HEAD OF BOARDING HOUSE

Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia • Full-time
AI Job Summary
  • Experience in boarding, residential care, education, youth work, or similar responsibility for young people.
  • Ability to lead a team, establish consistent practice, and build a positive residential culture.
  • Current Working with Children Check, satisfactory National Police History Check, and valid First Aid certification.

Role Type

On-site • Contract • Full-time • Mid-level Senior

Description

Lead with purpose and create your impact 

Great Southern Grammar is expanding its boarding community and preparing to open an additional boarding House in 2027. This is a pivotal opportunity to help build a safe, connected and purposeful residential culture from the beginning – a House that is well run and genuinely feels like home. Reporting to the Director of Boarding – Junior, this position resides on-site and directly manages a junior co-ed House.

The opportunity 

  • Lead the culture, care and day-to-day operation of an allocated House as led by the Directors of Boarding and wider School team. 
  • Create consistent pastoral care, routines, expectations and boundaries so boarders feel known, respected and able to thrive. 
  • Lead, support and coordinate boarding supervisors and other residential staff, promoting clear handovers and consistent practice. 
  • Work in partnership with families, academic and pastoral staff, health and wellbeing personnel and boarding leaders. 
  • Maintain accurate records, follow child-safety and operational procedures and respond calmly to incidents and after-hours matters. 
  • Help establish the practical systems, traditions and sense of belonging of the new house. 
  • This is an onsite, live-in opportunity with School-provided accommodation, offering the successful candidate the chance to become a visible, trusted and valued presence within our boarding community. 

What you will bring 

  • Experience in boarding, residential care, education, youth work, community services or another setting involving responsibility for young people. 
  • The ability to lead a team, establish consistent practice and build a positive residential culture. 
  • A sound understanding of adolescent development, wellbeing, professional boundaries and trauma-aware, culturally responsive care. 
  • Calm judgement, resilience and confidence managing competing needs and responding appropriately to incidents or concerns. 
  • Strong organisation, record-keeping and digital skills, with clear and respectful communication across students, staff and families. 
  • A current Working with Children Check, satisfactory National Police History Check, valid First Aid certification and appropriate Australian work rights, or capacity to satisfy these requirements. 

A relevant qualification in education, boarding, youth work, community services, counselling or a related field will be highly regarded. 

The Head of Boarding House role includes regular evenings and weekends and may include overnight or on-call coverage. Final hours, roster, commencement and the accommodation component will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

What we value in our leaders 

  • Visible, values-led leadership and a genuine commitment to student safety, wellbeing, growth and belonging. 
  • The ability to build trust, set clear expectations and bring people together around shared purpose and consistent practice. 
  • Strong judgement, communication and follow-through, with the humility to listen, learn and work collaboratively. 

Why join Great Southern Grammar? 

  • A welcoming, values-driven and student-focused professional community. 
  • Professional learning, coaching and development opportunities relevant to the appointment. 
  • Salary-packaging options, a deferred salary scheme, staff tuition-fee discounts and an Employee Assistance Program, subject to eligibility and School arrangements. 
  • A spacious waterfront campus, onsite parking and the lifestyle opportunities of Albany and the Great Southern Region. 

About Great Southern Grammar 

Great Southern Grammar is a vibrant independent Christian co-educational day and boarding school for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Grounded in Christian values and guided by our vision to Create YOUR impact, our community is shaped by Respect, Integrity, Courage and Compassion. Our 144-acre campus adjoins Oyster Harbour in Albany, creating a distinctive place to work, learn and belong. 

How to apply 

  • Click on Apply Now.
  • Include an up-to-date CV and a concise cover letter outlining the leadership role for which you are applying, relevant experience, an example of leadership impact and your approach to building a safe, purposeful and collaborative culture. 
  • Applications close: 4.00pm AWST Sunday 6 September 2026. 

Questions

For questions specific to the role please contact the Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary, Mr Jordan Owenell via email jordan.owenell@gsg.wa.edu.au or telephone 0401 080 609.

Our commitment 

Great Southern Grammar is an equal opportunity employer and is fully committed to protecting children and maintaining a child-safe environment. Successful applicants must satisfy child-protection screening, adhere to the School’s child-protection policies and comply with relevant laws and regulations. Applicants must be Australian citizens or hold a current visa that permits them to work in Australia. 

Company Overview

Great Southern Grammar is a vibrant independent Christian co-educational day and boarding school for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year Twelve. We are located on 144 acres (58ha) adjoining the picturesque Oyster Harbour in Albany. All Great Southern graduates are beacons of light in the world having a positive, lasting impact in their communities for the common good. Our vision is: Create YOUR impact. All students experience success and become to know their important place in the world.

Position Description