responds effectively to the needs of the children and community.

Pannawonica School operates within a unique Rio Tinto mining community. The principal works closely with Rio Tinto and local service providers. The role involves building strong stakeholder relationships, advocating for the school and navigating shared responsibilities relating to facilities, housing, services and community initiatives. This provides the principal with a distinctive opportunity to influence outcomes beyond the school and create valuable industry connections, partnerships and pathways for students.

Benefits

• Housing for Department employees in Pannawonica is available through Rio Tinto in collaboration with Sodexo Property Management.
• Housing in Pannawonica significantly subsidised and also covers the cost of utilities and regular ground maintenance.
• As a resident of Pannawonica, you can also enjoy free access to the town facilities, including the gym and pool.
• In addition to this, the successful applicant will benefit from, relocation costs covered, travel concessions, and significant regional incentives, including a $10,210 Country Teaching Program Allowance and $9,299 District Allowance.

Please refer to the attached Business Plan, and Annual Report which provide further information to assist you to better understand the school and its current needs.

Find out more about Pannawonica School by visiting PannawonicaPS.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

For Further Job Related Information

For more information on the role and responsibilities, please contact Ashley King, Director of Education on 9185 0111 or [e-mail].

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 for more details.

Selection Criteria

You will be assessed against the 6 Domains of Professional Practice and 6 Personal Attributes of Effective School Leaders.

The 6 Domains of Professional Practice were developed in partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). They clearly encapsulate the key practices of highly effective principals. The Domains align with, and further build upon, the Australian Professional Standard for Principals and the School Improvement and Accountability Framework.

Research commissioned by the Department identified 6 Personal Attributes which are critical for an effective school leader.

The 6 Domains and 6 Personal Attributes form the basis of assessment in the principal recruitment process. They are detailed in the Applicant Instruction Guide attached at the top of this advertisement.

Subsequent Appointments

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 Monday, 26 October 2026.