We are seeking an innovative, passionate and highly collaborative Head of Department - Humanities to lead our dedicated team in delivering engaging, rigorous and inclusive learning experiences that inspire students to understand the world around them. As the Head of Department - Humanities, you will be responsible for working with the Leadership and Management Team to enact the school's ongoing improvement agenda - Visible Learning, Visible Expertise and Visible Progress.

The successful applicant will significantly contribute to a high expectations school culture that is focused on continuous improvement to maximise each teacher and student's performance and potential. This is a temporary full-time position commencing 21 January 2027 until 25 June 2027, unless otherwise determined.

Job details

About Us

Brisbane State High students are surrounded by possibility and opportunity in many diverse areas of academia, sport, culture, international experience and community responsibility. This environment, coupled with high performance expectations and personalised attention, has led to an unparalleled record of success by our students. The school has a strong direction underpinned by four core values—learning, excellence, respect and public education.

Our great strength is the partnerships we forge between students, staff, parents and the wider community. These partnerships enable us to build on the strengths of tradition and performance and to live out our values and our commitment to providing a world-class education for every student.

About the Role

A key component of this role is building positive and productive partnerships to ensure that students experience curriculum and learning experiences that allow them to reach their personal best. This will be achieved through proactively and collaboratively working with the school's leadership team to build a faculty that lives the State High values of Learning, Excellence, Respect and Public Education.

This work will be delivered through your collaborative processes that build a mindsets of visible progress, expertise and culture. Working as part of the school's leadership team you will be instrumental in developing mindsets, pedagogical practices and curriculum knowledge of teachers within your faculty. A key part of your success will be your ability to develop and nurture positive working relationships with, and between, students, parents and staff in a large and complex school community.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Provide strategic and instructional leadership by developing and implementing a shared vision for the department that prioritises high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for all students.
• Promote an inclusive, equitable and high-performing culture by embedding socially just practices, fostering positive relationships, and setting high expectations for student and staff achievement.
• Lead future-focused improvement and professional growth through strategic planning, innovation, collaboration, lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
• Build strong partnerships and community connections with students, parents, government agencies and community groups to enhance student engagement, wellbeing and learning outcomes.
• Manage departmental operations and resources effectively by applying relevant legislation and policies and strategically managing staff, finances, facilities and curriculum resources to achieve departmental and whole-school goals.

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

How to apply

• Please submit a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history); and
• A 2-page written statement in response to 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.

• MSR701797_26T - Role Description (PDF, 270KB)
  Role Description
  
  Application Information Package (PDF, 285KB)
  Information Package for Applicants