About Studio Schools of Australia Ltd
Studio Schools of Australia (SSA) was established in 2019 to bring about a “system” level change in secondary education for Indigenous students in remote communities across northern Australia. This “system level” reform is based on well-established evidence of what works for Indigenous students, their families and communities, in a scalable, proven work-related model of education introduced at the Yiramalay / Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley, Western Australia, in 2010.
SSA’s mission is to enable Indigenous students to lead their own advancement and to take a valuable and meaningful place in their own communities and within Australia.
SSA is committed to being a child safe environment, and we actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students. All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment.
Overview
This role ensures the day-to-day operation of the residential program, providing high-quality pastoral care, mentorship, and supervision to residential students. The Senior Residential Mentor will lead residential mentor staff, uphold child safety standards, and foster a culturally safe, trauma-informed environment aligned with SSA’s mission.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal and organisational skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to build trusting relationships with Aboriginal youth. A deep understanding of adolescent development and cultural connection is essential to support students in a residential setting.
This is a full-time role which reports to the School Principal.
Key Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Team Coordination
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Act as the lead mentor for either the boys’ or girls’ residential cohort, overseeing daily operations and staff support.
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Mentor and guide residential staff, including performance feedback and shift coordination.
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Collaborate with the relevant stakeholders to implement policies, routines, and cultural programs.
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Manage residential budgets and resources for assigned cohort.
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Ensure compliance with national residential care standards and child protection policies.
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Lead regular events (e.g., cultural celebrations, Mob Meetings).
2. Pastoral Care & Student Wellbeing
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Provide 24/7 supervision, including overnight duty, with a trauma-informed approach.
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Establish gender-specific routines (e.g., wakeups, chores, study schedules) and promote personal development.
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Address homesickness, conflicts, or behavioural issues with cultural sensitivity.
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Support medical/health needs and liaise with wellbeing staff.
3. Residential Curriculum & Culture
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Implement the Residential Learning Curriculum for your cohort, integrating academic, life skills, and cultural content.
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Foster a positive, respectful living environment (e.g., room checks, community service tasks).
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Organise gender-specific activities (sports, arts, mentoring circles).
4. Safety & Compliance
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Report maintenance issues and maintain student records (attendance, incidents).
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Enforce child protection policies and emergency procedures.
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Report maintenance issues and maintain student records (attendance, incidents).
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Conduct risk assessments for off-site activities (e.g., field trips).
5. Community & Collaboration
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Build relationships with students’ families and local Indigenous staff.
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Support cross-cultural initiatives (e.g., language programs, bush trips).
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Attend leadership meetings to represent cohort needs.
Skills & Capabilities
A. Essential:
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Proven experience in residential care, youth work, or Indigenous education.
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Leadership skills to guide staff and manage cohort operations.
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Resilience in remote settings and ability to de-escalate conflicts.
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Cultural competency and understanding of intergenerational trauma.
B. Desirable:
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Certifications in trauma-informed care, youth mental health, or First Nations studies.
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Experience in activity coordination (sports, arts, vocational training).
C. Cultural Considerations:
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SSA particularly welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates, recognising the importance of cultural knowledge and community connection in this role.
Employment
Due to Australian immigration regulations, applicants must have Australian work rights. We especially welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Applicants will be required to provide a current WA Working with Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check (NPC).
All appointments at Studio Schools of Australia are subject to child protection legislation and pre-employment screening.