Deputy Principal - Operations

About Studio Schools of Australia Ltd

Studio Schools of Australia (SSA) was established in 2019 to bring about a “system” level change in secondary education for Indigenous students in remote communities across northern Australia. This “system level” reform is based on well-established evidence of what works for Indigenous students, their families and communities, in a scalable, proven work-related model of education introduced at the Yiramalay / Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley, Western Australia, in 2010.

SSA’s mission is to enable Indigenous students to lead their own advancement and to take a valuable and meaningful place in their own communities and within Australia.

SSA is committed to being a child safe environment, and we actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students.  All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment.

Overview

The Deputy Principal - Operations is a key leadership role ensuring the school runs efficiently, safely, and in alignment with Indigenous community values. Reporting to the Principal, this position oversees daily operations, staff coordination, and program delivery, while maintaining a 0.4FTE teaching load.

Key Relationships:

• Principal

• Deputy Principal - Culture

• Bunuba Elders & Traditional Owners

• Indigenous Education Research Centre (IERC)

• Local Indigenous partners, families, and service providers

Key Responsibilities

1.       Operational Leadership & School Management

• Oversee daily operations, including:

  • Timetabling, staff/student rostering, and weekend on-call duties (residential program).

  • Risk management & compliance (OH&S, child safety, regulatory requirements).

  • Resource allocation (budget oversight in collaboration with the Principal).

     

• Deputise for the Principal when required.

2.       Staff Development & Induction

• Lead staff onboarding in partnership with the Principal, Deputy Principal - Culture, and Bunuba Language Mentor.

• Establish a mentoring system for new staff.

• Support individual professional growth plans for teachers.

• Coordinate with school partner for Year 10 Induction programs.

3.       Educational Program Delivery

• Support the Principal in implementing culturally responsive curricula, including:

  • Bunuba language & cultural programs.

  • Vocational & work-related learning initiatives.

     

• Liaise with external partners (sport, wellbeing, and industry organisations).

• Ensure data-driven improvements (tracking attendance, retention, and student progress).

4.       Community & Cultural Engagement

• Build trust and relationships with Indigenous families, Elders, and local organisations.

• Attend community events and represent the school.

• Promote two-way learning respecting Indigenous knowledge and practice in education.

5.       Strategic Planning & Reporting

• Implement actions from the strategic implementation plan.

• Contribute to long-term program planning with the IERC.

• Report on KPIs (enrolment, attendance, staff/student wellbeing).

Measures of Best Practice

• Student Outcomes: Attendance, retention, academic progress, wellbeing.

• Cultural Impact: Strengthened Indigenous language and culture.

• Operational Efficiency: Smooth daily operations, risk mitigation, compliance.

• Community Trust: Strong relationships with families & Traditional Owners.

• Staff Retention & Development: Low turnover, high engagement.

Skills & Capabilities

Essential:

• TRBWA registration (or eligibility).

• Teaching experience (min. 5 years), preferably in Indigenous or remote education.

• Operational leadership (timetabling, staffing, compliance).

• Cultural competency – deep respect for Indigenous traditions.

• Strong communication – able to engage diverse stakeholders.

• Organisational skills – manages multiple priorities under pressure.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices.

• First Aid certification

Desirable:

• 4WD experience

• Cert IV in workplace assessment and training

• Experience in vocational education or work-related learning.

Additional Requirements

• Current Driver’s Licence (mandatory).

• Working with Children Check.

• Willingness to live remotely in residence on site at the school.

Employment

Due to Australian immigration regulations, applicants must have Australian work rights. We especially welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Applicants will be required to provide a current WA Working with Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check (NPC).

All appointments at Studio Schools of Australia are subject to child protection legislation and pre-employment screening.