Dean of Boarding – Stuartholme School, Toowong, Brisbane

 Stuartholme is a Catholic day and boarding school for girls that has a long and distinguished history. Located in Toowong, Brisbane, and is widely known as one of Queensland’s leading secondary schools for girls.

This Catholic Independent School is part of an international network committed to the education of young women in the Sacred Heart tradition.  The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus operates one hundred and fifty schools in forty-five countries, each with a common educational tradition known to its members simply as a “Sacred Heart Education”. Stuartholme is one of four schools in the Australian and New Zealand Network of Sacred Heart Schools which have a common educational tradition.

Stuartholme is committed to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development of each individual girl.  Stuartholme provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment where each girl’s gifts and talents are recognised, nurtured and challenged through an individualised educational programme.

The School’s highly educated, talented and creative teachers are at the forefront of providing a dynamic learning environment; challenging students to become independent, critical thinkers. The curriculum aims to engage each girl in her learning so that she will come to understand ‘learning as a meaningful experience’.

Staff, students, parents and alumnae are an essential part of the school community.  Together they strive to celebrate success, support one another through challenges and create a community that lives out the spirit of Cor Unum – “One Heart”. In particular, past students proudly recognise that they belong to the school community, and the global Sacred Heart Network.

 Stuartholme has a current enrolment of nearly 700 girls in Years seven to twelve, 130 of whom are boarders. Boarders contribute significantly to the life of Stuartholme as they make up approximately 20 percent of the total student population.

Stuartholme School is Brisbane’s only Catholic girls Boarding School and provides a specialist boarding experience in the Sacred Heart tradition.  Many of our Boarders are from regional and international locations and their experiences offer richness and cultural diversity to the school community.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Stuartholme School website located at https://stuartholme.com

A video overview of Stuartholme can be accessed at https://stuartholme.com/discover/stuartholme-life/

Position Overview

Position Title: Dean of Boarding

Reports to:       Principal

Role Purpose:

The Dean of Boarding is an essential member of the School Leadership Team with delegated responsibility for the effective operation of the House, including the in loco parentis care of each Boarding Student.

A full position description will be provided later in the process.

Organisation Structure

The Dean of Boarding leads a staff of 31 people. An organisation chart will be provided as we move through the process.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful person will commence in January 2019, prior to the start of the school year.

Location

Stuartholme School is located in Brisbane, Queensland, at 365 Birdwood Terrace, Toowong.  The School is located 5km from the CBD in a beautiful bushland setting near Mt Coot-tha.

Length of Tenure

The Dean of Boarding is appointed for an initial period of five years with a further five-year appointment subject to a satisfactory performance review at the conclusion of the first five-year period.   After the completion of 10 years, the School may at its discretion advertise the role.

Conditions of Employment

• Remuneration consists of salary and superannuation and will be discussed with the successful person
• On-site accommodation is provided.
• The nature of the position is such that the Dean of Boarding is required to be available outside “normal” School hours and to participate fully in the total life of the School and the Boarding community.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Registration with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) is required for teacher-qualified applicants. For non-teacher qualified applicants, the Working with Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to “working with children check” as part of the employment screening process.  Further details regarding this check may be obtained at https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

Selection Criteria

It is anticipated that people interested in this role will align with the following expectations:

• A practising Catholic with understanding of and commitment to the Church’s mission in Catholic education;
• The desire and capacity to learn and promote the Spirit, Mission and traditions of Sacred Heart Education;
• Leadership experience in student wellbeing:
  • in a boarding or residential environment; and
  • supervising staff
• Highly relational and accessible with a desire to engage with the school and Boarding community; capable of building and maintaining effective, cohesive relationships.
• Relevant qualifications.

It is preferred (but not essential) that the Dean of Boarding has a teaching background.

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 TS1398. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Stuartholme Dean of Boarding TS1398’; and providing your brief resume and contact 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 weekly job alert.

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 the role.
• A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
• At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply 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 we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
• We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Priest/Religious referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that before 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 period of time.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Principal or her 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.