Contract Date:  18 January 2027 to 18 January 2030 

Employment Type: Full Time, Fixed Term Leadership Position

This position holds a substantive permanent teaching position within Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns.

Salary Range: Graduate $86,600 - Proficient 4 $107,988 FTE gross per annum, plus applicable Middle Leader Tier 3 allowance $19,535 gross per annum FTE OR Proficient 5 and above: $144,259 FTE gross per annum  

Closing Date for Applications:  9am, Monday 24 August 2026 

St Mary’s Catholic College is a co-education secondary collage that seeks to live Gospel values and empower students with Catholic moral principles. St Mary’s strives to make a difference in the lives of individuals and in the wider community by challenging students to find meaning and value in their lives. The College’s values include pastoral care practices, commitment to peace, social justice and service.

The role of the Head of Department is to support the mission of the school through leadership of the learning and teaching program.  This involves developing appropriate curriculum in line with national, state and local requirements; ensuring that appropriate pedagogies are developed and implemented at all levels; ensuring the quality of student learning and the effectiveness of teacher practice through appropriate supervision; utilising thorough analysis of current data to inform decisions; developing appropriate partnerships within and outside of the school; and prudently administering available resources.

The Head of Department will report to and brief the Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning on a regular basis. The person will work closely to ensure that every teacher pursues a shared vision of teaching excellence encompassing peer collaboration, classroom visits, shared practice, dialogue and feedback.

Typical duties performed may include, but are not limited to:

• To work with the College Leadership Team to link professional learning to Strategic Directions.
• To meet with all staff to identify professional development needs.
• To lead awareness of current expertise and thinking about excellence in teaching.
• To ensure teachers know, value and implement the behaviours of effective pedagogy.
• To work collaboratively with the Deputy Principal and the Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning and Staff to coordinate peer observations and classroom visits.
• To create a climate of professional dialogue around teacher effectiveness, feedback and Precision in Practice goals.
• To model observable professional behaviour that supports professional learning.
• To work closely with E-Learning Leaders to develop a Professional Learning Strategy that encompasses a digital technology integration program of short skills-based activities, small group mentoring, online modules and action research; include training needs to Administration staff.
• To promote opportunity for student voice to influence Staff Professional Learning and practice.
• To attend TLT/PLT meetings and as directed by the Principal.

For further information, please download the Position Description:  ML - Head of Department.pdf

• Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading
• 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• Access to salary packaging options to maximise your salary 
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service (portability of Long Service Leave may also be applicable)
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Passport Membership Available

To Apply

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