The Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga is located within Wiradjuri country in the Riverina and Yorta Yorta country in the southwestern district of New South Wales. The Diocese covers a large part of rural NSW.
Bishop Mark Edwards OMI PhD was appointed Bishop of Wagga Wagga and installed on 22 July 2020.
Catholic Education, Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW) serves twenty-five primary schools and five secondary colleges. There are two Boarding facilities for students. This System of schools has around 8,500 students and employs about 1600 staff. CEDWW comprises 60 – 70 Office based staff. Their role is to be a service organisation for schools.
Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga is united in the belief that Jesus Christ, our greatest teacher, calls us to share in His mission and witness to our faith, build inclusive, caring, Christ-centred communities and deliver contemporary learning opportunities so that all may flourish. These actions address the dual moral purpose of Catholic identity and student learning.
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga exist to educate and form young people in Catholic discipleship. Catholic schools have a religious purpose and a religious life. Our schools share a common purpose to educate and form students as followers or missionary disciples of Jesus.
Living in Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales and is well connected by air, rail or road. With a population of over 64,000; Wagga Wagga has a proud sporting history and a strong cultural and artistic community.
The hub of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga is vibrant, cosmopolitan and welcoming; there is great natural beauty, period architecture, great shopping and affordable housing. Located mid-way between Sydney and Melbourne and only 2.5 road hours to Canberra, Wagga Wagga has become a natural transport hub for regional NSW.
Wagga Wagga’s current health service redevelopment is the largest single investment in any NSW regional health service. This work highlights the current scale and future needs of a growing city.
Further Information
Additional details on the Diocese and Catholic Education, including crucial information such as Vision and Mission, can be viewed by visiting:
The Diocese – https://www.wagga.catholic.org.au/Our-Bishop.aspx
Catholic Education in the Diocese – https://ww.catholic.edu.au/
Position Overview
Position Title: Head of Catholic Identity & Mission
Reports to: Director of Education
Position Purpose
The role of Head of Catholic Identity & Mission is a senior leadership position in Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW).
The key purpose of this position is to provide leadership, strategic oversight of, and support for the Catholic Identity and Mission in all school settings in the Wagga Diocese in accordance with the CEDWW Strategic Improvement Plan and Policies.
As a senior leader in CEDWW the Head of Catholic Identity and Mission is a member of the Leadership Team Management Team for the diocese and as such, is co-responsible with the Bishop, Pastors, Principals, Assistant Principals and other Catholic lay leaders, in the name of the Church, for the mission of the Church in evangelisation and catechesis within an educational context.
A full position description will be provided at a later stage in this project.
Key Relationships
This role is a member of the Leadership Management Team. The position leads a team of 5.
The role requires significant and ongoing liaison with:
- Principals, REC’s, Mission Leaders
- Parish Priests and Lay Parish Leaders (e.g. Pastoral Associates, Sacramental Coordinators, Parish Youth Ministers)
- Staff in CEDWW, including the Director & Senior Colleagues.
An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.
Location and Travel
This role will be based within the Catholic Schools Office located in McAlroy House, 205 Tarcutta Street, Wagga Wagga.
Given the geographic spread of the Diocese combined with the need for the Head of Catholic Identity & Mission to be visible in schools as well as involved in wider forums, regular travel is required.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration package for this role will be discussed as we progress through this recruitment project.
- Relocation support (up to the value of $5,000) will be negotiated/provided for the successful applicant, if required.
- This is an ongoing appointment.
- The successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.
- A current “C” Class Drivers Licence.
- A NESA approved undergraduate degree in Education, with accreditation at Proficient Teacher level or higher against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
- Accreditation for Senior Leadership in a Catholic School (Category E)
- Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in systemic Catholic schools Diocese of Wagga.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- A Catholic with an ongoing commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church and engagement in the life of a Catholic faith community.
- A strong commitment to the evangelising and educational Mission of the Church and the ability to give leadership to the Catholic life of schools.
- Organisational, management and leadership skills with at least 8 years of experience as an effective school leader in Religious Education.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to contribute to a culture of ongoing growth and improvement for key stakeholders, including Principals, REC’s, teachers and students.
- High level interpersonal and influencing skills to effectively collaborate, delegate and team build.
- Recent, significant professional development and postgraduate qualifications in Religious Education and/or Theology from an approved institution.
Are You Interested in This Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1456. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact (mobile) telephone number.
If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our job alerts.
Questions can be directed to either (a) Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email to jobs@traksearch.com.
The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
The Selection Process
Key dates as follows:
| Date of project launch/advertising | By Friday 18th June |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Fri 9th July |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 19th July |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Mon 26th July or 2nd August |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
- Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for your confidential enquiries. They will also provide a range of additional information to allow you to explore how this opportunity aligns with your expectations and interests.
- Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the CEDWW schedule.
- We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Catholic Priest referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Director or her nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
- To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.
You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.
