The Diocese of Armidale covers a significant portion of the North West region of NSW.  Chris Smyth has been the Director of Schools for the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) since 2015 and has led significant cultural change to improve student faith and learning outcomes. The schools in the Diocese of Armidale are building professional learning communities in a Catholic context as a vehicle for school improvement.

The CSO Diocese of Armidale administers 24 schools: 19 primary, two central and three secondary schools. With approximately 1,000 employees in teaching and non-teaching roles, the CSO supports school communities who provide learning for almost 6,000 students across the Diocese. O’Connor Catholic College is a part of this System of 24 Catholic schools.

O’Connor Catholic College Armidale

O’Connor Catholic College is a co-educational high school, from Years 7-12 which began in 1975 with the amalgamation of two of Armidale’s longest established schools; St Ursula’s College and De La Salle College.

With a population of around 500 students, O’Connor is committed to the vision of being a faith-filled community working collaboratively to enhance the learning for all, resulting in students who are creative, confident and informed people ready to make a difference in our world.

The staff at O’Connor are committed to creating learning opportunities for everyone. At O’Connor, learning encompasses faith learning, which is integral to the mission as a Catholic school; academic learning, so that every student achieves the best learning outcomes; and wellbeing and resilience skills, which are important for a healthy, balanced life.

Living in Armidale

O’Connor is located in Armidale, situated halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and only two hours from the coast. Armidale is a major city with a population of nearly 30,000 people, which rests high on the Northern Tablelands.

The Armidale region boasts spectacular gorges, world-heritage national parks, cool-climate vineyards and waterfalls including the Wollomombi Falls which are one of the highest in Australia. It is an ideal area for those who enjoy outdoor adventures including canyoning, mountain climbing, biking, bird watching or trout fishing. Galleries, museums, fine foods and a vibrant event calendar including festivals, music, theatre, markets, book fairs and major sporting events guarantee an experience suitable for all ages.

Armidale is rich in heritage with grand cathedrals, colonial buildings and is home to the University of New England.

Further Information

For further information on the school, please visit http://www.oconnor.nsw.edu.au/

You can also access another video for O’Connor Catholic College on Facebook by clicking here.

We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.

Position Overview

Position Title: Principal

Reports to: Consultant: School Performance through to the Director of Schools.

Position Purpose

The Principal is the religious, educational and organisational leader of a Catholic School within the Diocese of Armidale. The Principal provides leadership and exercises prudential stewardship of the Catholic School. The Principal is ultimately responsible for the Catholic identity and ethos, curriculum and effective management of the school.

At a later stage in this project you will be provided a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Commencement

The start date for this position is negotiable, although it is anticipated that the new Principal will commence for the start of the 2024 school year.

College Community

O’Connor Catholic College is located in Armidale at 39 Kirkwood Street. It is part of the Sts Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish which serves the communities of Armidale, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha, from which the College families are drawn. The current parish priest, Father Roel J Llave, is involved in the life of the College.

Conditions of Employment

• Salary and Conditions are negotiable and will be discussed as we progress through this recruitment project. The package will not be limited to a formula based upon student numbers.
• Fully maintained vehicle for use within Armidale Diocese.
• The term of the initial contract is negotiable. Subsequent contract renewal is subject to a successful performance review.
• Under normal circumstances, at least 10 school term weeks’ notice is required by either party to terminate employment.
• Reasonable relocation expenses (if required) will be provided for the successful applicant.
• The successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a National Criminal History Check.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• Commitment to and practice of the Catholic faith.
• A minimum of five years successful experience as a primary or secondary Principal or Assistant Principal or an equivalent role in school system leadership or the tertiary sector.
• A contemporary leader with the demonstrated capacity to inspire a team; collaboratively develop strategy and culture; and manage change.
• An innovative educational leader that can clearly articulate a vision of learning and teaching that integrates Catholic values and pastoral care into the daily life of the school.
• A leader with outstanding interpersonal skills to build a vibrant parish school community.
• An educational leader that will embrace the Diocese of Armidale vision and strategies for developing a Professional Learning Community in a Catholic context aligned to the CSO Strategic Plan.
• Hold professional qualifications:
  • An undergraduate education degree and relevant postgraduate degree qualifications in educational leadership, curriculum, theology or religious education or similar; and
  • Completion of or willingness to undertake appropriate postgraduate courses in the areas of religious education or theology to meet accreditation requirements of Category E as per the Catholic Schools framework for the accreditation of staff in Catholic schools.
• Be NESA accredited or be eligible to be accredited by NESA to teach in NSW.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1528. All we require at the outset is a resume,  email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role 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 CSO schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference; and a faith-based reference with a Catholic priest; both prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Director or his nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• Please note: people are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

 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.