Principal–Secondary (1,483 students) Launceston TAS

An Introduction to Catholic Education in Tasmania

The Archdiocese of Hobart covers all of the State of Tasmania.

Within the Archdiocese are thirty-eight Catholic schools, with enrolments in excess of 16,000 students. In Archdiocesan and systemic schools and colleges the Principal is appointed by the Director of Catholic Education. The Principal has delegated authority for the appointment of staff, for their conditions of employment, deployment and pastoral care.

Principals work with Governing Councils and/or School Advisory Boards in the effective leadership of the school or college.

For further information relating to Tasmanian Catholic schools, please visit the Tasmania Catholic Education Office website at http://www.catholic.tas.edu.au

St Patrick’s College Launceston

St Patrick’s College is a Year 7-12 co-educational College with a current enrolment of 1,483 students.

The mission of our College is to be a school community of faith, learning, respect and service in the Catholic tradition. Our community discerned the values of catholic identity, compassion, endeavour and excellence, individuality, social justice, stewardship, leadership and relationships as central to our daily living.

The focus of our education is learning for life, the development of mind, body and spirit and the understanding of God’s unconditional love for each person. The curriculum is broad including vocational (VET) and academic learning pathways. Year 7 – 10 learning and assessment is modeled on the Australian Curriculum (ACARA).

There is an extensive range of subjects offered at the senior level and we offer cooperative classes with other Launceston independent schools through timetable alignment. A full range of co-curricular cultural and sporting opportunities are provided to augment learning and enable students to explore their talents, develop teamwork and promote connection to the community.

The pastoral care of each person is paramount. Our College is structured into three schools; Middle (Year 7 & 8), Year Nine (Croagh Patrick) and Senior School (Year 10-12). Vertical pastoral care (7-12) with a strong House tradition links students across year levels and builds positive relationships.

Parents are strongly committed to our College and contribute to Governance structures (College Board, Governing Council) the Parents and Friends Association, vocational placement programs and cultural and sporting bodies within our community (coaching and managing teams).

For more information please see the St Patrick’s College website http://www.stpatricks.tas.edu.au

Introduction to Launceston

Launceston is in the north of Tasmania and is Tasmania’s second largest city after Hobart. With a population of approx. 75,000, it is the ninth largest non-capital city in Australia.

Launceston has an oceanic, temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Along with being a major retail centre, it is the major service centre for the north of Tasmania. The city is home to a campus of the University of Tasmania including the Australian Maritime College; and has a minor minerals and manufacturing base.

Launceston is also a major hub for the regional agricultural and pastoral activities. Historically, this has been connected with the growing of apples – in recent years the stress has moved to viticulture. Superfine wool remains an important part of the rural economy of north-east Tasmania and wool sales in Launceston attract many international buyers.

Learn more about Launceston by visiting http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/

Position Overview

Role title:                     Principal

Responsible to:             School Governance, Director

Works collegially with:  Tasmanian Catholic Education Office (TCEO), other Colleges                                                                       and System Schools

Role Accountability

The Principal is accountable for leadership of mission, evangelisation and learning within the school community to ensure the goals of Catholic education are achieved. The role is accountable for effective leadership of staff, students and the wider school community to ensure that students receive quality education in accordance with Catholic faith and Christian principles.

This is achieved through effective planning, direction, delivery, monitoring and assessment of curriculum, teaching programs, and co-curricular activities that support the core religious and educative dimensions. These activities require the effective and sustainable development, management and deployment of strategies, plans, staff and resources to support the future of the school and enhancement of system-wide Catholic Education effectiveness.

Organisational Requirements

As a leader in Catholic Education Tasmania,

• you will promote and support the achievement of our mission;
• you are required to exercise the principles of collegiality and subsidiarity in the promotion of shared ministry and teamwork within the school community and archdiocesan system;
• you must take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of other people, including people working under your supervision or direction who may be affected by your acts or omissions at the workplace, and be aware of and apply Work Health and Safety (WHS) Officer due diligence criteria in accordance with Section 27 of WHS Act 2012 (TAS);
• you have a duty of care to protect and preserve the safety of children and students and must always act in the best interests of them in accordance with the Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission’s Child Safe Organisation policy.

Role Relationships

Internal

• Director through relevant reporting structure
• School Governance Bodies
• School Leadership Team
• School staff
• School volunteers

External

• TCEO
• External stakeholders, suppliers and service providers
• Government and Education agencies
• Visitors and members of the public

Commencement

It is anticipated the appointed person will be able to take up this position in January 2017 prior to the start of the school year.

Conditions of Employment

• Remuneration will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Principal appointments are typically on an initial contract basis for four years subject to Director discretion. Two further subsequent contracts of four years duration may be negotiated for effective high-performing Principals. The first six months of the initial year of the appointment will be designated as a probationary period.
• Reasonable transfer and removal costs will be provided for the successful applicant.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Registrations

• Bachelor of Education
• Masters in Education, or equivalent
• Diploma in Theology, or equivalent
• Current motor vehicle license
• Accreditation for Senior Leadership or equivalent
• Full registration with the Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board at time of commencement of duties
• Working with Vulnerable People registration
• Satisfactory National Police History Check

Skills and Capabilities

• A practicing Catholic whose faith is visible and inspiring in daily life and work
• Significant experience in a Catholic education leadership role
• Demonstrated ability to articulate an educational vision that incorporates Catholic beliefs and values into all facets of school life and learning
• Experience building engagement across all elements of a school community
• A coalition builder who creates an inclusive environment that is conducive to sincere and open communication
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking skills
• Well-developed knowledge and understanding of school financial and administrative functions
• A collaborative leader with an accessible and approachable style
• Demonstrated ability to listen to concerns and resolve conflicts constructively
• Demonstrated experience in promoting a culture of continuous improvement, offering creative solutions and applying strong leadership to challenges
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional growth for self and others
• Ability to develop staff and build leadership capacity

Are you Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply email us at mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website stating your interest; nominating the role and ref number TS1339; and providing your resume.

At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria or any application document – just a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘St Patrick’s College TS1339’ and providing your resume. 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:

Significant aspects of this project include:

• 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 referee details.
• Trak Search will arrange to have a brief telephone conversation with people interested in this role. At this time additional information will also be provided to you.
• 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.
• On Monday 11^th July all resumes will be forwarded to TCEO and their shortlisting will occur soon after.
• From Monday 11^th July all contact regarding this role (including invitations to interview and unsuccessful advice) will occur directly between applicants and TCEO, with Trak Search not involved.
• Applicants short-listed for interview will receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending an interview. For inter-state interviewees, this includes reimbursement of a return economy airfare, or its equivalent.

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.