Principal – Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills, Sydney, NSW

Mount St Benedict College is a Catholic girls secondary  school of Good Samaritan Education (GSE) with a tradition of excellence in the education of young women in the North-West of Sydney.

Mount St Benedict College, was founded by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in 1966. It is the charism of the Sisters which informs and guides the College Mission and Vision. The values of Pax, Hospitality and Stewardship are at the heart of the charism of the Sisters and are the core values of the College.

The College is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Members of the Company represent and are accountable to GSE. The Board of Directors is appointed by the Members and is responsible for the management of the College. The Principal is responsible for the administration of the College and is accountable to the Board.

There are nearly 1,100 girls from Year 7 to Year 12, drawn from the Northern and North Western sectors of the Sydney region. The College is known for its dedicated, highly qualified and committed teachers and support staff, many of whom are widely recognised in the education community for their expertise.

Good Samaritan Education

While it is a so-called ‘independent’ College with a Board of Directors, Mount St Benedict College is accountable to and benefits from being a member school of 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 GSE. Learn more about GSE by visiting http://goodsameducation.org.au

Further Information

Additional information, including videos and the 2017 – 2021 College Strategic Plan, can be viewed by visiting https://www.msb.nsw.edu.au/

Position Overview

Position Title:    Principal

Reports to:         Board of Directors

Context

The role statement pertains to the position of Principal in each of the ten Australian Good Samaritan Colleges which are part of the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) network of Catholic schools in the Benedictine tradition in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Good Samaritan Colleges have the education of young people at the very heart of their mission, and base their approach to this on the Good Samaritan Schools Teaching and Learning Framework, with its focus on quality curriculum and right relationships through effective teaching and learning.

Position Purpose

The role of the Principal is to give expression to the Good Samaritan Philosophy of Education in an effective Catholic school.

This will require the Principal to engage with creativity and commitment in:

• Leading the learning community;
• Nurturing a faith-filled culture;
• Building a just and caring community;
• Engaging strategically in a futures orientation, based on vision;
• Acting as faithful steward of College resources.

Principals will need to exercise leadership which:

• Draws on the strength of the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition;
• Is directed to the seeking of God;
• Is centred on Jesus Christ and his mission;
• Is committed to partnership and Christian community
• Is committed to participative leadership;
• Is responsive to its cultural context.

These role requirements will be lived out through relationships with key stakeholders in the College community.

A detailed position description and a College organisation chart will be provided at a later stage of this project.

Reason for Vacancy

After a 42 year career in Catholic Education and 15 years of outstanding leadership at the College, Mrs Maria Pearson has resigned from the Principal role, effective from the end of the 2019 school year.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful person will be able to commence in this role in January 2020.

Location

Mount St Benedict College is located at 449C Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills, NSW. Click here to view map.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

• The details and terms and conditions of appointment are contained in the contract of employment which will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
• The remuneration package will be comparable to that paid to Principals in Good Samaritan Colleges.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• The Principal will be appointed for an initial contract period of five years.
• Before appointment, an applicant must complete a “Working With Children Check” through the Office of the Children’s Guardian – please visit https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check

Selection Criteria

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

• A practising Catholic with a personal commitment to the teachings and practices of the Catholic Faith;
• The willingness and desire to engage in and to embed the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism into the structures, operations and curriculum of the school;
• Leadership experience in secondary education, which includes:
  • Understanding the nuances and innovation in girls’ education
  • Exposure to wider educational forums and current educational issues
  • A deep knowledge of teaching and learning
  • Strategic and master planning
  • Capacity for innovation.
• Collaborative, consultative, inclusive approach to people, decision-making and change management;
• Good communication skills (written & oral) and able to articulate clear educational standards for staff and students.

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 TS1400. 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 ‘Bennies Principal TS1400’; and provide 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:

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 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 Board Chair or her nominees 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.