Head of Department - Student Services (H01) - Mornington Island State School

Kuba waga kilmu - Hello everybody!

Mornington Island State School is offering the opportunity for an exceptional and highly relational leader to join our leadership team as Head of Department - Student Services. This is a temporary full-time role until the end of term 4, 2027.

Who we are

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 providing leadership and guidance for the implementation of innovative measures aimed at improving student learning outcomes and attendance in schools where a significant percentage of students may have a disadvantaged background, ensuring quality learning outcomes for all students.

Working alongside the Principal and Deputy Principals the Head of Department - Student Services will lead the development and implementation of systems that ensure every student is actively engaged in learning and supported to thrive.

The successful applicant will:

• Provide management and engagement strategies including induction activities of new arrivals, and advise on specific academic, social and emotional needs of new arrivals.
• Monitor students' individual performance and behaviour and develop and implement intervention strategies where necessary.
• Communicate and work with parents, staff, higher education institutes and State Schools Division to develop strategies to improve learning outcomes, student achievements and attendance.

As the successful applicant you will have:

• Deep knowledge of positive behaviour support, trauma-informed practice, and student support 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

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.