CBC Fremantle is a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition for boys in Years 7-12. Founded by the Christian Brothers in 1901, the College has served the local Fremantle community for over a century helping families to raise boys who continually strive for excellence and who exhibit Catholic Leadership in their quest to establish a more just and peaceful society.

The College seeks to assist in the spiritual, academic, cultural, physical and emotional development of boys while acknowledging the primary role of the family as educator. As such, the College encourages its students to rigorously pursue excellence in all dimensions of their lives and to become leaders within their community through the active expression of their faith.

The Head of Academic Excellence provides strategic leadership for the identification, development and support of students demonstrating exceptional academic ability, creativity, leadership potential and advanced learning needs.

The Head of Academic Excellence leads the Lumina program, a whole-school approach to talent development, ensuring that highly able learners are appropriately challenged, engaged and supported through differentiated curriculum, enrichment opportunities, accelerated pathways and wellbeing-informed support.

Working collaboratively with Heads of Learning Areas, classroom teachers, academic support staff, parents and external organisations, the Head of Academic Excellence promotes a culture of curiosity, excellence and intellectual rigour throughout the school. Through strategic planning, collaboration and advocacy, the role ensures that students with advanced learning needs are recognised, nurtured and provided with opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Role Purpose

Lead a coherent, evidence-informed program for gifted, talented and high-potential learners.

Ensure identified students experience appropriate challenges, extensions and accelerations where suitable.

Support teachers to differentiate curriculum, assessment and pedagogy for advanced learners.

Maintain clear presence as parent and community contact for gifted, talented and high-potential learners.

Strengthen the school’s reputation for academic excellence, enrichment, and innovation.

Key Selection Criteria

Demonstrated expertise in teaching and supporting gifted, talented or high-potential learners.

Strong understanding of differentiation, enrichment, curriculum acceleration and evidence-informed gifted education practice.

Demonstrated ability to analyse student achievement data and translate findings into practical teaching and learning responses.

Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.

Experience leading programs, projects, teams or whole-school initiatives.

Strategic thinking, initiative and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Postgraduate study or professional learning in gifted education, curriculum, educational leadership, psychology or a related field.

Knowledge of twice-exceptionality and the wellbeing needs of gifted adolescents.





Experience developing external partnerships, competitions, research programs or university-linked pathways.

Key Responsibilities

1. Identification, Assessment and Monitoring

Develop and oversee a comprehensive identification process for gifted, talented and high potential learners.

Maintain an accurate and confidential register of gifted, talented and high-potential students.

Monitor academic progress, engagement and wellbeing indicators to ensure each student’s learning pathway remains appropriately challenging.

Review student data regularly and work with staff to respond when achievement, motivation or engagement falls below demonstrated potential.

2. Curriculum Leadership and Teacher Support

In conjunction with the Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, lead implementation of evidence-based gifted education practices across learning areas.

Coach teachers in differentiation strategies including curriculum compacting, enrichment, acceleration, flexible grouping, higher-order questioning and assessment modification.

Collaborate with Heads of Learning Areas to embed extension and enrichment opportunities into teaching and learning programs.

Support the design of assessment tasks that allow students to demonstrate sophisticated critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and independent inquiry.

3. Student Programs and Pathways

Coordinate the school’s gifted and high-potential learning program across Years 7–12.

Develop and oversee enrichment opportunities such as academic competitions, Olympiads, debating, public speaking, Philosothon, Da Vinci Decathlon, Tournament of Minds, Model United Nations, research projects and university extension programs.

Establish mentoring opportunities involving staff, alumni, academics, professionals, and community partners.

Support independent learning projects, passion projects, entrepreneurship initiatives and student-led academic inquiry.

Organise, lead and attend national and international tours relevant to gifted and high potential learning.

4. Learning Plans and Family Engagement

Develop individualised Gifted Learning Plans for students with exceptional ability, twice-exceptionality or complex learning profiles where appropriate.

Communicate with families regarding identification, learning pathways, acceleration options and enrichment opportunities.

Provide advice to parents and carers about giftedness, high potential learning, underachievement and twice-exceptionality.

Act as a key contact person for families of students involved with the Lumina program.

5. Professional Learning and Staff Development





Facilitate professional learning for staff on gifted education, high potential learning and academic extension.

Develop practical resources and planning tools to support teachers in meeting the needs of advanced learners.

Model exemplary teaching practice through co-planning, co-teaching, demonstration lessons or instructional coaching where appropriate.

Promote a shared staff understanding that gifted learners require intentional support, not simply additional work.

6. Partnerships, Outreach and Profile

Develop partnerships with universities, professional associations, research organisations, cultural institutions and industry groups.

Continue to strengthen and expand partnership opportunities with Iona and Santa Maria Colleges.

Network with comparable independent, Catholic and government schools to share best practice in gifted education.

Promote student achievement and program opportunities through appropriate school communication channels.

Contribute to the school’s public profile as a leader in academic excellence and talent development.

7. Strategic Leadership, Evaluation and Reporting

Develop, implement and review the school’s Gifted and High Potential Learning Strategy.

Review policy, procedures and program documentation to ensure alignment with contemporary research and Australian curriculum expectations.

Prepare reports for senior leadership on participation, student progress, program impact and future priorities.

Manage the gifted education budget and recommend resources, partnerships and qualified learning priorities.

Commencing 1 January 2027.

Level 1 Promotional allowance.

The contract of employment is for a term of five years subject to a successful formative review during the second year. The successful applicant may request a summative review in the fourth year. At the conclusion of the five-year period, the position will be advertised with the incumbent welcome to re-apply.

The Head of Academic Excellence should expect that they will be required to work flexible hours, including attendance at meetings and College functions as part of, or in addition to, normal working hours. Several duties and responsibilities will need to be performed at times other than during the school day or when students are in attendance.

CBC Fremantle is a child safe employer. The successful candidate will be committed to ensuring a culture of child safety.

CBC Fremantle is committed to providing a child-safe workplace which safe guards all students and is committed to promoting practices which provides for the safety, wellbeing and welfare of our children and young people. CBC Fremantle takes child protection very seriously. All candidates for roles at the College are subjected to screening and assessment against child safety standards as part of our thorough recruitment process. CBC Fremantle reserves the right to appoint, amend or withdraw jobs at any time during the process, including prior to the advertised closing date.

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📌 Head of Academic Excellence (Fremantle)
🏢 CBC Fremantle
📍 Fremantle