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.
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.
Position Overview
Position Title: Principal
Reports to: Director School Effectiveness through to the Executive Director
School Profile
St. Augustine’s College was founded in 1930 and is a Catholic boys school in the Marist tradition. It is a secondary day and boarding school for boys and also operates as a boarding school for girls who attend St. Monica’s College. “Saints” is the oldest operating Marist school in Queensland. St Augustine’s has a long and proud history of having a Marist Brother as the Principal of the College. The transition to a lay principal will be a significant milestone for the College.
The College’s aim is to provide each boy with an environment in which he feels welcome and secure; where he can pursue his dreams and develop his talents with both confidence and purpose; and where his full human growth – spiritual, academic, physical, emotional and vocational – can be nurtured.
The chief priority of “Saints” is to ensure that each of our students feels known and known well. We take to heart the first rule of the founder of Marist education, St Marcellin Champagnat, that “to educate a child properly, first you must love him.”
St Augustine’s has deliberately set an enrolment ceiling of 780 boys so that their nurturing and family environment can more easily be achieved.
Click here to visit the College website to learn more. You are also able to access their 2018 Annual Plan by clicking here.
Primary Responsibilities
- Faith Leadership – Sharing in the mission of the Church as leader within the school faith community
- Educational Leadership – Leading learning and teaching
- Staff Leadership – Developing self and others
- Organisational Leadership – Management of the school
- Community Leadership – Engaging and working with the community
- Strategic Leadership -Leading improvement, innovation and change
Commencement
To commence early in January 2019 to prepare for the start of the school year.
Location
The College is in the heart of Cairns at 251 Draper Street.
Conditions of Employment
- Remuneration is negotiable but offered with reference to the Cairns Catholic Education Services – Principals’ Agreement 2016
- 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 month 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 TS1384. 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 Augustine’s Principal TS1384′; 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:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Friday 1st/Sat 2nd June |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Monday 18th June |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 2nd July |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 16th July |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within a few 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 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.
