EOI - Head of Department - Student Engagement - Nerang State High School

We are seeking a leader who will know their students, know their data, know their people and take purposeful action to ensure that students in Years 9 and 10 are engaged, successful and prepared for their future. The successful applicant will be an influential member of the Nerang State High School leadership team who contributes to a culture where Every Student Succeeds, Every Teacher Inspires and Every Day is Engaging. This is a temporary full-time position until 25 March 2027, unless otherwise determined.

This temporary vacancy is open to Expressions of Interest and any extensions to this appointment will not exceed 12 months.

About Us:

Nerang State High School is a co-educational, non-selective, public school for students from 12 to 17 years of age. The school is centrally located on the Gold Coast and has a current enrolment of over 1000 students.

Nerang State High School offers a breadth of curriculum to cater for both tertiary and vocational pathways, including our Academic Excellence, Quality Arts, VET Trades, VET Sports and Volunteering programs. The school has three phases of education; Junior Secondary for students in Years 7 to 8, Middle Secondary for students in Years 9 to 10, and Senior Secondary for Years 11 to 12. The Junior and Middle curriculum is based on the Australian Curriculum eight key learning areas and is enhanced in Years 11 and 12 with a choice of over 30 QCAA General, Applied and Short-Course subjects, along with AQF vocational training certificates.

About the Role:

As the Head of Department – Middle School, the successful applicant will be a key member of the school leadership team, providing strategic leadership for the engagement, achievement, wellbeing and pathways of students in Years 9 and 10.

Working closely with the Deputy Principal – Middle School, Dean, Heads of Department, Guidance Officer, inclusion and wellbeing teams and classroom teachers, the successful applicant will have responsibility for, but not be limited to:

• Leading the Years 9 and 10 Phase of Learning, establishing high expectations for student achievement, engagement, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Tracking, monitoring and analysing student attendance, achievement, behaviour, engagement and wellbeing data to identify students at risk and coordinate timely responses and interventions.
• Working collaboratively with students, families, teachers, school leaders and external stakeholders to communicate concerns, develop support strategies and monitor student progress and outcomes.
• Leading a multi-tiered approach to student support, ensuring appropriate interventions are implemented, monitored and adjusted in response to student need.
• Supporting teachers to strengthen student engagement and classroom practice through coaching, walkthroughs, professional conversations and targeted support.
• Leading Middle School case management and contributing to the development and implementation of individual student support, behaviour and engagement plans.
• Working collaboratively as a integral member to enact Year 9 and 10 subject selection, SET/JET Plan and pathways processes, ensuring students are supported to make informed decisions about their future learning, vocational and career pathways.
• Supporting the transition of students from Year 10 into Senior Secondary, working collaboratively with students, families and staff to ensure appropriate pathways and successful transitions.

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to Every Student Succeeds and high expectations for all students.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead a phase of learning and bring staff together around a clear and shared purpose.
• Strong knowledge of effective teaching, learning, engagement, behaviour and wellbeing practices.
• Demonstrated ability to use data to identify need, determine priorities, implement action and monitor impact.
• The capacity to build strong, respectful and productive relationships with students, staff, families and external stakeholders.
• A collaborative leadership style that builds the capability, confidence and collective efficacy of others.

The ideal applicant will be a high-calibre, student-centred educational leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for young people and can lead with strategic clarity, relational strength and purpose.

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. 

Applicants need to be a current Queensland Government employee to be eligible to apply.