View this short 2 minute video to get a sense of the exciting opportunity offered with O’Connor Catholic College:
The Catholic Diocese of Armidale is led by Bishop Michael Kennedy and covers a significant portion of North Western NSW. On behalf of the Bishop of Armidale, the Catholic Schools Office provides services and support for the 24 Catholic primary and secondary schools spread across the second largest diocese by area in New South Wales.
O’Connor Catholic College is a co-educational high school of nearly 500 students, from Years 7 to 12, and a school of the Catholic Schools Office (Armidale). It began in 1975 with the amalgamation of two of Armidale’s longest established schools – St Ursula’s College (est. 1882) and De La Salle College (est. 1906).
Armidale, as a thriving university city in the Northern Tablelands of the New England Region of NSW. Resting high on the Northern Tablelands, it is the most cosmopolitan NSW city outside Sydney catering for harmonious living for 25,000 citizens from 53 different nationalities. Armidale, with its unique blend of culture, state of the art technology, educational diversity and natural beauty is a city offering everything worth living for.
Armidale is situated half way between Sydney and Brisbane at the junction of the New England Highway, national route 15, and Waterfall Way and only two hours from the coast. Armidale enjoys a variety of weather including a warm summer, a crisp winter, exhilarating spring and beautiful autumn. Armidale has an estimated population of 25,000 citizens. It is the administrative centre for the Northern Tablelands region. Armidale traditional owners are Anaiwan people. Many Gumbaynggirr people have settled in Armidale since colonisation.
Further Information
Additional information can be viewed on the O’Connor Catholic College website located at http://www.oconnor.nsw.edu.au/
Additional information about The Armidale Area can be found by visiting the Armidale Regional Council website at http://www.armidale.nsw.gov.au/
Position Overview
Position Title: Principal
Reports to: Director of Schools
Purpose of the Position
The Principal is the religious, educational and organisational leader of a Catholic School within the Diocese of Armidale.
Statement of Responsibility
The Principal provides leadership and exercises prudential stewardship of the Catholic School. The Principal is ultimately responsible for the Catholic identity and ethos, curriculum and effective management of the school.
The leadership and direction provided by the Principal will be consistent with:
- The message of Jesus and the Gospels;
- Catholic church teachings, principles and values;
- Diocesan policies and directives;
- Catholic Schools Office, Armidale Mission Statement;
- Catholic Schools Office, Armidale policies and practices; and
- Catholic Schools Office, Armidale Strategic Directions.
Leadership Requirements1
Vision and Virtues
The Principal develops a vision for the school which is based on a clear moral purpose and is committed to the learning and growth of young people and adults. Within the Catholic School, ‘the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love provide the foundation and energising force of this moral purpose and give life to the cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance’2 so necessary in Christian leadership.
Knowledge and Understanding
The Principal keeps abreast of the latest research and developments in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and student wellbeing. They understand the practice and theory of contemporary Catholic leadership and apply that knowledge in school improvement.
Social and Interpersonal Skills
The Principal aims to build trust across the school community and create a positive learning atmosphere for students and staff. They regularly review their practice and implement change in their leadership and management approaches to suit the situation as is required.
1 Australian Professional Standard for Principals, AITSL as adapted for the Armidale Diocese November 2014
2 Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 384
3 Australian Professional Standard for Principals, AITSL as adapted for the Armidale Diocese November 2014
Professional Practices3
Leading Mission and Evangelisation
Leadership in the area of Mission and Evangelisation is provided through Christian witness, active participation in a parish, fostering the religious life of the school, promotion of Gospel values and the provision of quality Religious Education.
Leading Teaching and Learning
High quality teaching and learning is developed, implemented and monitored.
Developing Self and Others
Through supporting others and building capacity, a Catholic professional learning community is developed that is focused on continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
Leading Improvement, Innovation and Change
The Vision, Mission and strategic goals of the school are developed, articulated and aligned with School Review and Improvement outcomes and Diocesan strategic goals and initiatives.
Leading the Management of the School
Processes to manage the human, physical and financial resources are developed and maintained to support the effective delivery of educational programs.
Engaging and Working with the Community
Appropriate relationships are fostered and developed with the school staff, students, Parents and Friends Association, School Advisory Board, Parents, Clergy, the Parish, the Catholic education community and the wider community.
Reporting and Other Relationships
The Principal is responsible to the Director of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Armidale. Significant relationships also exist with the Assistant Director and other senior staff in the Catholic Schools Office, Armidale to whom the Director may delegate various aspects of responsibility.
Commencement
After nine years in this role the current Principal is retiring at the end of 2016. It is anticipated the new Principal can commence for the start of the 2017 school year.
Location
O’Connor Catholic College is located at 39 Kirkwood Street, Armidale NSW.
Conditions of Employment
- Salary and Conditions will be discussed as we progress through this recruitment project
- The CSO is open to negotiating the salary & conditions of the new principal based on qualifications and experience
- An initial contract will be offered for a period of two (2) years. Subsequent contract renewal subject to successful performance review.
- Under normal circumstances, at least 10 school term weeks’ notice is required by either party to terminate employment.
- Applicants who are successful in gaining an interview will receive an interview travel allowance.
- Relocation allowance (if required) will be provided for the successful applicant.
- The successful applicant will undertake a New Working with Children Check or provide their number for verification, and a National Police Checking Service (Crimtrac) prior to appointment.
Eligibility Criteria for Principals in the Armidale Diocesan System of Catholic Schools
- Committed, practicing Catholic.
- Hold professional qualifications:
- An education degree and/or relevant post graduate qualification
- Possess or demonstrated willingness to obtain Religious Education qualifications in accordance with the Diocesan Policy in order to meet the Diocesan requirements to lead in a Catholic school.
- Have ten (10) year successful teaching experience.
- Be a BOSTES accredited or be eligible to be accredited by BOSTES to teach in NSW.
- Successful experience as a Principal, Acting Principal, Assistant Principal or REC and/or equivalent role in school system leadership.
- Possess a Working With Children Check
Selection Criteria
Eligible Applicants for the position of Principal with the Catholic Schools Office, Armidale must demonstrate capacity to provide successful Catholic educational leadership. This must be demonstrated through:
- Ability to lead mission and evangelisation in a Catholic school
- Successful teaching and/or leadership experience with capacity to initiate improvement in teaching, learning and classroom practice.
- Knowledge of curriculum, assessment and student pastoral care with the ability to lead and design quality, inclusive teaching and learning programs
- Educational leadership skills to build the capacity and manage the performance of individuals and teams
- Well developed communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to build relationships and engage students, staff and parents.
- Ability to plan and manage resources effectively and equitably to support teaching and learning
We invite you to explore with us how a leadership role in rural NSW can provide you with personal, financial and professional rewards.
Are you Interested in this Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, there are two options for you to proceed:
- If interested, but have questions requiring a response before deciding whether to progress, then either (a) telephone our Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website with your questions.
- If and when you have enough information to start this process, then simply email us at mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website stating your interest and nominating the role and ref number TS1330; also providing a contact telephone number.
At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria, provide a resume or any application document – just a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘O’Connor Catholic College TS1330’ and providing your contact telephone number. 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 | Fri 10th/ Sat 11th June |
| Trak Search discussions commence | From Mon 20th June |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Wed 6th July |
| Initial reference checks by Trak Search | From week commencing Mon 4th July |
| CSO review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 11th July |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 18th or 25th July |
| 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 resume or lengthy, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or provide any 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 prior to short listing, with additional references (including with a Priest referee) 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 time period.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to short listing, in confidence, to the CSO Executive 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.
