POSITION TITLE: / Assistant Principal- Faith and Wellbeing
REPORTS TO: / The Principal
CLASSIFICATION: / As per the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement – Diocesan Schools of Queensland 2015-2019
AUTHORISATION: / Executive Director
CATHOLIC EDUCATION SERVICES – DIOCESE OF CAIRNS

Catholic Education Services – Diocese of Cairns (CES), consists of twenty-nine schools including twenty primary schools, two Prep to Year 12 Colleges and seven secondary Colleges which includes a Youth Assistance College with campuses in Cairns and Cooktown. All schools, except the dual campus Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Thursday Island and Hammond Island, Weipa and Holy Spirit College,Cooktown campus, are within a two hour drive of Cairns.

CES is committed to building communities of learning that provide a safe, nurturing and academically challenging environment for all students.

Leadership and strategic management of the system of schools is the responsibility of the ExecutiveDirector of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals the Executive Director manages andfacilitates a number of significant and particular delegations which include:

  • Support of the mission of the Church as delivered through Catholic Education
  • Support of schools by providing services that strengthen school capacity
  • Provision of leadership and forward planning to develop organisational capability
  • Distribution to schools of government allocated funds and their accountability
  • Monitoring of quality of schools and compliance/accountability with requirements of governments, Church and parents
  • Within limits, provision of some centralised, specialised student services, where this is the most effective and efficient approach

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The College Leadership Team comprises the Principal, Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching and the Assistant Principal (Faith and Wellbeing). The College Leadership Team is assisted by Pastoral and Curriculum Middle Leadership Teams. The Assistant Principal collaborates with the Principal and Deputy Principal in the strategic and operational leadership of all aspects of College life.

The College is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic Leadership Team member, with a commitment to Catholic Education and to the College’s vision of renewal and revitalisation in all aspects of college endeavours. The right person will contribute positively to the Leadership Team in taking the college forward on its exciting journey of renewal and revitalisation

SELECTION CRITERIA

•Be an active member of the Leadership Team and will demonstrate an open, flexible and creative approach, working to ensure that Good Counsel College values, goals and Mission Statement are reflected in practice across the College and are promoted in our wider community;

  • Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team and staff to promote and enhance the Catholic identity and Marist ethos of the College and ensures that all College practices and procedures reflect the Vision, Mission and Values of the college;
  • The successful applicant will provide leadership in the delivery of the College’s Positive Behaviour Framework and other student and staff wellbeing processes;
  • Be committed to a personal faith journey, support the Marist ethos of the College and give witness to the teaching of the Gospel and Catholic values in day–to-day interactions with staff, students and members of the College community;

•Have experience in a leadership position in a school setting or similar, preferably in the areas of faith development and wellbeing programs;

•Be able to enrich the religious life of the College through engaging celebrations, liturgies, masses, retreats, reflections days and the spiritual formation of staff;

•Be able to provide curriculum and pedagogical leadership and support to the College’s Religious Education Curriculum Leaders;

•Be able to enrich and review the College’s pastoral care and wellbeing practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Typical duties performed may include, but are not limited to:

1.FAITH LEADERSHIP

To share in the essential Mission of the Church as a leader within the school Faith community, the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

  • promotes Catholic identity, culture, gospel values, evangelization, faith education, liturgy and prayer, with particular responsibility for:
  • Coordinating opportunities for liturgical and prayer celebrations
  • Coordinating school retreats (staff and student)
  • Liaising with Parish Priest in relation to school Masses, class liturgies, student and staff retreats, staff prayer and school sacramental program
  • Encouraging and facilitating parental participation in the prayer/liturgical life of the school
  • Supporting teachers in preparing school prayer and liturgies
  • demonstrates active pastoral engagement, sacramental participation and leadership in the life of the Church within the school community
  • supports the standards of Religious Education in the school in accordance with Diocesan guidelines, Parish policies and the school’s Mission Statement, with particular responsibility for:
  • Overseeing an effective Religious Education Program based on Diocesan guidelines
  • Supporting the College’s Religious Education Curriculum Leaders in their planning, teaching, assessing and reporting the Religious Education Program
  • Assisting staff in gaining and maintaining accreditation requirements
  • Maintaining teacher accreditation records
  • Managing the Religious Education resources and budget
  • Providing advice and support for teachers on Church teaching in matters of faith and morals
  • Promoting parental understanding of the Religious Education program
  • Liaising with Parish Priest with reference to Religious Education curriculum and classroom support
  • fosters within the College an environment based on the Marist values of Family Spirit, Presence, Simplicity, Love of Work and In the Way of Mary;
  • supports and promotes the role of the Bishop as the prime leader of pastoral and educational vision in the Diocese;
  • nurtures partnerships with Parish, Deanery, Diocesan communities and Church agencies;
  • takes responsibility for one’s own spiritual development.

2.eDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

To support learning and teaching with particular responsibility for Religious Education the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

  • provides positive leadership as the College endeavours to fulfil its educational mission;
  • uses relevant data to review and renew religious education in response to changing needs and contexts;
  • supports the development of a contemporary, holistic, inclusive high quality curriculum with effective pedagogy.

3.STAFF LEADERSHIp

To develop self and others with particular responsibility for Religious Education the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

  • demonstrates the personal ability to be:
  • a highly capable person who makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skills and good work habits;
  • a contributing team member who contributes individual capabilities to the achievement of group objectives;
  • a competent manager who organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives;
  • an effective leader who supports the Principal and leadership team in uniting staff support behind the school vision articulated in the school’s Mission Statement;
  • a leader who is able to listen and to lead through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will;
  • provides effective supervision of staff;
  • oversees formation of staff professionally, pastorally and spiritually according to appraisal outcomes and School Annual Improvement Plan;
  • supports the Professional Development of staff;
  • develops and maintain positive, professional relationships;
  • affirms best practice and challenges practices that are not consistent with school philosophy and ethos;
  • supports effective staff performance and review processes.

4.ORGANIsATIONAL LEADERSHIP

To support the Principal in the management of the school the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

  • presents a positive image of the school in all communication and interactions with parents, caregivers, colleagues and the local community;
  • critically reflects on personal performance and shows a commitment to own ongoing learning in order to improve performance;
  • articulates and models ethical behaviour in all professional communication and relationships;
  • maintains good communication processes with staff and between staff and members of the Leadership team;
  • maintains a consultative approach in relation to responsibilities and the work of teams;
  • actively supports and contributes to the work of the Leadership and Middle Leadership teams in a manner that supports school goals;
  • develops annual plans for curriculum that are reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis to meet changing needs;
  • ensures the provision of adequate resources for learning and teaching by contributing to annual budget processes with the Leadership Team;
  • participates as fully as possible in the spiritual, cultural and social life of the college;
  • assists with organising staff meetings and College Assemblies and significant College events;
  • assists the College Leadership Team through participation in decision-making including the development of policy and overall curriculum planning and development.

5.COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

To engage and work with the community with particular responsibility for Religious Education and the parish community the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

•shares in the task of promoting wellbeing within the College where all members are treated with dignity and respect;

•supports the Principal in actively seeking to build leadership capacity which embodies critical reflection and continuous growth in professional practice;

•develops, implements, and maintains appropriate channels of communications at all levels of the College and the local community;

•supports pastoral care and behaviour support programs which build a positive culture within the school community;

•works with staff to build a collaborative learning culture that infuses a religious dimension across the curriculum.

6.Strategic Leadership

To lead improvement, innovation and change as determined by the Principal the Assistant Principal (Faith & Wellbeing):

•shares responsibility for College strategic planning and the continued implementation of the priorities established through the School Annual Improvement Plan;

•works with the Principal and Leadership Team in establishing, implementing and reviewing the School’s strategic directions, providing a particular focus on the religious dimension of the school;

  • grows a culture of respect for Religious Education, faith development and social action.

GENUINE OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour
  • Ability to cope with and regulate own emotions and behaviour effectively
  • Ability to comply with legislation and professional regulations to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
  • Ability to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality
  • Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing to meet necessary standards with respect to clarity, accuracy and professionalism appropriate to the position
  • Ability to locate appropriate and relevant information from multiple sources andconvey, integrate and implement knowledge in practice
  • Ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks with competing timelines
  • Ability to accept responsibility for own work
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications, Google Apps and iPads necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills and tasks
  • Competent useof digital technologies necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills and tasks
  • Accountable and responsible for creating a positive workplace culture and reducing the risks to physical and mental health in the workplace

Physical requirements of the position:

  • Work is normally performed in a typical interior office and/or classroom environment
  • Work may be performed in an outdoors environment and may involve exposure to elements such as weather (sun/wind/rain), dust, dirt, fumes and/or loud noises
  • Manoeuvring within the school environment appropriate to the position
  • Driving of a motor vehicle
  • Frequent use of telecommunication and electronic equipment
  • Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that requires following safety precautions and may involve the use of protective equipment

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
  • Participation in and commitment to the sacramental life of the Church
  • Understanding and commitment to education in the Catholic tradition
  • Professional qualifications in Education and Religion as per Queensland Catholic Education Commission Position Statement for Senior Leadership Positions in Catholic Schools in Queensland
  • Successful teaching experience including religious education
  • Leadership experience:
  • Demonstrated ability in religious and education leadership
  • Demonstrated administrative ability
  • Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships
  • Demonstrated ability in curriculum development including knowledge of contemporary educational issues at state and national levels with particular reference to Religious Education
  • Written and verbal communication skills of a high order
  • Demonstrated commitment to the Pastoral Care of members of the school community
  • Skills for building community including facilitation, delegation and consultation
  • Professional qualifications in Education
  • Registered or eligible to register with Queensland College of Teachers
  • Current drivers licence
  • A strong demonstrated commitment to the objectives, vision and ethos of Catholic Education

RELATED DOCUMENTS
  • Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement – Diocesan Schools of Queensland 2015-2019
  • Senior Leadership positions in Catholic Schools in Queensland 2015 (QCEC Policy)
  • Code of Conduct for Employees of Catholic Education
  • Statement of Principles for Employment in Catholic Education

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The incumbent will need:

  • An in-depth understanding of and commitment to the mission and objectives of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Cairns
  • A sound working knowledge of the Catholic Education context and an appreciation for Catholic Education issues.

EMPLOYEE ACCEPTANCE

The employee’s signature signifies an understanding and acceptance that the content contained herein and forms an integral part of their employment terms and conditions.

I have read and acknowledge receipt of this Position Description:

Employee Name:
Signature: / Date:
Document Name: / Position Description Template / Document Number: / HRPD 10 / Issue Number: / 2 / Issue Date: / 11/07/2016 / Reviewed Date: / 20/09/2016