About us
Purnululu School has a long history and reputation for excellence in two-way learning. From its roots in the Purnululu National Park to its present location in the beautiful Woorreranginy (Frog Hollow) Community, the school's reputation is strong with a culturally responsive and strengths based approach to learning and teaching. You will experience local Gija community leadership supporting the work of the school, daily Gija language teaching and a curriculum grounded in culture and Country. The School is the first and only Aboriginal school in Western Australia to have some locally developed alternative curriculum areas recognised by SCSA. The school has a large and dedicated team of local support staff and a stable and committed team of teachers. We are very proud of Purnululu School and are looking for a new leader to commence in 2025. We want to find the right person to embrace the great work we already do and bring a fresh perspective to our unique learning environment.
Qualifications & experience
- Must hold a minimum of Bachelor of Education, Teacher Registration, Working with Children Card and existing work rights in Australia. Experience in Aboriginal education contexts is highly desirable. Must have a valid driver's license.
Tasks & responsibilities
- Leading in a dynamic and complex school environment on Gija Country. Managing the day to day operations of the school.
- Working alongside the Gija community to provide high quality learning and teaching and fostering strong school-community partnerships.
- Providing and maintaining a culturally safe, trauma responsive environment for staff and students.
- Supporting the School Board's mandate in the ongoing development and implementation of a SCSA approved alternative Gija curriculum including the school's unique whole school curriculum involving story cycles aligned with Gija culture and language.
- Ensuring the learning and teaching program is strengths based, responsive to children and families, culturally safe and supportive of robust learning outcomes and academic progress for all students.
- Staff recruitment, supervision, training and development. Ensuring high quality teaching and learning and school culture.
- Managing the school payroll, accounts payable, budget, audit, reporting and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Applying for and managing grant funds for capital works and projects to advance the work of the school. Fundraising and engagement with donors.
- Ensuring that vehicles, facilities and buildings are maintained and meet OHS standards, including managing teacher and visitor accommodation with support from the Operations Manager and Grounds Staff.
- Promoting the work of the school through social media, media and in regional, state and national forums.
- Build capacity of local Gija staff by supporting participation in relevant and culturally responsive training and in national and international representative forums and conferences.
- Candidates must address these tasks and responsibilities in a cover letter along with a detailed and up to date CV.
- Candidates must provide contact details for two professional referees including their current role, email address and phone details, one referee must be a current line manager.
Benefits
- Working with an engaged community in a school with an incredible reputation.
- The principal is provided with a 4WD vehicle for personal and work use as well as a work phone. Generous annual travel home allowance. Remote location allowance.
- Comfortable, large furnished and equipped house including internet, power and gas for a peppercorn rent.
- Living and working in the beautiful East Kimberley, 20km from the Purnululu National Park and 2.25 hours from a major town with all services.
- Location 1km from the Great Northern Highway with access to major Kimberley towns by sealed road.
- A lovely community where you feel safe and made very welcome by locals and other staff.
- Annual Aboriginal Independent Community Schools Conference in Broome. Collegiate network with other Independent School Principals.
- Support from the Association of Independent Schools of WA through a dedicated team of consultants including leadership, governance, psychology, inclusive education, all curriculum learning areas, child safety, industrial relations.
- School with a solid financial base, room to grow and strong enrolments.