Mackay Northern Beaches is seeking an energetic, future-focused and collaborative Head of Department - Student Services for Year 9 to join our progressive leadership team in this temporary position for 2027, unless otherwise determined.

The successful applicant will lead a strong, student-focused approach that supports every Year 9 student to succeed, and transition confidently into further education, training or employment. They will use data-informed practices to closely monitor student engagement, attendance, achievement and pathway progress, working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary sector team, staff, families and external partners to provide timely support and achieve the best possible outcomes for all students.

Job details

About us:

We are located in the growing Northern Beaches area of Mackay. As one of the newest schools in the Central Queensland (CQ) region, opening our doors in 2013, the school boasts 21st century facilities second to none.

Our school's key focus is to prepare our students both academically and socially for a successful transition into society, through our core values of Excelling in Education, Equipping for Life & Empowering to Lead.

Your opportunity:

As Head of Department - Student Services for Year 9, you will bring a proven ability to:

• Lead a shared vision for Year 9 achievement, engagement and wellbeing, aligned with the Department's Brighter Futures strategy and the school's improvement priorities.
• Use attendance, engagement, behaviour, achievement and wellbeing data to monitor students, identify emerging concerns and guide timely intervention.
• Lead coordinated case management for students requiring additional support, establishing clear actions, responsibilities and progress monitoring.
• Maintain a strong understanding of curriculum, assessment and learning expectations to support improved outcomes across the Year 9 cohort. 
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary Middle School sector team, including school leaders, teachers, support staff, families, external agencies and community partners.
• Build strong relationships with students and families, maintaining clear communication about progress, expectations, emerging concerns and available support.
• Strengthen a positive Year 9 culture characterised by high expectations, belonging, inclusion, student leadership, pride and personal responsibility. 
• Coordinate strategies that improve attendance, engagement, behaviour, wellbeing and academic achievement across the cohort. 
• Identify and strengthen opportunities for students to participate in school leadership, co-curricular activities and broader community experiences. 
• Support students to develop the learning habits, resilience and personal responsibility required for a successful transition into the senior phase of learning. 
• Set and maintain high expectations for student and staff performance, ensuring consistent implementation of school policies, procedures and agreed practices. 
• Contribute actively to the leadership of whole-school strategic priorities and improvement initiatives. 
• Demonstrate reflective, resilient and adaptable leadership, responding proactively to the changing needs of students and the Year 9 cohort.

Interested? To Apply: 

• Attach a maximum 3 page resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history).
• Attach a 2-page response to the 'How you will be assessed' or 'Competencies' section of the attached 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.

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 Applicant Information Package and follow the instructions.

Documents

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

• CQR701602_26T - Role Description (PDF, 273KB)
  Role Description
  
  Application Information Package (PDF, 285KB)
  Information Package for Applicants