Ian Mackie - Head of Campus Aurukun

Personal

I have had a far from traditional journey in my Career to this point. Highlights have been,

• Science Maths Teaching in Central Queensland
• Associate Administration Roles
• Small farming operations
• President Queensland Teachers Union
• Vice President Australian Education Union
• Delegate to World Assemblies of Teachers
• ACTU Q Executive Member
• Board Member various Super funds and Lotteries Corporation
• Principal Policy Advisor Indigenous Education Queensland
• Executive Director Premiers Department Community Engagement
• Ombudsman for Training Queensland
• Principal REDinC Consultancies
• Head of Campus Aurukun WCC

Current Role

I am the eyes and ears, arms and legs of Education Queensland in Aurukun.

While I have a day to day operational role with the Campus, my key role is negotiation and engagement with community and other agencies to dramatically improve educational and life opportunities for and with the people of Aurukun. I am more than ably supported by Andrew Shaw as the deputy head of campus who focuses on key operational issues and leads an excellent teaching team.

Key Issues on the Agenda

School Transitions

I have a key leadership role in the area of out of community placement for further education, employment or other positive life experiences.

School Attendance

I am focussed on an action research model to improve school attendance. Currently we have a large range of community based attendance strategies. Year on year we are experiencing a 20% increase in real attendance. I feel a great obligation to lead thinking and research into attendance across Community schools.

School Leadership

A big issue for remote schools is succession, mentoring, talent identification. I am currently working on HR and IR models that ensure quality ongoing leadership in Schools.

Community Engagement

Educational outcomes will not improve until Community attitudes and behaviours change. We have worked too hard on opportunity development and not hard enough on aspiration development. Children have to learn to �want�. Aspiration development and community engagement are key elements of my role.