Are you passionate about leveraging the strengths of communities, families, and cross-agency collaborations to improve the lives of young people?

Are you an experienced school leader with the ability to deliver positive education outcomes and foster strong community partnerships in complex contexts?

Bwgcolman Community School is seeking an experienced and passionate Principal for this unique leadership opportunity!

Located on Palm Island, on the traditional lands of the Manbarra people and the historical lands of the Bwgcolman people, our community has strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural identity and connection to Country, family, and place.
Situated within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Palm Island is accessible from Townsville and offers a unique island lifestyle with essential services and strong community connection.

Job details

Your Opportunity

• Bwgcolman Community School is a Partnership Initiative (PI) school, receiving prioritised support and resourcing to provide locally responsible, flexible, integrated and tailored strategies co-designed with community.
• Under the current Partnership Initiative special purpose classification uplift, this substantive Level 5 role is temporarily remunerated at Level 7 until 22 January 2027.
• This uplift arrangement is intended to attract and retain school leaders who can drive improvements in learning and life outcomes through a system wide approach across Partnership Initiative schools and communities.
• Candidates able to commit to a minimum three-year tenure in the role and community will be highly regarded, supporting sustained impact and continuity of leadership. 
• Successful leaders from interstate or Queensland non-state schooling will be offered permanent employment with the Queensland Department of Education.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Lead a high-performing team to deliver strong educational and wellbeing outcomes for Palm Island students.
• Demonstrate strategic, empathetic leadership in a complex and dynamic context.
• Strengthen cultural identity and build cultural capability across staff and leadership practice.
• Develop staff capability and foster strong, enduring community partnerships.
• Collaborate with community and external agencies to co-design solutions aligned with Equity and Excellence priorities.

Our School

Bwgcolman Community School is a Prep to Year 12 state school on Palm Island in North Queensland, serving around 370 students, including a State Delivered Kindergarten.

This is a leadership opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact - supporting students to maintain strong cultural identity while building the knowledge and skills to thrive in a global context. Respect, responsibility and safety underpin the school's culture.

Professional, financial and personal benefits, including:

• A competitive remuneration package commencing at Level 7 until 22 January 2027 (Stream 3, Level 7: $196,484–$199,956 per annum), along with eligibility for an annual retention bonus and additional benefits such as locality allowance, discretionary leave and a seven-week summer vacation.
• Accommodation support through subsidised departmental housing, relocation assistance, and travel and location benefits for partners and/or dependents.
• Access to a strong professional network of school leaders and regional advisors, along with ongoing local, regional and state-wide professional development opportunities.
• Detailed information about the Department's Recognition of Remote Service Scheme is available online.

To Apply

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should understand your relevant work history).
• Attach a written response (2-page maximum) in response to the attached Role Description.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory requirements outlined in the 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.

• Applicant Information Package (PDF, 232KB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  NQR685566_26P - Role Description (PDF, 324KB)
  Role Description