Head of Learning Area - Health and Physical Education

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 2, 2026

A School of Choice: At Duncraig Senior High School (SHS) we have a strong reputation for academic excellence, including flourishing Gifted and Talented and Academic Extension programs. We champion a culture where Care, Engage, & Excel is our shared language that shapes every decision, conversation and improvement initiative. Our leaders drive a strong focus on high-quality teaching and learning, supporting professional growth, reflective practice and innovation. Through our investment in staff expertise and leadership we foster shared practice and a growth mindset across the school. Data-informed decision making, purposeful professional learning and clear operational alignment ensure that we remain strategic, measured and sustainable. Duncraig SHS leaders prioritise a connected school eco-system, strengthening our partnerships and cultivating cohesion that promotes belonging, resilience and academic success. Together, we have built and support a learning community that prepares students to thrive as confident, capable and compassionate contributors in a rapidly changing world.

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

The Role

As a key member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, the successful applicant would work closely with the Principal and Executive Team to provide educational leadership both within the school and the broader community. Your primary focus should be on developing and promoting the school's vision, encouraging active participation from school staff, community volunteers, and other stakeholders, all within the context of the Health and Physical Education Learning Area.

We are seeking leaders who ideally:

• Are passionate about curriculum leadership and pedagogical excellence.
• Have an ability to build team capacity, inspire innovation and lead change.
• Display a high-level data literacy and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Are committed to inclusive education and differentiated learning.
• Are committed to their own professional growth and development.

In your capacity as an instructional leader, you would play a crucial role in providing professional guidance to Teachers both within the Health and Physical Education space and across our specialist areas which include our Duncraig Triathlon Academy, which is an elite program, and our Outdoor Education Programs. As such, knowledge and understanding of outdoor specific activities and best practice operational requirements for running programs such as these would be highly desirable.

A key aspect of your role may involve implementing change management strategies to lead the school community in accepting and developing opportunities for refined service and operational processes within your Learning Area and the programs that operate within it. Your leadership should extend to the collaborative implementation and refinement of our 2026-2028 school Business Plan involving participative decision-making, policy development, and the establishment of necessary systems.

Why you should apply: Duncraig SHS offers a professional environment where high quality teaching is prioritised and supported. Our staff engage in structured professional learning aligned with our direction and our school-wide instructional framework, which ensures consistency, clarity and high-impact across our learning spaces. Teachers benefit from collaborative planning structures, moderation processes and targeted coaching to refine their practice. Leadership pathways and career development opportunities are available for those seeking to extend their influence across the school and the wider system. Duncraig’s operational systems are well established, allowing teachers to focus their energy on instruction and student achievement.

Technology integration is an embedded culture at Duncraig SHS and students operate within a one-to-one laptop environment. Teachers are expected to leverage digital tools to enhance engagement, differentiation and assessment. Successful applicants should ideally have experience using platforms such as Compass, Reporting to Parents, Student Achievement Information System and other relevant Department systems. Highly regarded applicants will leverage technologies to streamline workflows, analyse performance data and enhance communication with our students and families. Having a forward-thinking mindset toward digital innovation and contemporary practice is desirable.

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 Myles Draper, Principal, on (08) 6241 5400 or by emailing Myles.Draper@education.wa.edu.au.

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 three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position.
• A three (3) 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/SA1027685

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, 16 March 2026.