Assistant Principal – Learning & Teaching: Marian Catholic College, Griffith, NSW

Introduction

The Diocese of Wagga Wagga is in rural NSW, located in the Riverina and south western district of New South Wales. The Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are significant geographical features of our area – the diocese – and on our eastern border lie the mountainous regions of the Great Dividing Range. The area has large and small towns and some of Australia’s richest and most picturesque countryside.

The Catholic Schools Office

The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) is accountable to the Apostolic Administrator and is led by the Director of Schools, Mr Alan Bowyer. There are 26 primary schools and 5 secondary schools that educate in excess of 8,500 students through the dedication and work of approximately 1,000 staff.

Marian Catholic College, Griffith

Marian Catholic College is a coeducational school for Years 7 to 12 and a part the CSO System of schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga. It draws students from Griffith and the surrounding villages, including Hanwood, Yoogali and Yenda.

The College prides itself on being a ‘community school’ where each individual is valued and their contribution is recognised and appreciated.

The College’s student support and welfare programs are designed to ensure a safe, caring and supportive environment in which all students have the opportunity to achieve their best. We are proud of our College and of its students. The students work very hard and they achieve very good results both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities. Some of these include Tournament of Minds, Music, Drama, Public Speaking, Art Club, Duke of Edinburgh Award, MUNA and representative sport.

The staff at Marian Catholic College are highly committed to the well-being and learning of their students. They seek ways to enhance the learning opportunities within the college for the benefit of all.

August 2017 Census:  643

Educational Priorities

• Effective Classroom Practices-Feedback, Learning Intentions, Formative Assessment
• Comprehension Strategies-Whole School Literacy Project
• Academic Pastoral Care

School Priorities

• Transition from Yr 6 into Yr 7
• Staff Leadership Capacity Building
• Missionary Discipleship
• TAS Building Project
• College Master Plan

About Griffith

Population – Griffith has a population of 26,000

Housing median price – $270,000 (HIA 2014)

Climate – Griffith is a temperate climate, similar to the Mediterranean and boasting one of the highest number of sunny days with summers averaging 32.2º and winters 14º. Our spring and autumn months have average temperatures at 23º. Annual rainfall is 398mm

Living and working in Griffith offers regional city amenities combined with a cosmopolitan shopping and cultural precinct. Renowned for its Italian cuisine, provedores and hospitality, their restaurants are regularly voted in the top 10 eateries in NSW. Griffith is a cultural hub for arts and culture.

As the locals say “Enjoy world class educational and medical facilities, great restaurants, affordable housing and 10 minutes to get anywhere you need to go – Griffith is a very easy place to live – come and experience it for yourself”

Griffith is the regional centre for the vast Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia contributing over $5 billion annually to the national economy.

Further Information

A range of further information can be found by visiting :

• School web address at: http://www.mccww.catholic.edu.au/
• The CSO website at http://www.csoww.catholic.edu.au/

Position Overview

Position Title:  Assistant Principal -Learning & Teaching

Reports to:        Principal

Role Purpose

All staff at Marian Catholic College have an indispensable role to play in ensuring that Catholic education is Gospel based, student centred, inclusive and holistic.

It is expected that they accept and advance the educational Catholic perspective of the College; and through their teaching, other work and by personal example, strive to help students to understand, accept and appreciate Catholic teaching and values.

In particular, the Assistant Principal-Learning and Teaching is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the vision for teaching and learning in the College and for facilitating appropriate structures and processes which ensure that students and parents have access to a wide range of information to enable them to make appropriate decisions regarding their learning.

The Assistant Principal-Learning and Teaching needs to facilitate collaborative processes that build relationships and promote shared commitment, partnership and a sense of achievement.  As a member of the Leadership Team, it will be essential to work with the Principal in meeting the goals of Marian Catholic College. The Assistant Principal becomes the Acting Principal in the absence of the Principal.

A position description will be provided as we step through this process.

Accountability

• Demonstrate leadership within the Middle Leadership Team.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the College
• Ensure that teaching, assessment and reporting practices reflect College policies, CSO policies and the requirements of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
• In collaboration with the Principal, hold Leaders of Learning-Curriculum, accountable for their duties and responsibilities
• Participate in role related professional learning according to the Professional Learning Plan (PLP)
• Exercises pastoral care in a manner which is restorative and reflects Marian values
• Collaborates with Principal and the Pastoral Care Team and others, as appropriate, in order to support learning and pedagogy.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful person will be able to commence for the start of the 2018 school year.

Conditions of Employment

• Salary and Conditions: in accordance with the Enterprise Agreement 2015, the current salary plus an AP allowance of $35,345 (school size 601-900 students).
• Superannuation of 9.5% paid in addition to the above salary.
• Salary Packaging: employees may elect to take their remuneration as a combination of cash salary and benefits as outlined in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga Salary Packaging Employee Information Guide.
• Relocation allowance will be provided for the successful applicant.
• Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga
• The successful applicant will undertake a Working with Children Check or provide their number for verification, and a National Police Checking Service (Crimtrac) prior to appointment

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people able to demonstrate alignment with the following expectations:

• An appreciation of and active commitment to Catholic life and practice;
• An innovative and highly competent teacher whose practices reflect current pedagogy, collaboration (student and teacher) and a student-centred approach to learning;
• The capacity to collate, validate and use data to support a self-reviewing and self-improving school culture that informs and enhances teaching and learning practice;
• An affinity for rural & regional areas and the desire to engage with the College and wider community;
• Have completed (or commit to complete) study at a postgraduate level in Religious Education, or Theology, or specific Catholic Leadership in an approved Catholic program in a tertiary institution

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1358 . Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

We do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or compile any application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Marian College, Assistant Principal TS1358’ and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.

Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via 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 are as follows:

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 confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in this role.
• A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
• You are NOT required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or provide any referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
• At the appropriate time (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent.
• We expect to contact one work related referee and a Priest referee prior to short listing, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that prior to reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant time period.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to short listing, in confidence, to the Principal or nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.

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.