Principal: Good Counsel College, Innisfail, Diocese of Cairns, QLD

Under the leadership of the Bishop of Cairns, James Foley, the 29 Catholic schools and colleges of the Diocese educate almost 10,700 students.  The Cairns Diocese encompasses 377,000 km2 from Cardwell in the south, west to the Northern Territory Border including the Atherton Tablelands, and north to the Torres Strait Islands and Gulf of Carpentaria.

Catholic Education in Cairns

The Catholic Education Community – Diocese of Cairns, is a partnership between Catholic Education Services and twenty-nine schools. There are twenty primary schools; two Prep to Year 12 Colleges; and six secondary Colleges. There is a Special Assistance School with campuses in Cairns and Cooktown, catering for disengaged young people in Years 7-12.

Leadership and strategic management of the system of schools is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals, the Executive Director leads and facilitates a number of significant and particular delegations which enable the achievement of the Strategic Directions:

• Lived and celebrated Catholic identity
• Optimal learning and wellbeing for all students
• Access and stewardship of quality Catholic education
• Prophetic and creative leadership.

Brief Overview of the Good Counsel College Context

Good Counsel College is an independent Catholic Secondary College which is operated by Innisfail Mother of Good Counsel Parish under the direction of Parish Priest Fr Kerry Crowley on behalf of the Bishop of Cairns and administered by the Catholic Education Service of the Diocese of Cairns.

Good Counsel College was formed in 1975 as a result of the merger of the girls’ school conducted by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, and the boys’ school, conducted by the Marist Brothers.

With an enrolment of 387 students Good Counsel College is a medium sized school, large enough to provide a wide range of choice of subjects and programs in our curriculum which provides a variety of options of academic opportunities as well as vocational, trade and career training, while still being small enough to provide a caring Catholic community where every student is known, loved and valued.

Further Information

Additional information on Catholic Education in Cairns, including ‘Strategic Directions 2016 – 2019’, can be viewed by visiting the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns website located at https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au.

Information can be viewed on the Good Counsel College website located at http://www.gcc.qld.edu.au/

Position Overview

Position Title: Principal

Reports to:      Executive Director through Deputy Executive Director School Development

School Profile

Good Counsel College is a co-education secondary Catholic school for Years 7 – 12. Current enrolment is 387 with a total staff in excess of 95 including 64 teaching staff.  The College traditionally supports students and families from the surrounding rural and coastal region including Babinda, Mission Beach, Tully, Silkwood and South Johnston as well as families who live and work in the town centre.  The College has a strong link with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.  A broad curriculum offering including distinct academic and vocational pathways ensures that students are well prepared for their next step beyond school.

 Initial Areas of Priority

The following areas are noted as leadership priorities for Good Counsel College and are drawn from the CES School Effectiveness Framework.

• Building and maintaining respectful, caring and positive relationships between staff, students and parents (A culture that promotes learning).
• Maintaining a learning environment that is safe, respectful, tolerant, inclusive and promotes intellectual rigour and spiritual formation (A culture that promotes learning).
• Schoolwide analysis and discussion of systematically collected data on student outcomes (Analysis and discussion of data).
• Enhancing student learning, spiritual formation and wellbeing by partnering with parents, families, parish, other education and training institutions, local businesses, community organisations and Catholic social justice agencies (School community partnerships).

Commencement

Ideally, the successful candidate would commence the role in Semester Two, 2018 (Monday, July 16, 2018). However, a handover period with the existing Acting Principal prior to commencement would be preferred. This date can be negotiated.

Location

The College address is 66 Owen Street, Innisfail Qld.

Innisfail has a population of approx. 10,000 and is situated at the junction of the North and South Johnstone Rivers, about 5km from the coast. Innisfail is 90km from Cairns along the Bruce Highway, making it easily accessible by car (just over 1 hour to Cairns southern suburbs) bus or train.

Conditions of Employment

• Remuneration is negotiable but offered with reference to the Cairns Catholic Education Services – Principals’ Agreement 2016
• There is a school provided vehicle for the Principal’s use; but also an option to salary sacrifice a motor vehicle able to be used for business (with kilometre allowance) and private purposes
• There is a residence available (if required) with the Principal contributing 25% of the rental costs
• Appointment: 5 year initial period contract; with an option for a further 5 years and 3 years beyond that
• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a period of 6 months probation, in accordance with The Fair Work Act 2010
• A non-smoking policy is effective in Catholic Education Services buildings, offices, and motor vehicles.
• The Diocese has a relocation policy to assist, if required
• Mobile phone/laptop provided
• 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 by accessing the web site of the Public Safety Business Agency at the following internet address: https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role it is anticipated you will be an experienced Catholic educational leader and have:

• A strong commitment to the social justice principles of the Catholic Church and Catholic Education, evidenced by lived example
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the capacity to respond pastorally to human and interpersonal issues
• An understanding and rapport with young people
• Demonstrated ability in the development of a professional learning community
• Postgraduate qualifications and ongoing involvement in professional associations and personal development

 Mandatory Qualifications and Requirements:

• Participation in and commitment to the sacramental life of the Church
• Understanding and commitment to education in the Catholic tradition
• Professional qualifications in Education and Religion, as per Queensland Catholic Education Commission Policies of Qualifications for Senior Educational Leadership Positions in Catholic Schools in Queensland and The Religious Dimension of Senior Education Leadership in Catholic Schools in Queensland
• Demonstrated ability in curriculum development, including knowledge of contemporary educational issues at state and national levels
• Proficiency in the use of ICT for administration and the promotion of its role in effective learning and teaching
• Written and verbal communication skills of a high order
• Demonstrated commitment to the pastoral care and wellbeing of members of the school community
• Skills for building community, including facilitation, delegation and consultation
• Registered or eligible to register with Queensland College of Teachers

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 TS1374. 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 one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Good Counsel Principal TS1374’; 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 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 (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 Catholic Priest as 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 of time
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Executive Director or Deputy 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.