This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026
Rockingham Senior High School (SHS) is committed to building REAL Futures through a shared moral purpose grounded in our values of Respect, Engagement, Achievement and Learning for Life. Our vision is to empower every student to live and learn with purpose, developing the skills, capabilities and mindset needed to contribute meaningfully to a global community. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive, inclusive and high-expectations culture where every student is known, valued and supported to achieve their personal best.
Our school provides a broad and engaging range of academic, vocational and specialist pathways designed to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of our students. Through a strong focus on high-quality teaching, student wellbeing and future-focused learning, we create opportunities for all learners to grow their strengths and build pathways into further education, training or employment.
At Rockingham SHS, our commitment to Learning for Life underpins everything we do. We work in partnership with students, staff, families and the wider community to ensure every young person is equipped to thrive in school, in life, and in an ever-changing global future.
Find out more about our school by visiting Rockingham Senior High School or Schools Online.
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 with particular focus on 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, the successful applicant will ideally have a track record of effective leadership and will contribute strategically through participative decision-making, policy development, and the establishment of aligned and 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 advantagous. 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 to achieve 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 programs, 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 woukd also play a key role in strengthening enrolments in specialist programs through strategic promotion, clear communication of program value, and ensuring sustained program 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. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.
Want to know more?
Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Donna McDonald, Principal on (08) 9527 0300 or emailing [email protected]
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).
Application Instructions
Apply online in two easy steps:
Step 1: Select Apply for Job
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
Your application should include:
- 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
- Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
- High level of interpersonal and public relations skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
- 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).
- 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 for assistance.
Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/DP1047400
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 Monday, 15 June 2026
