Principal

Department of Education; Pannawonica; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing in Pannawonica

Utilities included

Free town facilities

Relocation costs covered

Travel concessions

Country Teaching Program Allowance

District Allowance

Job summary

The Department of Education in Western Australia is seeking a Principal for Pannawonica School, commencing Term 1, 2027. You will lead with a strong moral purpose, foster an inclusive culture, and drive student-centred outcomes across a small regional K-12 setting.

This role involves strategic resource allocation, building stakeholder relationships, and guiding school improvement in aRio Tinto mining community with unique housing and relocation incentives.

Responsibilities

• Lead with a strong moral purpose and commitment to enabling every student to learn successfully.
• Foster an inclusive school culture focused on meeting diverse learning needs.
• Strategically allocate and develop resources to maximise student outcomes and wellbeing.

Job description

Advertised Vacancy Number: PR1066183

Permanent, full-time position commencing Term 1, 2027. The 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. Find out more about Pannawonica School by visiting PannawonicaPS.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

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.

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.

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 26 October 2026.