Principal – St Stephen’s Catholic College, Atherton Tablelands, Diocese of Cairns

Under the leadership of the Bishop of Cairns, James Foley, the Catholic Diocese of Cairns 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 Services – Diocese of Cairns (CES), consists of twenty-nine schools including twenty primary schools, two Prep to Year 12 Colleges and seven secondary Colleges which includes a Special Assistance College with campuses in Cairns and Cooktown. These schools and colleges provide a quality education to almost 11,200 students.

All schools, except the dual campus Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Thursday Island and Hammond Island, Weipa and Holy Spirit College, Cooktown campus, are within a two-hour drive of Cairns.

Our newest schools at Weipa, and Mount Peter near Edmonton in the Cairns southern growth corridor opened in 2016.

Other quick facts:

• About one in four school students in the Far North attends a Catholic school
• Not all students are Catholic or come from Catholic families or backgrounds – enrolments also comprise families that demonstrate support for the values associated with Catholic schools – social and emotional development, value frameworks, safety and discipline, partnerships and a sense of belonging
• Catholic schools consistently perform well in NAPLAN, QCE and OP results for Year 12, with strong VET pathways, enhanced through the colleges’ Trade Training Centres
• All schools have a strong family focus and dedicated parent involvement through P&Fs and volunteer programs
• Catholic schools and Catholic education employ more than 1,700 people – one of, if not the largest non-government employer in the region

St Stephen’s Catholic College, Mareeba

St Stephen’s Catholic College is a co-educational Years 7 to 12 secondary school and a part of the System of schools in the Diocese of Cairns. It is located in Mareeba, approximately 60 kms west of Cairns. Founded in 2006 on 28 hectares, the college provides a quality secondary education for students from the surrounding Tablelands and Mossman areas.

Their vision is that St Stephen’s Catholic College will be a safe and nurturing learning community where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, to build successful relationships, to have an awareness of God’s presence and to strive to achieve their personal best.

Current Enrolment -approximately 560

Teaching Staff – 57

FTE Teaching Staff – 48.2

Non-Teaching Staff– 32

FTE Non-teaching staff -22.5

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the College website at https://sscc.qld.edu.au/ and the Catholic Education Services website at  https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/

The College 2018 Annual Report can be viewed by clicking here.

Position Overview

Position Title: Principal

Reports to:       Director School Effectiveness through to the Executive Director

Position Context and Purpose

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 manages and facilitates a number of significant and particular delegations which include:

• Support of the mission of the Church as delivered through Catholic education;
• Support of schools by providing services that strengthen school capacity;
• Provision of leadership and forward planning to develop organisational capability;
• Distribution to schools of government allocated funds and their accountability;
• Monitoring of quality of schools and compliance/accountability with requirements of governments, Church and parents;
• Within limits, provision of some centralised, specialised student services, where this is the most effective and efficient

The Principal is the religious and educational leader of a Catholic school within the Diocese of Cairns.

A full Position Description will be provided at a later stage in the recruitment process.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful applicant will be able to start in this role for the commencement of the 2020 school year.

Location

With a population of over 10,000, Mareeba is the largest town on the Atherton Tablelands and an hour’s drive west of Cairns. The College is located in McIver Rd., Mareeba.

Conditions of Employment

• Remuneration is negotiable but offered with reference to the Cairns Catholic Education Services – Principals’ Agreement 2016
• 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
• Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence
• 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

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• Committed to the objectives, vision and ethos of Catholic Education;
• Actively participate in and committed to the sacramental life of the Catholic Church;
• Experience in secondary school Leadership combined with skill in curriculum development and knowledge of contemporary education issues;
• A successful teaching career, including in religious education; and registered (or eligible to register) with the Queensland College of Teachers;
• Skills in interpersonal relationships and for building community; with a commitment to the pastoral care of members of the school community;
• Written and verbal communication skills of a high order;
• Professional qualifications in Education and Religion.

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 TS1412. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

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

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 we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
• We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Priest/Religious referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that before 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 his 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.