Principal P-12 – St Andrew’s Catholic College (1,700 students), Cairns, FNQ

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.

The Catholic Education Community – Diocese of Cairns, is a partnership between Catholic Education Services and the 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.

The Vision of the Catholic Education Community is ‘to offer quality Catholic education so that each person may know and come to identify more fully with the living Spirit of Christ’. In seeking fulfilment of our Vision, we are inspired to:

• Be people of Mission and Witness inspired by what is best for all students in our schools
• Embrace the gifts and talents of all through commitment to Subsidiarity and Co-responsibility
• Be courageous – encountering possibilities and engaging in Dialogue to achieve excellence in all we do
• Move forward together – strengthening relationships between Families, Staff, School & System leaders, Clergy and the Diocese
• Be accountable for student learning through continuous improvement.

Further Information

Additional information on the College can be viewed by visiting their website at https://www.standrewscc.qld.edu.au/   

Position Overview

Position Title: Principal

Reports to:       Executive Director through the Deputy Executive Director

School Profile

College Motto – “Journey Together”

St Andrew’s Catholic College is a Catholic, co-educational College, situated on a picturesque 25 ha site located in the Redlynch Valley. The College is part of the Northern Beaches Parish with Father Neil Muir as the Parish Priest. The College opened in 2001 and has grown to an enrolment close to 1680 students and over 200 staff.

The College is organised into three sectors, all on the one site – Junior Years (Prep to Year 5); Middle Years (Year 6 to Year 9); and, Senior Years (Year 10 to Year 12).

From the outset in 2001, it was the hope of all people concerned with the development of the College that it is seen as a shared resource for the community, with a welcome for all people interested in continuing to seek faith development, spirituality, knowledge and recreation. This concept is at the heart of the ongoing vision for St Andrew’s Catholic College, Redlynch Valley.

Today, St Andrew’s is a College with a student-centred focus, in genuine partnership with families. We believe in giving girls and boys both a purpose and an identity through challenging them to become active, innovative, responsible citizens and we believe that students can best develop these essential skills in an outstanding learning environment which is present at the College. St Andrew’s truly is a College offering opportunities to all members of the community through life-giving relationships and a commitment to bring the Gospel values to life every day.

All Saints’ Chapel at the College is a Parish centre and Mass is celebrated for the community in the chapel every Sunday afternoon at 5.30pm. The College Leadership Team members take responsibility for supporting the weekly Parish Mass.

The College facilities are state of the art and have been designed to maximise student engagement. The College has been built over the past seventeen years in thirteen stages. The College continues to expand its facilities with Stage 14 (Science laboratories and General Learning spaces) being built during 2018. The 660 seat Performing Arts Theatre, “All Saints’ Theatre” is due for completion in May and will be an outstanding venue for College and community events.

The College is a systemic school within the Diocese of Cairns. As such, the College is supported by Catholic Education Services Cairns. The College is direct-funded and receives State and Federal grants via the Queensland Catholic Education Commission.

Initial Areas of Priority

The following priority areas are drawn from the College’s Strategic Directions, 2018-2020.

Lived and Celebrated Catholic Identity

Evidenced by:

• A welcoming, inclusive and diverse community whose members are able to articulate the Catholic ethos and participate fully in the religious life of the College.
• A rich spiritual formation program that embraces all community members.
• Outreach within the community which is highly visible and builds mutually respectful relationships that encourages reflection on our Catholic identity.

Optimal Wellbeing

Evidenced by:

• College structures, processes and programs that reflect the wellbeing needs of community members.
• Student’s gifts and talents are recognised, with each individual supported in fulfilling their potential.
• Staff who are supported in their roles, being able to work collaboratively and pursue professional growth.

Productive Partnerships

Evidenced by:

• Working relationships with key stakeholders (ie. teachers, parents, students and community organisations) that enhance student learning and community connectedness.
• An engaging and effective communications environment that supports and emphasises learning and wellbeing.
• Maximising College resources that encourage connections within the broader community.

High Quality Learning & Teaching

Evidenced by:

• An emphasis on school and system data combined with best practice pedagogical research to inform decisions and actions.
• A strong culture of collaboration, feedback and teamwork across sectors.
• Curriculum and assessment utilised as a basis for ongoing discussions about the best ways to maximise student learning and wellbeing.

Commencement

To commence early in January 2019 to prepare for the start of the school year.

Location

The College address is 185-205 Intake Rd, Redlynch.

Conditions of Employment

• Remuneration is negotiable but offered with reference to the Cairns Catholic Education Services – Principals’ Agreement 201
• There is an option to salary sacrifice a motor vehicle which is able to be used for business (with kilometre allowance) and private purposes.
• 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 TS1377. 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 ‘St Andrew’s Principal TS1377′; 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 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.