Deputy Principal: Stuartholme School, Brisbane, QLD

An Introduction to Stuartholme School

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

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, 150 of whom are boarders.

Further Information

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

Position Overview

Position Title:    Deputy Principal

Reports to:          Principal

Role Context

Principal Kristen Sharpe and the School Board engaged in a strategic review of the school with a view towards further enhancing the educational opportunities provided to the students.

Factors considered and accounted for in this review included:

• Queensland schools moving to the new external assessment framework from 2019
• Growing student numbers with the 2020 enrolment numbers forecast at 750 (now approx. 680). Boarding is at full capacity.
• The imminent release of the new Strategic Plan
• Likelihood of a major building program being launched in 2019
• National School Improvement Tool recommendations to develop:
  • a clear school improvement plan
  • a systematic plan for the analysis and use of student achievement and wellbeing data
  • a culture of reflective practice and use this practice to develop models of coaching and mentoring
• The intention to introduce a formal review and appraisal process for all senior staff

A significant outcome of this strategic review has been the adoption of a new leadership structure whereby four Deputy Principal roles have been replaced by a single Deputy Principal, with the role having accountability for two portfolios: Teaching & Learning and Staffing.

Underpinning this significant change in structure is the determination that a single Deputy Principal role will be able to provide greater cohesion and cooperation to allow the Executive Leadership to support the teachers and staff in their work to provide continual improvements in the learning and teaching offered to the students.

Role Purpose:

The Deputy Principal is an essential member of the School Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Principal and has designated deputising authority for the Principal.  The Deputy Principal is expected to provide appropriate support to the Principal and to represent the Principal and/or the School Board, on occasions, as directed.  The responsibilities of the position encompass:

• Educational Leadership;
• Staff Development and Human Resource Management;
• Team Leadership;
• Spiritual Leadership; and
• Community Leadership.

Additional Information:

A full position description and organisation chart will be supplied as you progress through this process.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful person will commence in January 2018, prior to the start of the school year.

Location

Stuartholme School is located in Brisbane, Queensland, at 364-376 Birdwood Terrace, Toowong.

Length of Tenure

The Deputy Principal is appointed for an initial period of five years with a further five year appointment subject to a satisfactory performance review prior to 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
• The Deputy Principal is required to be available outside “normal” School hours and to participate fully in the total life of the School
• The Deputy Principal will undergo an annual Professional Review with the Principal and a comprehensive Performance Appraisal towards the end of the appointment contract time in accordance with School’s enterprise agreement.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• 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

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

• a practising Catholic with a sound 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
• a career built within Catholic education having leadership experience in either congregational or systemic schools
• a highly relational style and the capability to build and maintain effective, cohesive relationships
• a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning combined with postgraduate qualifications.

Given the learning opportunities that will be available to the Deputy Principal, both locally and internationally, this role is an ideal stepping stone to principalship. Accordingly, we seek a person with the desire and capacity to embrace such an opportunity for professional growth and personal development.

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 TS1360. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria or any application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Stuartholme Deputy Principal TS1360’ also 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 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, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or supply 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 religious referee prior to shortlisting, 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 period.
• 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.