Mackay State High School is seeking a strategic and innovative Deputy Principal who brings energy, resilience, and a solutions-focused mindset to lead student engagement and drive school improvement.

This role requires a committed leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is ready to contribute to meaningful change alongside a high-performing executive team.

You will be joining a school focused on developing leadership, fostering innovation, and achieving strong outcomes for every student.

Job details

About the Department 

The Department of Education is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community and schools we support by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This starts with recruitment and selection. The methods of assessing suitability in the recruitment process may vary. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support applicants at all stages of the process and employee lifecycle.  

About the School 

Mackay State High School is one of Queensland's original state high schools, with over a century of proud history and strong community connections. We are a large, inclusive school committed to high expectations, educational excellence, and diverse student pathways. Our dedicated staff work in a supportive environment focused on respect, responsibility and resilience, helping every student succeed.

Your Opportunity 

As the Deputy Principal you will:

• Improve the educational outcomes of students in their schools
• Develop the quality of teaching and learning
• Nurture positive relationships between students, teachers, the community and stakeholders.

The Deputy Principal reports to the school Principal.

Your Responsibilities 

The Deputy Principal role leads key Middle School engagement priorities, including attendance, Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), and student connection through the vertical House system. The position also includes shared leadership of curriculum areas and line management of Heads of Department.

As the Deputy Principal, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:  

• Lead student engagement strategies across the Middle School, with a particular focus on belonging, behaviour, and attendance.
• Oversee and coordinate student case management, including leading development of behaviour support plans and wraparound Tier 2 and 3 support for students.
• Build strong, respectful relationships with students, staff and families, with a capacity to de-escalate complex situations and manage parent interactions with professionalism and care.
• Provide effective line management of curriculum Heads of Department, guiding engaging teaching and learning through collaborative staff practices, and ensuring consistent and rigorous moderation processes occur across all phases of learning.
• Drive the implementation and refinement of the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework across the school.
• Monitor and improve student attendance and engagement data, working collaboratively with Heads of Year, Year Coordinators, and student support staff.
• Operationalise the day-to-day running and organisation of the school, ensuring smooth delivery of school routines and key processes.
• Support Permission to Teach (PTT) and Beginning Teachers through a comprehensive induction process, ongoing professional guidance, and targeted support to build confidence, capability, and connection within the school community.
• Support the Principal and wider leadership team in delivering the Mackay SHS Strategic Plan 2023-2026, with a shared commitment to continuous school improvement.
• A working knowledge of OneSchool timetabling would be advantageous, though not essential, and support can be provided for the right candidate.

Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position. 

Interested? To Apply 

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should be familiar with your relevant work history). 
• Attach a written statement (2-page maximum) addressing Key Capabilities 1-4 as per Role Description "How you will be assessed" section. 
• Attach a copy of the mandatory requirements 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.

The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies.

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached role description and candidate information fact sheet and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  CQR644114_25T - Role Description (PDF, 241KB)
  Role Description