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Head of Department (English/Science) - Cairns School of Distance Education (Two Positions)
Far North Queensland Region, School and Regional Operations and Performance Division
Take the next step in your leadership career with two exciting opportunities at Cairns School of Distance Education, with one Head of Department position available in English and one in Science.
Lead and inspire teaching and learning within your curriculum area, support staff and drive positive student outcomes in a dynamic distance education environment.
Apply now to bring your curriculum expertise and leadership skills to Cairns School of Distance Education and make a difference in students' learning journeys!
Job details
| Position status | Fixed Term Temporary |
|---|---|
| Position type | Full-time |
| Occupational group | Education & Training |
| Classification | Stream 2 /HO1 |
| Workplace Location | Cairns region |
| Job ad reference | QLD/FNR706645/26T |
| Closing date | 22-Nov-2026 |
| Job duration | Until 10 Dec 2027 unless otherwise determined |
| Contact person | Tanya Findlay |
| Contact details | 07 4080 9947 Access the National Relay Service |
About us:
Located in Manunda, Cairns, Cairns School of Distance Education provides flexible, high-quality education to home-based and school-based students from Prep to Year 12 across Far North Queensland and beyond.
With a strong focus on individualised learning, innovative teaching and student support, the school offers a diverse curriculum and works closely with families and home tutors to help every student achieve their potential.
Guided by its motto, Global Learning, the school is committed to creating positive learning opportunities for all students.
The successful applicant will, as HoD English Curriculum, play a vital role in:
- Leading the Years 7-12 English faculty, driving curriculum design, assessment and cross-curricular learning aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.0, QCAA requirements, school pedagogical frameworks and moderation practices.
- Demonstrating strong instructional leadership skills, with the ability to build teacher and staff capability through coaching, mentoring, feedback and professional learning.
- Driving improvement through the use of data to drive improvement and managing faculty resources and budgets effectively.
- Demonstrating a commitment to quality teaching and learning, with the ability to model exemplary practice and improve student outcomes through evidence-informed approaches.
- Leading and communicating a shared vision for excellence in English education and contribute positively to whole-school improvement priorities.
- Leading equity, inclusion and socially just practices, maintaining high expectations for both student achievement and staff performance.
- Exhibiting highly effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build partnerships across the school community and with external agencies.
- Providing strategic, future-focused leadership capabilities, including the ability to lead change, solve complex problems and achieve sustained improvement in a dynamic educational environment.
- Applying experience or demonstrated capability in leading teams and delivering high-quality learning in a distance education or digitally enabled learning environment.
The successful applicant will, as HoD Science Curriculum, play a vital role in:
- Leading the Years 7-12 Science Faculty, driving curriculum design, ensuring curriculum, assessment and cross-curricular learning aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.0, QCAA requirements, school pedagogical frameworks and moderation practices.
- Demonstrating strong instructional leadership skills, with the ability to build teacher and staff capability through coaching, mentoring, feedback and professional learning.
- Driving improvement through the use of data to drive improvement and managing faculty resources and budgets effectively.
- Applying strong Instructional Leadership, with a demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and build the capability of teachers and faculty staff to improve teaching practice and student achievement.
- Committing to equity, inclusion and socially just practices, maintaining high expectations for both student achievement and staff performance.
- Exhibiting highly effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build partnerships across the school community and with external agencies.
- Providing strategic, future-focused leadership capabilities, including the ability to lead change, solve complex problems and achieve sustained improvement in a dynamic educational environment.
- Applying experience or demonstrated capability in leading teams and delivering high-quality learning in a distance education or digitally enabled learning environment.
Interested? To Apply:
- Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history)
- Attach a 2-page written statement in response to 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.
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Applicant Information Package (PDF, 286KB)
Information Package for Applicants
FNR706645_26T Role Description (PDF, 273KB)
Role Description
