This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly effective leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Associate Principal – Academic Achievement. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across the school, with a particular focus on ensuring all students are supported to achieve success in their chosen pathways and are well prepared for life beyond school.
The Associate Principal plays a critical role in leading and supporting students in Years 7 to 12, ensuring successful completion of senior schooling and strong post‐school pathways. Central to this role is oversight of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) tracker, enabling rigorous monitoring of student progress, achievement and pathway attainment, alongside the implementation of timely and targeted interventions.
A strong understanding of Vocational Education and Training (VET) is desirable. The role includes oversight of the school's Industry Links program and pathways, which provide students with access to workplace learning and nationally recognised qualifications. The successful applicant should display experience in this area to ensure students are supported to engage in meaningful, future‐focused pathways aligned to their aspirations and workforce opportunities.
The Associate Principal leads key transition points, ensuring students are effectively supported as they enter senior school and move beyond into further education, training or employment. This includes establishing clear, individualised pathways so that every student is known, supported and positioned for success.
Working in close partnership with the Principal and Executive Team, the successful applicant would help shape and enact the school's strategic direction. They will ideally display confidence in using evidence‐informed practice and data analysis to identify priorities, articulate a clear rationale for change and lead improvement in key school performance measures, including Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) outcomes. A highly motivated and reflective leader with a demonstrated growth mindset and a track record of effective leadership will contribute strategically through participative decision‐making, policy development and the establishment of aligned, effective systems.
Outstanding interpersonal, communication and leadership skills are integral, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, families and the wider community to achieve positive student outcomes.
A highly developed operational skill set is advantageous. The role requires the capacity to lead complex administrative and organisational systems that support efficient school operations. Experience in timetabling is highly desirable, with an understanding that it is a complex, multi‐layered process requiring strategic decision‐making to balance student choice, curriculum provision, staffing and resource allocation for optimal and resource‐efficient solutions. Proficiency in platforms such as Compass and reporting systems, alongside experience in human resource management, recruitment processes, regulatory compliance, implementation of information systems and oversight of strategic workforce planning, will be highly valued.
Rockingham SHS offers a diverse range of high‐demand and competitive specialist pathways, including Maritime Training, Specialist Netball, Basketball and Rugby League Academy programs, an Academic Extension pathway and Learning Support Enrichment. The successful applicant should display experience in leading leaders to effectively manage specialist programmes, ensuring high‐quality teaching and learning, strong student outcomes and alignment with community expectations.
A commitment to Learning for Life underpins this role, with a focus on maintaining high expectations and equitable outcomes across all pathways. The Associate Principal will also play a key role in strengthening enrolments in specialist programmes through strategic promotion, clear communication of program value and ensuring sustained programme excellence.
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. For more information about the benefits, please visit the professional and personal benefits page.
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.
Eligibility
* 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.
* 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.
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps.
Step 1: Select "Apply for Job" and complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work‐related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.
Step 2: Attach your documents
* A CV of up to five (5) 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:
o Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
o High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
o 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.
o 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.
Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/DP1047400.
Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process, including 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 Monday, 15 June 2026.
Contact
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Donna McDonald, Principal, on (08) 9527 0300 or email Donna.Mcdonald@education.wa.edu.au.
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