HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL (7-12) POR 4

Commencing January 2027

The POR role is a minimum 4-year engagement, whilst the teaching role is permanent. Employment is in accordance with the South Australian Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2020 or its successor.

Position Information Document: HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL (7-12) PID 2027.pdf

St Francis de Sales College invites applications from experienced Teachers to join our vibrant school community set within the beauty of the Adelaide Hills.

The successful applicant will lead the school community in alignment with Catholic identity and Mercy values, fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, and wellbeing. This role is central to achieving high-quality educational outcomes, supporting staff development, and upholding the College’s mission, vision and strategic priorities. As a key member of the leadership team, the Head of Senior School (7-12) cultivates a collaborative, high-trust environment that supports students’ academic, pastoral, spiritual, and wellbeing needs.

The role works closely with the College Leadership Team, POR’s and teaching staff to ensure the delivery of engaging, effective learning programs aligned with the College’s vision for excellence.

With oversight of processes that support diverse learning needs, the Head of Senior School (7-12) monitors student outcomes, leads data-informed interventions, and ensures growth beyond benchmarks. Through evidence-informed and future-focused leadership, the role builds staff capacity, shapes effective systems and policies, and consistently demonstrates impact as both a leader and educator.

At St Francis de Sales College we aim to provide opportunities for the growth and development of all of our community members so they may 'be who they are and be that well.' We strive to inspire all to develop a love of learning and enable them to reach their full potential by living, through a Catholic lens, the College’s seven Heart Values of Faith; Perseverance; Compassion; Integrity; Respect; Wisdom; and Justice. This is the foundation and the essence upon which this role is based.

Our Vision

Be who you are and be that well

Our Mission

St Francis de Sales College is a community in which faith is nurtured in a Catholic Christian tradition. It does this by recognising each individual's skills and talents while appreciating and accepting their uniqueness.

The College is committed to promoting community and personal fulfilment through life enhancing relationships.

About the role

St Francis de Sales, as patron, symbolises the high hopes that are held for every St Francis de Sales student, so that, inspired and guided by his example, each child may:

- Promote a culture of life through courage and responding to the challenges that life brings
- Foster the engagement of faith and reason
- Develop a love of learning and independent thinking
- Be an ethical leader by valuing and respecting each individual, irrespective of position, wealth, racial and ethnic origin and religious beliefs
- Become socially responsible contributor in their community and to society
- Acquire virtue and wisdom and respond generously to others, throughout their life A valuable education is the greatest gift we can give our children as they thrive in a safe, supportive learning setting. At St Francis de Sales College,



we welcome you to ensure that we not only meet the child’s learning needs but exceed their expectations.

For all teaching positions, the successful applicant will demonstrate a capacity to engage, challenge and support learners to achieve their potential and hold a deep belief in the capacity for every child to learn.

Our staff work collaboratively with leaders, colleagues, parents/caregivers and others as applicable to facilitate positive learning for our students and engage in educational reform. St Francis de Sales College is committed to supporting and providing teachers with relevant professional learning opportunities to support their teaching practice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Support the Principal in, but not limited to:

Faith Leadership and Catholic Identity

- Promote and enhance the Catholic identity and Mercy ethos of the College, ensuring faith, values and traditions are embedded in all aspects of College life.

Educational Leadership and Student Growth
- Lead and manage teaching, learning, and wellbeing to ensure every student experiences academic progress, personal development, and holistic achievement.

Staff Development and Professional Growth
- Build staff capacity through targeted professional learning, coaching, and performance feedback to foster a culture of continuous improvement and leadership development.

Strategic and Operational Management

- Oversee the implementation of strategic and operational plans, policies, and compliance requirements to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the school.

Community Engagement and Relationships

- Foster positive, respectful, and collaborative relationships with students, staff, families, and the wider community to strengthen engagement and shared purpose.

Safe and Inclusive School Culture
- Ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that promotes student wellbeing, belonging, equity and a consistent R-12 approach to behaviour management for all members of the school community.

Collaborative Leadership and System Alignment
- Collaborate with school leadership, staff, and external agencies to align with system priorities and drive shared educational goals.

Monitoring and Accountability

- Monitor and report on student progress, wellbeing, and school performance using data-informed practices to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Undertake other duties as required by the Principal (or delegate).

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

- A commitment to personal growth and development as demonstrated by post graduate studies and engagement with leadership formation (i.e. Grad Cert, Masters, CESA Aspiring Leaders Program).
- Appropriate academic qualifications, suitable experience and a background relevant to the position.
- Currently at, or working towards, Highly Accomplished or Lead Teacher career stage (Australian Professional Standards for Teachers), which will be highly regarded.
- Significant and impactful experience as an educator, preferably within a Catholic school context,



with demonstrated commitment to the mission of the College.
- Proven capacity to translate College strategic direction into operational priorities, actions and measurable outcomes.
- Ability to lead and influence high-quality pedagogical practice, including modelling exemplary practice, coaching and developing staff to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
- Proven ability to hold staff accountable for performance while fostering a culture of excellence, including setting clear expectations, monitoring practice, providing feedback, and ensuring continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
- Demonstrated leadership of whole-College improvement initiatives, using data to drive outcomes and embed evidence-informed and evolving best practice.
- Proven capability to lead and manage change, including influencing staff practice and embedding sustainable improvements aligned to College priorities.
- Strong capability to lead teams and complex projects and programs including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Ability to build staff capability, resilience and adaptability, enabling effective response to change and evolving College priorities.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence, guide and build professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong knowledge of policy, compliance and reporting requirements, and the effective use of systems (e.g. LMS) to ensure consistency and accountability.
- Highly developed professional judgement, with the ability to operate with autonomy, integrity, resilience and discretion.
- Commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
- Capacity to navigate complex, sensitive and high-pressure situations with integrity, confidentiality, resilience, courage and initiative.
- Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while working collaboratively and maintaining alignment with College priorities and leadership direction.
- All teaching staff are expected to meet the obligations of the Teacher PID.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

- Registration (or eligibility for registration) as a teacher in South Australia.
- Act in accordance with the CESA Code of Conduct and the Charter for Staff in Catholic Schools in South Australia.
- Hold a current acceptable Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance & screening to work in Catholic Education South Australia.
- Hold current certification in Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect in Education and Care Settings.
- First Aid Qualification as directed by the College.
- As a worker, comply with the SA Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and, while at work, take reasonable care for their own health and safety.

To be considered for this position, applicants are required to please submit the following:
- Resume
- Covering letter outlining the following (2 A4 pages max)
- your experience relevant to the role
- what has motivated you to apply and
- what you hope to contribute to the school community
- Resume with the names of 3 current referees (including current line manager).
- Complete CESAs Dayforce screening requirements

Applications via: HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL (7-12) POR 4 | Dayforce Jobs applications Close: 14 September 2026

📌 HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL (7-12) POR 4 (Mount Barker)
🏢 St Francis School
📍 Mount Barker