Are you seeking:

• The exciting prospect of leading a Catholic school community with a dynamic change agenda?
• The opportunity to work with a Board in an incorporated entity while enjoying the collegiality of being a part of a network of schools?

Lourdes Hill College is a school of Good Samaritan Education (GSE). It is an incorporated entity and governed by a Board of Directors which is accountable through the Company Members to Good Samaritan Education. GSE is responsible for ten incorporated schools in Australia. Their distinctive spirit connects each to their local Church while sharing an ecclesial communion in a spirit of co-operation and collaboration.

Established in 1916 by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Lourdes Hill College is a Catholic school for girls from Years 7 to 12. The current enrolment is more than 1200 students.

We embrace the Benedictine values of genuine community, compassion, effective listening and moral stability, and we value prayer and peace. It is a place of educational expertise and sound learning procedures where individual differences and the potential of each student are respected.

Students are given the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and personal fulfilment in a culturally rich environment. They are encouraged to seek for truth and human wisdom enlightened by Christian values within a Benedictine framework.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Lourdes Hill College website located at https://www.lhc.qld.edu.au/ and the Good Samaritan Education website located at https://goodsameducation.org.au/

Trak Search has also been instructed to provide a range of information to people as they progress through this process, to assist in their due diligence/discernment.

Position Overview

Position Title: Principal of Lourdes Hill College

Reports to: The Board

Overview

Each school of Good Samaritan Education (GSE) is an incorporated entity with its own Board. Each school forms part of a network of Catholic Schools in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition and the Principal is required to actively contribute to strengthening the broader Good Samaritan education community in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

As a Leader within a Good Samaritan school, the Principal is responsible for ensuring that young people remain at the heart of the mission, and that the school enlivens the GSE Philosophy of Education by focusing on quality curriculum and right relationships through effective teaching and learning that develop life-long learners and active global citizens.

The principal is appointed by the Board with the approval of GSE.

At a later stage in this project you will be provided with the GSE Philosophy of Education (although this is available on the GSE website); a full position description; and the success criteria/priorities for the first 12 months in the role.

School Structure

The Principal heads the College Executive Team and the College Leadership Team which assist in developing and implementing College policy.

The Executive Team currently consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal Head of School and Head of Senior School, Deputy Principal Mission, Deputy Principal Middle School, and Business Manager. The Leadership Team consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal Head of School and Head of Senior School, Deputy Principal Mission, Deputy Principal Middle School, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching, Assistant Principal Students and Assistant Principal Administration.

The Principal is responsible to the College Board.

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Commencement

After 13 years of leadership at our College, Robyn Anderson will step down at the end of the 2022 school year. The person is anticipated to commence no later than the start of term 1 2023 although the Board would consider an earlier or later date.

Location

Lourdes Hill College overlooks the Brisbane River and is conveniently located six kilometres from Brisbane’s central business district. The College address is 86 Hawthorne Rd., Hawthorne.

Conditions of Employment

• The details and terms and conditions of appointment are contained in the contract of employment which will be negotiated with the successful candidate. The remuneration package will be comparable to that paid to Principals in GSE
• Opportunity to salary sacrifice a range of other benefits (the College recommends the obtaining of advice from your financial advisor prior to entering into any arrangement.)
• Employer superannuation contribution is in accordance with the SGC, with several options of additional employer contributions as part of the College’s co-contribution scheme.
• The salary package component is adjusted annually in line with movements in the general market and in light of performance.
• An annual appraisal process exists.
• The Principal will be appointed for an initial contract period of 5 years with the expectation of renewal for a further 5 year period on the successful completion of a major performance review in the 4th year of the contract. There is the usual 6-month probation period.
• Portability of benefits will be negotiated with the successful applicant, however as an indicator, portability of LSL and sick leave earned with another Catholic education employer will be in accord with the agreements in place.
• Enrichment Leave – 2 weeks enrichment leave per year of service (in accordance with GSE policy) to be used in a way to support your own personal and professional development and to contribute positively to the leadership of the College.
• A relocation allowance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.

Selection Criteria

A school of GSE, Lourdes Hill College seeks expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• A personal commitment to the teachings & practice of the Catholic Faith.
• A role model with the capacity and desire to engage in and embed the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism into the life of the College.
• Leadership experience in Catholic secondary education, which includes:
  • A track record of innovation and creativity, with a vision for the future of education;
  • Exposure to wider educational forums and current educational issues;
  • A deep knowledge of contemporary pedagogy;
  • A strategic management approach and the business acumen to sustainably lead and manage a significant organisation in terms of revenue, costs, staff and students.
• An understanding of how to empower young women today and prepare them for an ever-changing future.
• Capable of and excited by the prospect of leading a school community through a period of significant change.
• A highly relational, visible, inclusive leadership style with a desire to engage with people and earn the respect and trust of the College community.
• Postgraduate qualifications with a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.

The College Board commissioned a community consultation process which provided insight as to the key characteristics that the parents and staff anticipate in the incoming principal. This document will be shared at a later stage of the process.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1474. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Any questions can be directed to our Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our job alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information as you progress through the process. This is to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or College schedule.
• We expect to contact a work-related referee and a Catholic Priest for a faith-based reference prior to shortlisting. We then anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed for the preferred person(s) in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications verification.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Board Chair, or his nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
• To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.

Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

 Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents. We are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to accommodate neurodiverse candidates; or people with different physical abilities.

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.