Head of Department - Student Engagement and Wellbeing - Mornington Island State School

Job Reference QLD/NQR685231/26T

Closing date April 26, 2026

Location North West Qld

Contact
0455 480 292

About the Department of Education:

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity, offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us.

About our School and Community:

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. 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.

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.

About the Role:

This is a key leadership position responsible for driving a coherent, whole-school approach to student wellbeing, engagement, and behaviour.

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

• Lead and embed a whole-school wellbeing framework aligned to school improvement priorities
• Lead a consistent, proactive and high-expectations approach to behaviour support across the school
• Oversee case management systems for students with complex wellbeing needs, ensuring regular monitoring, review and impact
• Strengthen coordination of multi-agency support, working in partnership with families, community and external providers (e.g. Guidance Officer, CYMHS, EQLink)
• Build staff capability to implement trauma-informed, culturally responsive and relational practice in every classroom

Please view the role description for a full list of responsibilities.

Key Capabilities

We are seeking a leader who can operate both strategically and operationally, with the ability to lead systems, people and change.

• Proven expertise in leading complex case management, including data-informed decision-making and ongoing monitoring
• Deep knowledge of positive behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, and engagement strategies in complex contexts
• Ability to establish a calm, structured and high-expectations learning environment across the school
• Highly developed capacity to build trusting, respectful relationships with students, families, and community
• Strong commitment to culturally responsive practice and working in genuine partnership
• Capacity to lead with clarity, consistency and high expectations while maintaining a strong relational approach

What We Offer

• A high-functioning, improvement-focused leadership team
• Strong and established community partnerships
• Access to targeted coaching and professional learning
• The opportunity to lead significant, system-level work that directly impacts student outcomes
• A unique and deeply rewarding remote leadership experience
• Excellent subsided housing and remote incentives

Submit Your Application:

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history)
• Attach a maximum 2-page response to the key capabilities outlined in the above role description.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role description

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

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

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.