Job Description

Kuba waga kilmu - Hello everybody! Mornington Island State School is offering the opportunity for an exceptional and highly relational leader to join our leadership team as Head of Department - Student Services. This is a temporary full-time role until the end of term 4, 2027.

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Who We Are

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Located in Gununa within the Wellesley Island Group in the Gulf of Carpentaria, our Kindy to Year 10 school serves a strong and proud Aboriginal community.

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Our work is grounded in deep partnerships with families and community, with a clear focus on ensuring every student is known, supported and able to succeed.

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In 2025, our school was recognised with a regional award for excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, reflecting our commitment to culturally responsive practice, strong community connection and improved outcomes for students.

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About The Role

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This is a key leadership position responsible for providing leadership and guidance for the implementation of innovative measures aimed at improving student learning outcomes and attendance in schools where a significant percentage of students may have a disadvantaged background, ensuring quality learning outcomes for all students.

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Working alongside the Principal and Deputy Principals the Head of Department - Student Services will lead the development and implementation of systems that ensure every student is actively engaged in learning and supported to thrive.

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The Successful Applicant Will

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- Provide management and engagement strategies including induction activities of current arrivals, and advise on specific academic, social and emotional needs of new arrivals.
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- Monitor students' individual performance and behaviour and develop and implement intervention strategies where necessary.
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- Communicate and work with parents, staff, higher education institutes and State Schools Division to develop strategies to improve learning outcomes, student achievements and attendance.
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As The Successful Applicant You Will Have

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- Deep knowledge of positive behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, and student support strategies in complex contexts.
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- Ability to establish a calm, structured and high-expectations learning environment across the school.
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- Highly developed capacity to build trusting, respectful relationships with students, families, and community.
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- Strong commitment to culturally responsive practice and working in genuine partnership.
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- Capacity to lead with clarity, consistency and high expectations while maintaining a strong relational approach.
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What We Offer

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- A high-functioning, improvement-focused leadership team
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- Solid and established community partnerships
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- Access to targeted coaching and qualified learning
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- The opportunity to lead significant, system-level work that directly impacts student outcomes
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- A unique and deeply rewarding remote leadership experience
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- Excellent subsided housing and remote incentives
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Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.

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We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.

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Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.

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Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

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Occupational group Education & Training

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📌 Head of Department - Student ServicesMornington Island State School (Townsville)
🏢 Queensland Government
📍 Townsville