The Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga is located within Wiradjuri country in the Riverina and southwestern district of New South Wales. The Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are significant geographical features of the area with the eastern border of the Diocese lying in the mountainous regions of the Great Dividing Range.
Established in 1917, the Diocese of Wagga Wagga has a rich faith tradition; our faith communities are nourished and sustained by the sacramental life of the church administered and accessed through 31 parishes.
The Most Reverend Mark Edwards OMI was received as the sixth Bishop of Wagga Wagga at St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 22 July 2020.
Catholic Education
Catholic Education, Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW) is accountable to the Bishop. There are 26 primary schools and 5 secondary colleges in this System of schools. The Diocese educates in excess of 8,500 students through the dedication and work of approximately 1,000 staff.
CEDWW is seeking to appoint a primary principal for their school communities in Albury & Griffith.
St Patrick’s Parish School, Albury
St Patrick’s Parish School, a co-educational K – 6 school located in central Albury, draws students from Albury-Wodonga (population approx. 91,000) and surrounding areas.
The school’s rich history stems back over 150 years to the Mercy Sisters arriving in Albury to start the first religious school, St Brigid’s and then St Joseph’s Ladies College as the first Catholic High School in the region. Later, the Christian Brothers commenced education for young men forming Christian Brothers College (CBC). St Brigid’s and CBC combined to become the present day St Patrick’s Parish School.
St Patrick’s retains its strong links to both the Mercy and Christian Brothers traditions.
School Priorities
- Continue with developing the partnership with Lyn Sharratt with the focus on using data to inform decisions for teaching and learning;
- Development of a new site Master Plan.
Student numbers: 429
School Web address: https://web.spaww.catholic.edu.au/
Vision and Mission statement can be found at: https://web.spaww.catholic.edu.au/our-school/vision-mission/
Information on the Albury area is found at: https://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/
Appeal of Living in Rural NSW
If you are from a metropolitan/coastal city, and have not experienced life in rural areas, there are three key aspects for you to explore and consider:
- How would your financial position alter if you accepted a senior role in rural NSW?
- How will your home life benefit by experiencing the sense of community rural living provides?
- How will your career thrive because of the leadership experiences a senior appointment would provide?
Position Overview
Position Title: Principal
Reports to: Director of Schools
Primary Purpose of the Position
As Faith Leader, the Catholic School Principal models faith in action, leading the school community to enact a shared vision that focuses on the provision of a high quality Catholic education for all students.
A full Position Description and the CEDWW Workforce Capability Framework will be provided as we step through this process.
Commencement
It is anticipated the successful applicant will be able to commence for the start of the 2021 school year.
Conditions of Employment
- Salary and Conditions will be discussed as we progress through these recruitment projects.
- 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.
- 5 years full-time contract with the option of an additional 3 years subject to ongoing successful Performance Reviews.
- Relocation support will be provided for the successful applicants, if required.
- The successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.
- Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- Commitment to the Catholic faith and regularly participates in the sacramental life of the Church.
- Primary or secondary school leadership experience; or an equivalent role in school system leadership.
- The capacity to inspire a team; to collaboratively develop strategy and manage change.
- Innovation in leading contemporary learning initiatives.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills to build a vibrant school community.
- An affinity for rural & regional areas.
- Postgraduate academic qualifications additional to initial teacher training and evidence of personal responsibility for ongoing relevant professional learning.
- Accreditation for Senior Leadership in a Catholic School or working towards Accreditation.
Are You Interested in these Opportunities?
If you are interested in this role (or the Griffith role), simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1436 for Albury; TS1437 for Griffith; or ‘Both’ for the two roles. Please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number (mobile preferred).
If you are NOT interested in these roles 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 these projects is 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 7th August |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Monday 24th Aug |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 31 Aug |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 7th or 14th Sept |
| 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 these opportunities align with your expectations and interests.
- Closing is 5.00pm (AEST) 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.
- CEDWW will interview people via Zoom for anyone unable to visit the Diocese.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Head of HR or her nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
- If you would like a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
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.
