Stella Maris College is an independent Catholic secondary college for girls with an expected enrolment of 920 students in 2019. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan founded the school in 1931 and it is their charism that is at the heart of the school’s ethos.
The core values of the College are Benedictine, grounded in the Gospels and central to the spiritual and emotional development of the young women at the school. Students learn the fundamentals of social justice and generosity of heart – leaving the College with an understanding that they go out to make a difference in the world.
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
The College is committed to achieving best practice in student and staff wellbeing. For students, a Head of Year oversees the whole Year group and pastoral teachers meet with their group of students each morning. In addition to the six Heads of Year there is a Coordinator of International Students who has a particular focus on the students who are living away from their families in homestay arrangements (approx. 40 to 50 students). There is also a Counsellor who works with Heads of Year and student families.
Learning and Teaching
The College aims to provide a holistic education underpinned with the knowledge that learning is life-long. Our learning journey is innovative, inclusive and inspiring and leads girls into further education and future careers.
Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Programs
Social Justice has a high profile in the College and the College focuses on the ministries of the Good Samaritan Sisters. Good Samaritan Education provides opportunities for students and staff to be immersed in the work of the congregation through short stays in communities in Santa Teresa, the Philippines and Kiribati.
Good Samaritan Education
While it is an independent College, Stella Maris benefits from being a member school of Good Samaritan Education (GSE). While each of the ten Colleges of GSE has due autonomy according to its Constitution and exercises its mission within a particular local community, the Colleges also operate in a collaborative manner for the common good of Good Samaritan Education. Learn more about GSE by visiting http://goodsameducation.org.au
Further Information
A range of additional information, including the College strategic plan, can be viewed on the College website located at: www.stellamaris.nsw.edu.au
Position Overview
Position Title: Assistant Principal Wellbeing
Reports to: Principal
Context of the Position
This is a newly created position, being the outcome of a strategic review which highlighted the need to replace the Deputy Principal role with two Assistant Principals: this one focused on Wellbeing; the other on Learning & Teaching.
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing is responsible and accountable to the Principal for staff and student welfare and the implementation of proactive programming which addresses student and staff welfare within the College.
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing is a member of the College Senior Executive which consists of the Principal, Assistant Principal Wellbeing, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching and the Director of Business Services.
Role Purpose and Accountability
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing’s primary responsibility is to work with and support the Leadership Team to ensure that Stella Maris College remains a dynamic learning community formed in the Benedictine tradition of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. This is achieved by working in close collaboration with the Leadership Team to ensure the effective operation and compliance of the College and the realisation of its Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan.
In meeting this responsibility, the Assistant Principal Wellbeing oversees the welfare of the College community (staff and students), leads the Wellbeing Team (Heads of Year, Head of Community and Social Justice and the Counsellor) and works in close liaison with the Director of Administration, Risk and Compliance and the Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching.
During 2019 the Assistant Principal Wellbeing will establish a Staff Wellbeing Committee to provide an additional forum for staff feedback.
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing is responsible for all legislative compliance related to student wellbeing and the review and development of College policies related to student and staff wellbeing.
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing is a member of the Teaching and Learning Board Committee.
As a member of the Leadership Team, the Assistant Principal Wellbeing is subject to the College appraisal process.
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing may be asked to act for the Principal in their absence or represent the Principal on occasion.
A detailed list of position responsibilities will be provided at a later stage in the recruitment process.
Teaching Load
The Assistant Principal Wellbeing will model effective teaching in the classroom by engaging in teaching that is commensurate with the responsibilities of the role and as negotiated with the Principal.
Direct Reports
The following roles will report to the Assistant Principal Wellbeing:
- Director of Administration, Risk and Compliance
- Director of Mission
- Heads of Year and Head of Community and Social Justice
- Counsellor
- Career Pathways and Alumnae Coordinator
Commencement Date
The commencement date is negotiable although it is anticipated to be during January 2019 in preparation for the new school year.
Location
The College is located at 52 Eurobin Ave, Manly, NSW.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration package, comprising salary and superannuation, will be discussed as we progress through this recruitment process.
- Salary packaging is available.
- On-site parking is provided.
- Tenure: a three-year contract with an annual review. An external review will be conducted before the completion of three years.
- This position involves working with children. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory employment screening for child related employment in accordance with the law.
Selection Criteria
Stella Maris College is seeking an experienced, innovative educational leader to take up the role of Assistant Principal Wellbeing. It is expected that applicants will align with the following criteria:
- Leads by example through a commitment to the Catholic faith, responsive to Jesus’ mission to those on the margins of society;
- Capacity to learn and promote the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition;
- Leadership experience in Catholic schools in the domain of student wellbeing and pastoral care;
- Able to lead pastoral care programs and strategies to support student wellbeing; with high level understanding of policy compliance requirements for ensuring student wellbeing and safety;
- Models excellent teaching practice with an understanding of contemporary pedagogical thinking and ways to foster a love of learning in students;
- A track record of ongoing professional learning combined with postgraduate study in Pastoral Care, Wellbeing, Positive Education, Religious Education or Educational Leadership.
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 TS1392. 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 brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Stella Maris TS1392’; and providing your 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:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Tues 16 Oct |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Monday 5th Nov |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 12 Nov |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 26th November |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 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 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 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 Principal or her 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.
