A dedicated and collaborative leader is sought to join our dynamic leadership team working across our Weipa Secondary Campus as the Head of Department for Semester 2 2026.

As the Head of Department (Retention and Year 7), you will take key responsibility for strengthening secondary transition, improve engagement and retention, and ensure high-quality curriculum delivery across Year 7,

Western Cape College Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Program (ILN), and IQCE as well as manage the activities of students and teachers in line with the College's vision and values.

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!

Job details

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 the Western Cape College

The Western Cape College is a unique state school with two campuses located in Mapoon (P-6), and Weipa (P-12), as well as a secondary residential facility also located in Weipa. Each Campus is set in its own amazing cultural, social and geographical environment, spread over a vast area of the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland.

As the largest P-12 school in the Cape, we have an important role to play in supporting and continuing to lead innovative practices with Indigenous and Remote Education. Western Cape College captures our values as four pillars that guide our everyday work, strategic decisions and service delivery -

• Connection
• Wellbeing
• Learning
• Leading

Relocation expenses may be negotiated with the successful applicant. Subsidised departmental accommodation is available for eligible applicants and remote incentives apply.

For more information about working at Western Cape College, check out our website

Additionally, to experience everything Weipa has to offer, we encourage interested applicants to view the following You Tube clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh4GtO8eOjc

The Position:

The Head of Department - Year 7 and Retention provides strategic and operational leadership to strengthen secondary transition, improve engagement and retention, and ensure high-quality curriculum delivery across Year 7, ILN and IQCE. The role oversees alignment of Australian Curriculum, VET and QCAA pathways, and leads the Secondary Reading Intervention program to support targeted student progress.

Through effective leadership, coaching and case management, the Head of Department builds staff capability, enhances teaching and learning, and drives inclusive, evidence-based practices that support student success and the College's improvement agenda.

Your Role

You will have responsibility for leading the following activities and delivery of the following key tasks:

1. Lead the Year 7, ILN and IQCE teams to deliver a coherent, inclusive vision focused on engagement, transition success and improved learning outcomes.
2. Oversee curriculum planning and alignment across Australian Curriculum, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and QCAA pathways to ensure quality teaching and compliant program delivery.
3. Manage staff, timetabling, resources and faculty operations to enable effective teaching, learning and wellbeing practices across Year 7 and supported programs.
4. Strengthen transition processes for students entering secondary schooling, ensuring families are engaged and supported throughout the transition experience.
5. Lead the Secondary Reading Intervention program (Years 7–12), ensuring targeted students receive high-impact, evidence-based intervention and progress monitoring.
6. Build staff capability through coaching, mentoring, collaborative planning and feedback cycles that promote high-quality pedagogy and consistent practice.

Teaching Load:

Timetabled teaching responsibility of up to 10 blocks is a component of this role

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 1 page written response outlining your suitability for the role referring to the key capabilities under "How you will be assessed" section in the attached role description.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role 

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
  
  FNR689027_26T Role Description (PDF, 253KB)
  Role Description