We are seeking a Head of Department — Junior School will play a key leadership role in strengthening the conditions that allow junior secondary students to thrive. The role will focus on two connected priorities: systematising attendance monitoring and improvement, and building a school culture grounded in care, conviction and consistent high expectations.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who can work operationally and strategically. The successful applicant will lead clear routines, use data intelligently, build staff capability, and ensure that students showing early signs of disengagement are identified, supported and case-managed before patterns become entrenched.

Job details

About Us:

At Keebra Park you will be part of a thriving learning community where you will be inspired to achieve success and perform to your potential. You will thrive and succeed.

Keebra is not like other schools. Did you know that some of the largest Gold Coast high schools enrol over 2000 students, which is close to 350 students per year level? Our smaller school community of just over 1000 students offers a personalised academic environment. This allows us to invest in all of our students to develop their interests, strengths and career aspirations.

At Keebra Park you are visible. You are not another face. With 97% of parents saying, “I would recommend this school to others”, we know our families and students get the personal attention they deserve to gain the best schooling experience. Together we thrive and succeed

About the Role:

The Head of Department — Junior School will lead a focused junior secondary improvement agenda centred on attendance, engagement, belonging and consistent high expectations. This role will strengthen school-wide attendance systems, sharpen early identification and intervention, and build a culture where students are known, supported and held to account.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to;

• Establish reliable junior school attendance monitoring processes and regular data conversations
• Lead early identification and intervention for students below attendance benchmarks
• Support consistent behaviour and engagement responses across the junior school
• Contribute to targeted student support dashboards and case-management processes
• Build practical systems that make it easier for staff to respond consistently and effectively
• Provide clear leadership that balances care for students with firm expectations for attendance, behaviour and learning

Highly desirable skills and experience:

• Data-literate and able to turn attendance and behaviour data into action
• Relationally strong, with the ability to work productively with students, staff, families and community partners
• Consistent, organised and follow-through focused
• Confident in setting and maintaining high expectations
• Able to support staff while also driving accountability
• Committed to equity, belonging and improved outcomes for all junior secondary students
• Strategic enough to build systems, but practical enough to make them work every day

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 response to the “How you will be assessed” section of 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.

• SER693758_26T - Role Description (PDF, 272KB)
  Role Description
  
  Applicant Information Package (PDF, 287KB)
  Information Package for Applicants