Marcus Thomson
Sora Community Services
Tamworth,NSW
10
years of professional experience
I am a dedicated and experienced education and community services professional with a strong commitment to supporting children, young people, and families to achieve positive outcomes. As a qualified teacher with a Master's degree, I have developed extensive expertise across education, youth development, child and family services, and program leadership.
My career has included leading a Clontarf Foundation Academy, where I worked to improve educational engagement, wellbeing, leadership, and employment pathways for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. For the past two years, I have served as Coordinator of the Children's Contact Service, overseeing the delivery of safe, child-focused contact arrangements while collaborating closely with families, legal professionals, and community stakeholders.
Throughout my career, I have been actively involved in the development and delivery of a broad range of programs across the Tamworth region, building strong partnerships and leading initiatives that promote safety, inclusion, resilience, and community participation. I am recognised for my strategic leadership, sound judgement, and ability to build meaningful relationships that deliver lasting outcomes for children, young people, families, and the wider community.
Work History
Coordinator of the Children's Contact Service
2 Years 2 Months- Coordinate and oversee supervised visits and changeovers to ensure children can maintain safe relationships with parents and family members.
- Manage referrals, intake assessments, risk assessments, and service planning in accordance with court orders and child safety requirements.
- Lead, supervise, and support Children's Contact Workers, ensuring high-quality, child-focused service delivery and compliance with organisational policies.
- Liaise with families, legal representatives, the courts, Department of Communities and Justice, and other stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and positive outcomes for children.
- Maintain accurate records, prepare reports, monitor service quality, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, funding agreements, and child protection standards.
Director of Gunnedah High School Clontarf
2 Years 2 Months- Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Academy, ensuring programs align with the Clontarf Foundation's mission to improve education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment outcomes.
- Build positive, culturally safe relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men, providing mentoring, guidance, and individual support to encourage engagement and personal development.
- Work collaboratively with school leadership, teachers, families, employers, community organisations, and government agencies to support student attendance, behaviour, retention, and successful transitions.
- Develop and deliver educational, sporting, leadership, cultural, and employment programs that build resilience, confidence, and practical life skills.
- Monitor student attendance, academic progress, wellbeing, and employment pathways, maintaining accurate records and implementing strategies to improve participation and outcomes.
- Recruit, lead, mentor, and supervise Academy staff while fostering a high-performing, values-driven team culture.
Director of Oxley High School Clontarf
2 Years 11 Months- Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Academy, ensuring programs align with the Clontarf Foundation's mission to improve education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment outcomes.
- Build positive, culturally safe relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men, providing mentoring, guidance, and individual support to encourage engagement and personal development.
- Establish partnerships with local businesses and training providers to create employment, work experience, apprenticeships, and further education opportunities for participants.
- Manage Academy budgets, resources, risk management, and reporting requirements, ensuring compliance with organisational policies and funding obligations.
- Represent the Clontarf Foundation within the local community, promoting the Academy's achievements and strengthening stakeholder engagement.
- Advocate for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, empowering them to achieve positive long-term educational, social, and employment outcomes.
Director of Quirindi High School Clontarf
1 Year 11 Months- Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Academy, ensuring programs align with the Clontarf Foundation's mission to improve education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment outcomes.
- Build positive, culturally safe relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men, providing mentoring, guidance, and individual support to encourage engagement and personal development.
- Work collaboratively with school leadership, teachers, families, employers, community organisations, and government agencies to support student attendance, behaviour, retention, and successful transitions.
- Develop and deliver educational, sporting, leadership, cultural, and employment programs that build resilience, confidence, and practical life skills.
- Monitor student attendance, academic progress, wellbeing, and employment pathways, maintaining accurate records and implementing strategies to improve participation and outcomes.
- Recruit, lead, mentor, and supervise Academy staff while fostering a high-performing, values-driven team culture.
Education
Bachelor of PDHPE/Bachelor of Secondary - High School Teaching
Masters of Education
Skills
Trauma-informed practice
Working with vulnerable children and young people
Positive behaviour support
Crisis intervention
Case coordination and stakeholder engagement
Relationship building and mentoring
Understanding of child protection legislation and mandatory reporting requirements
Timeline
Coordinator of the Children's Contact Service
Sora Community Services
2024.06 - CurrentRead More
Director of Gunnedah High School Clontarf
Clontarf Foundation
2022.01 - 2024.03Read More
Director of Oxley High School Clontarf
Clontarf Foundation
2019.01 - 2021.12Read More
Director of Quirindi High School Clontarf
Clontarf Foundation
2017.01 - 2018.12Read More
University of New England
Masters of Education
Read More
University of Newcastle
Bachelor of PDHPE/Bachelor of Secondary from High School Teaching
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