Head of Learning Area

Division: Independent Public School - South Metropolitan Education Region

Salary: Level 3, $137,428 - $150,385 per annum (pro-rata) (SEA GA 2023)

Work Type: Permanent - Part Time, Permanent - Full Time, Fixed Term - Full Time, Fixed Term - Part Time

We are seeking to establish a pool of Head of Learning Area - Science for permanent and fixed term, full-time and part-time vacancies which may arise during the 2026 school year. Appointments may be offered at any time for vacancies that commence during this period.

Como Secondary College (SC) builds promising futures for our students through providing an excellent education and a rich range of curricula and extra-curricular opportunities. Central to the students’ experience at Como is a school culture that promotes learning. The school is driven by the deep belief that every student is capable of successful learning and that it is the responsibility of every teacher to ensure that all students progress. At Como every student matters. As a school and as teachers we don’t give up on students – we constantly explore new ways to engage students who are not making progress. The personal and familial attributes and circumstances relating to a student are not viewed as excuses for a student’s lack of academic and/or social progress. Instead, they are viewed as challenges to be overcome.

Como SC caters for Years 7 to12, students can follow Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), General or Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, preparing for university entry, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) or the workplace. The strong academic program is complemented by a specialist learning program supporting students in Years 7 to 9 who are at risk in literacy and numeracy, and a flexible learning program students in Years 11 to 12 allowing them to make an effective transition from school to work or other training.

Como SC is seeking an educational leader with the skills, knowledge and drive to continue to develop and maintain an outstanding Science Learning Area. The suitable applicants will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain the enthusiasm and commitment of the teachers in their charge. They will ideally be expected to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of the learning area by continuing to develop a calm, productive atmosphere and a culture of cooperation and disciplined collaboration. Robust professional discussion and dialogue will ideally be fostered and encouraged in a respectful way. They will ideally role model exemplary practice as a teacher and as a leader and support their teachers in all aspects of their work including behaviour management, assessment, parent contact and management and strategic planning.

They will ideally have the skills to translate the priorities of the school’s Business Plan and our Strategic Directions into a learning area operational plan that provides clear direction for their staff. They will ideally support staff in their development both individually and as a team, also holding them accountable for day-to-day work, and for the implementation of the plan and achievement of the learning area’s goals. The successful applicant will ideally need to manage their resilience and have the skills to conduct clear conversations when necessary. The successful applicant will ideally have the ability to understand the wider school context and constructively work with other heads of learning area and the administration team to achieve broader school objectives.

The suitable applicants will ideally have a growth mindset and be committed to the school’s Instructional Model and will lead the learning area’s participation in our Instructional Coaching program. The successful applicant will ideally have a deep knowledge of the Year 7 to 12 curriculum including compliance, assessment and reporting practices. Although the Science HoLA can be from any Science background, they ideally need a thorough working knowledge of all subjects we teach at Como: Chemistry ATAR; Physics ATAR; Human Biology ATAR and General; Biology ATAR; Psychology ATAR and general; Science in Practice General; and the associated subjects in Years 7 to 10. The HoLA is ideally required to have a high level of data gathering and analysis skills to monitor the individual and collective progress of students in each class in the Learning Area, and to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching practice and team performance. Familiarity with Compass or similar as a learning management system will be an advantage.

Additional Information

Como Secondary College is not a bring your own device school. We have several computer laboratories and most Learning Areas, including Science, have a growing bank of Chrome Books for student use.

A recent timetable change has allowed us to introduce an important time on Fridays from 2:10 to 3:15pm for Disciplined Collaboration amongst staff focussed on student outcomes. Learning Area plans describe some of the activities staff complete in this time. Some of the time is used for whole school collaboration including learning about Disciplined Collaboration. This is not extra DOTT under the usual definition. The school runs a number of Approved Special Programs. These are Hockey; Golf; Music; Enrichment in Maths, Information Technology (IT) and Science (EMITS). The EMITS program offers opportunities for creativity and cross-curricular planning.

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 personalbenefits .

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

During the school holidays, please contact Alen Kursar on 0427 799 933.

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.

- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
- obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and

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.

Your application should include:

- A CV of up to four (4) 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/SA997302

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

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025

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