Brigidine College St Ives was opened by the Brigidine Sisters in 1954. It is an independent Catholic secondary school for girls, committed in its Mission to inspire girls “to value learning, to be true to themselves and to honour their spiritual heritage”.
The College motto, Fortiter et Suaviter, points to the qualities of ‘strength and gentleness’ fostered in the young women who attend the College.
The student population is approx. 900; with total staff of about 145.
Brigidine College is governed by Kildare Ministries, one of ten Colleges and three Community Works in Australia.
Governance
In 1999, Brigidine College was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Board of Directors was appointed with responsibility for the governance of the College.
In 2014 the Brigidine Sisters of NSW and Victoria with the Presentation Sisters of Victoria launched the Trustees of Kildare Ministries (Kildare Ministries). The Board of Directors of Brigidine College are appointed by Kildare Ministries to govern the College in the areas of education, financial, property and employment responsibilities and to plan for the ongoing development of the College. The Board is also responsible for the Catholic ethos and mission of the College.
The Principal of the College is appointed by the Board and is charged with the responsibility of leading and administering the College.
Kildare Ministries
Kildare Ministries comprises the educational and community works formerly governed by the New South Wales Province of the Brigidine Congregation, the Victorian Province of the Brigidine Congregation and the Presentation Congregation of Victoria. Kildare Ministries has received the authority to act as a Church body (Public Juridic Person).
Further Information
Additional information (including the strategic plan ‘Towards 2020’ and Annual Reports) can be viewed by visiting the Brigidine College website at https://www.brigidine.nsw.edu.au
To learn more about Kildare Ministries please visit http://www.kildareministries.org.au/our-story.html
You can also visit https://www.youtube.com/user/BrigidineStIves/videos to access a range of videos featuring some of the many aspects of Brigidine College life.
Position Overview
Position Title: Principal
Reports to: College Board Chair
Position Context and Purpose
Brigidine College inspires girls to value learning, to be true to themselves and to honour their spiritual heritage. It challenges young women to act in the world with strength and gentleness.
The Principal is the leader of the Brigidine College community and works with the staff, students, parents and other stakeholders to ensure that quality education is provided in the Catholic, Kildare Ministries and the Brigidine tradition.
The Principal has a deep personal commitment to the values and Catholic principles of the College and works to give expression to the Mission and Vision of the College in its Catholic and Brigidine traditions through the development and implementation of a range of educational programs, faith experiences and pastoral services.
The Principal has professional and personal attributes that enable them to influence others to enhance their practice. They successfully lead initiatives that make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of the school. The Principal has the ability to provide strategic direction and lead a multi-faceted team.
Key Responsibilities
- Mission – leadership of and commitment to the Catholic ethos and spiritual life of the College
- Leadership in Education –by promoting learning and a striving towards excellence in all areas in the College
- Leadership in Administration –working collaboratively with the Board and Kildare Ministries
- Leadership in Community –giving a high priority to the pastoral care of staff and students; and supporting the professional development of staff
A full position description will be provided to people at a later stage of the recruitment process.
Initial Priorities
- Stage 1 Implementation of the College Master Plan
- Evaluate the current Strategic Plan and plan for the development of a new Strategic Plan
- Follow up on NSW Curriculum Review
Key Relationships
An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage of the recruitment process.
Reason for Vacancy
After 10 years of outstanding leadership, the College Principal, Jane Curran, is retiring at the end of 2019.
Commencement
It is anticipated the new College Principal will commence for the start of the 2020 school year. Ideally the appointee will be available during Term 4 of 2019 to engage in some induction activities to assist with the smooth transition of leadership.
Location
The College is located at 325 Mona Vale Road, St Ives, on the Upper North Shore of Sydney.
Conditions of Employment
- The details and terms and conditions of appointment will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
- The Principal will be appointed with an ongoing contract, with reviews at set times as recommended by the AIS NSW.
- Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
- 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 and committed Catholic, combined with the desire to learn and promote the Brigidine traditions
- Experience in secondary education leadership roles, ideally within the Independent sector
- This senior level experience will include success in:
- Strategic leadership, having developed and delivered educational initiatives
- Team management, including developing staff capability as well as managing issues with an ethical, considered and sensitive approach
- Stakeholder management
- Communication skills to inspire vision and purpose with a strong ability to lead the way forward
- An understanding of the importance of culture and the ability to create a culture of confidence and trust to meet the needs of staff, students and parents and to connect with the local community
- Postgraduate qualifications with a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.
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 TS1401. 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 ‘Brigidine Principal TS1401’; and provide 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 | Fri 29th/Sat 30th March |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Mon 22nd April |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Monday 13th May |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Saturday 1st June |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meetings/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
The time taken from closing date until the client interview date is to ensure that people interested in the role are not inconvenienced due to prior commitments during the April term break and Easter period.
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 a work-related referee and a faith-based 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 Board Chair 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.
