Head Of Learning Area - Languages

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SA882712

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2024

Willetton Senior High School (SHS) is seeking a dynamic and vibrant Head of Learning Area (HOLA) Languages to join their incredible team.

As the HOLA – Languages at Willetton SHS, your role encompasses leading staff in the development and delivery of high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment programs aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum. You'll actively contribute to the school's leadership team, reflecting on and assessing teaching practices, fostering an environment conducive to active and positive learning, and providing educational opportunities to enable students to reach their highest potential. Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, offering professional leadership in curriculum matters.

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with senior management and the broader school community to provide educational leadership, promoting the school's vision and strategic directions. As a standout educator, you will ideally display a willingness to take on significant accountability within the school, while also showcasing exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively lead and manage the Languages team. The role can encompass the need for innovation, knowledge, and a deep understanding of instructional and curriculum leadership, with a commitment to staying updated on developments in the Languages Learning Area.

As the HOLA, you're tasked with strategically and operationally leading the Languages Learning Area to enhance Willetton SHS's reputation as an outstanding Independent Public School. Integral to this is your ability to inspire support among teachers and students, fostering exceptional communication and collaboration skills to build trust within the school and wider community. Additionally, facilitating international exchange programs and excursions requires your expertise in planning and policy adherence.

At Willetton SHS, fostering a strong, positive culture is paramount, with an emphasis on values such as Care, Respect, and Excellence. As a teacher, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring these values underpin all actions, with a focus on pastoral care, student well-being, and forming positive working relationships.

Willetton SHS is one of the largest schools in Western Australia, drawing its student enrolment from diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. With a student population in excess of 2600 and approximately 220 teaching staff and 120 support staff on campus the school is inclusive and comprehensive providing courses for Years 7 to 12. It is the school of choice for many local and international families.

The school is committed to the intellectual, creative and social development of our students through the provision of stimulating and relevant programs and orderly teaching and classroom practices. Pastoral care and academic achievement are very strong. Community support and parental involvement are cornerstones of our culture.

As one of the leading and top Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) recognised schools in Western Australia, the school regularly attains outstanding Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) achievement results. Complementing these achievements, the school has a high emphasis on the quality and delivery of General and Vocational Education and Training (VET) based courses to help supply a holistic education setting.

The school offers a number of specialist programs to meet student needs and interests. These programs include Gifted and Talented, a Business Internship with Murdoch University and Specialist Basketball. There are numerous after school sporting teams, debating and poetry clubs and we are a Lead Language School. Willetton SHS prides itself on an ethos that all students will be successful.

Willetton SHS has a strong, positive culture and as a teacher you will have a key role in ensuring our school values of Care, Respect and Excellence are reflected and underpin all actions.

This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position. 

To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work related requirements:

• 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;
• 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);
• Capacity to manage staff, physical and financial resources.

Applications will be assessed against the work related requirements of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

Additional information about Independent Public Schools is also available here

For further job related information:

During the school holiday period, please contact Trevor Hunter on 0427 171 ***.

Application Instructions

All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow the instructions on your screen.

Your application should include:

• A (4) page statement addressing the Work Related Requirements, in context of the role and business needs of the branch
• A CV of up to (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably one being your current line manager.

It is recommended you have these documents completed and ready to attach before selecting “Apply for Job”.

You are asked to complete an online application form and attach your documentation, please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.

After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please telephone (08) 9264 4***.

If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone (08) 9264 86***for assistance.

Eligibility and training requirements

 Employees will be required to:

• provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy;
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit prior to commencement of employment
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check;
• complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement;
• complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment and every three years thereafter;
• complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement; and
• complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Friday, 26 April 2024

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE

 PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED