Head of Department

Head of Department ‑ Curriculum – Helensvale State High School Join to apply for the Head of Department – Curriculum role at Queensland Department of Education. Helensvale State High School is seeking an exceptional instructional leader with deep curriculum expertise and a passion for shaping whole‑school teaching and learning excellence. This role offers the opportunity to lead significant strategic work in curriculum while driving high expectations, belonging, and engagement within one of our dynamic Learning Communities. We are seeking a leader who is relentlessly focused on improving student learning outcomes, highly knowledgeable in curriculum design, assessment, and quality assurance, instructionally credible, visible, and influential, committed to building staff capability through coaching, collaboration, and clarity, and passionate about culture, belonging, and student success. Strategic Portfolio Responsibilities As a core member of the Teaching & Learning Team, the successful applicant will lead Helensvale SHS’s whole‑school curriculum agenda across Years 7‑10, ensuring a guaranteed, viable, rigorous curriculum for every student. Key responsibilities: Ensure full alignment to the K–12 Framework and a consistent pedagogical experience for students. Lead curriculum and assessment quality assurance processes across all faculties. Ensure every unit, assessment, and learning sequence aligns with content descriptors, achievement standards, and departmental expectations. Strengthen continuity of learning at major junctures, including the Year 6–7 transition. Embed the whole‑school moderation policy with a strong focus on evidence, reflection, and consistency at all four stages of the moderation cycle. Build teacher and leader capability in assessment literacy, backward mapping, and curriculum design. Develop a proposal for embedding, tracking, and monitoring SEL dimensions, general capabilities, and cross‑curriculum priorities across phases of learning. Lead the whole‑school approach to reading, ensuring alignment to pedagogical priorities and supporting universal, targeted, and intensive interventions. Learning Community Leadership Responsibilities In addition to the strategic curriculum portfolio, the HOD will lead one Learning Community, fostering a culture of high expectations, belonging, engagement, and pride. Key responsibilities include: Lead activities that strengthen student culture, positive relationships, and school pride, including events, competitions, celebrations, and high‑engagement activities. Work collaboratively with all Learning Community leaders to design and deliver high‑impact, whole‑school engagement programmes. Drive staff culture and wellbeing initiatives within the Learning Community, ensuring strong relationships, connected teams, and consistency of practice. Actively support and develop Learning Community Student Leaders to strengthen student voice, participation, and promote a thriving student culture. Lead assemblies, communication, reward structures, and initiatives that build identity, connection, and a positive learning environment. Be a highly visible and relational leader, engaged with students and staff in Learning Community spaces, at break times, and during key moments across the school day. Set and uphold high expectations for attendance, behaviour, engagement, and learning in partnership with Student Success Teachers. We Are Seeking a Leader Who Has outstanding curriculum expertise and a deep understanding of high‑quality teaching and learning. Models instructional credibility and is committed to coaching others. Strengthens systems, builds consistency, and brings clarity to complex curriculum work. Thrives in a collaborative, high‑expectation environment. Is passionate about student growth, wellbeing, and connection. Leads with positivity, integrity, presence, and compassion. Is an expert curriculum leader who wants to shape teaching and learning across a large, high‑performing secondary school. Interested? To Apply Attach a brief resume including contact details for two referees (referees should be familiar with your relevant work history). Include a written statement (maximum 2 pages) addressing Key Capabilities 1‑4 as per the Role Description “How you will be assessed” section. Attach a copy of the mandatory requirements outlined in 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr