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


North Queensland Region, School and Regional Operations and Performance Division

Kuba waga kilmu - Hello everybody!

Mornington Island State School is seeking an exceptional and highly relational leader to join the leadership team as Head of Wellbeing.

This newly created role is a temporary position through to the end of Term 4, 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Apply now to lead and strengthen wellbeing outcomes in a unique and connected school community.

Job details

Position status Fixed Term Temporary
Position type Full-time
Occupational group Education & Training
Classification Stream 2 /HO1
Workplace Location North West Qld
Job ad reference QLD/NQR685231/26T
Closing date 11-Apr-2026
Job duration Until 11 Dec 2026 unless otherwise determined
Contact person Sandi Ambler
Contact details 0455 480 292
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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.

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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Inclusion and diversity

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity, including making any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process.

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Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0)
Last updated
2 May 2023

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