Stella Maris College Mission and Vision

Stella Maris College, Manly, is a Catholic secondary school for girls in Years 7 to 12, inspired by the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition. As one of ten schools nationally, that form the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) network, the College upholds a holistic and inclusive approach to education, grounded in the values of stewardship, mutuality, prayer, hospitality, humility, discernment, justice, and peace.

Informed by the Good Samaritan Philosophy of Education, Stella Maris is committed to fostering a learning environment that promotes innovative pedagogy across all areas of the curriculum while nurturing the personal, social, and spiritual growth of each student. At the heart of this commitment is a strong focus on pastoral care, which seeks to ensure that every student is known, valued, and supported to flourish.

The College encourages students to become grounded, hope-filled young people who are capable of deep listening, wise leadership, and compassionate engagement with others and the world. Pastoral care at Stella Maris is not a separate program but an integrated and relational approach that informs all aspects of school life, from the classroom to the co-curricular space, fostering a sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Stella Maris College is incorporated and governed locally by a Board of Directors, accountable through the Company Members to Good Samaritan Education.

Position Purpose

The College Counsellor is a member of the Wellbeing Team working under the leadership of the Assistant Principal Wellbeing. As a member of this team, the College Counsellor is committed to proactively preparing students with the skills required to navigate life as a teenager. The Wellbeing Team work collaboratively to support the social and emotional wellbeing of all students.

Key Responsibilities

The College Counsellor is responsible for providing individual and small group counselling to students, and to support them with issues of a personal, emotional, behavioural and/or social nature. The College Counsellor will work closely with members of the Wellbeing Team and will also provide support and guidance to school staff generally. Communication with parents and external professional agencies is also a part of this role.

The College Counsellor is accountable to the Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Head of Counselling.

Role Accountabilities

This will depend on qualifications and experience, however at a minimum will include:

Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development, including:

- Normal and abnormal adolescent development
- Common mental health disorders affecting adolescents

Provide counselling and small group programs for a range of mental health, emotional, social and family issues. This involves:

- Individual counselling
- Facilitating small group programs for students
- Some knowledge of evidence-based therapies

Plan evidence-based interventions in collaboration with other staff and mental health professionals. This involves:

- Knowledge and understanding of the diversity of the student population/school community
- Creating student Wellbeing Plans
- Writing reports and professional letters
- Liaising with external agencies and practitioners
- Developing links with relevant community agencies
- Referral to external practitioners where required

A cooperative approach to supporting students.



This includes:

- The ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
- Effective communication with parents and guardians
- Providing support and advice to College Leadership
- Reporting to the Principal and/or Assistant Principal Wellbeing on matters relating to students at risk

Participate as a member of the College community, for example:

- Attend staff and Wellbeing meetings
- Attend camps and retreats as necessary
- Participate in College activities such as Stella Day, Opening Mass, carnivals

Provide professional learning, such as:

- Providing advice to staff regarding individual student needs
- Assist with the facilitation of professional learning for teaching staff
- Articles for the College newsletter

Respond to and assist with critical incidents and emergencies. This includes:

- Being a member of the Critical Incident Team
- Knowledge and understanding of the impact of traumatic events on emotional wellbeing
- Assisting in Critical Incident response, debriefing and counselling
- Assisting in the development and review of critical incident policies and plans
- Liaising with external service providers as needed
- Supporting staff and parents in managing their own responses to the crisis
- Complete Risk Assessments and Safety Plans

Maintenance of student information and records, including:

- Maintaining confidential counselling records
- Ensuring notes are well written and contemporaneous

Maintain professional competence and engage in continued professional learning. This includes:

- Familiarity of APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines
- Maintaining a skilled counselling relationship at all times
- Engaging in peer consultation
- Attending relevant workshops, seminars and meetings

Expectations

Memberships:

- Wellbeing Team
- Membership of and active participation in appropriate professional bodies
- Other associated teams or projects

Professionalism and Mission of Stella Maris College:

- Is punctual for all duties, presents self appropriately, following dress code as required
- Keeps privileged information, to which she/he is privy by virtue of the employment position, confidential
- Seeks feedback on own performance and responds to own training/development needs
- Maintains highly effective working relationship with all staff
- Fosters a collaborative work environment
- Promotes a healthy work workplace that empowers and develops the diverse talents of people
- Proactively and positively addresses issues to assist the resolution of conflict
- Contributes to the Mission and Vision of the College
- Complies with policies and directives issued by Stella Maris College including Child Safeguarding, Work Health and Safety and the Staff Code of Conduct
- Acknowledges that the Principal may change or designate additional duties from time to time

Criteria

Essential Criteria for the Role:

- Commitment to all Child Safeguarding Principles at Stella Maris College
- Ensuring that the GSE Philosophy on Education is reflected in leadership practice




- Counselling experience with adolescents
- A keen interest in, and understanding of, all areas of adolescent development
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with a range of people
- The ability to identify and address the specific social, emotional, learning and behavioural needs of students
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively; with students, staff and parents
- Demonstrated knowledge of current Child Protection Legislation
- The ability to plan, develop and deliver small group programs to students
- Excellent inter-personal skills
- A role model for staff, demonstrating professionalism and a commitment to the College’s values and mission

Highly Desirable Criteria for the Role:

- Registration as a psychologist, social worker or counsellor
- University qualifications
- Experience working in an educational environment
- Self-starter with high personal standards for work quality
- Flexible, responsive and adaptable

Length of Tenure

The College Counsellor is appointed on a temporary 12-month part-time (0.4FTE) contract.

Remuneration

To be discussed at interview based on qualifications and experience.

Conditions of Appointment

The College Counsellor is appointed by the College Principal.

The appointee will be required to undergo performance reviews.

Preferred applicants will be screened in accordance with Child Protection Legislation.

The appointee must hold a current Working with Children Check.

Workplace Health and Safety

Employees are responsible and accountable for:

- compliance with workplace policies and procedures for risk identification, risk assessment and risk control
- active participation in activities associated with the management of workplace health and safety
- identification and reporting of health and safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries and property damage at the workplace
- where required, correct utilisation of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment or Personal Protective Clothing

Child Secure Standards

Stella Maris College is committed to ensuring that all those engaged in the College promote the fundamental right of children and young people to be respected in a safe school environment. The College has zero tolerance of child abuse and expects all of staff to:

- be aware of, understand and comply with the College’s Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct, including the Child Safe Standards, and demonstrate behaviours in accordance with these
- be in possession of a current and valid Working with Children Check
- respond according to the College’s policies and procedures when interacting with children and young people, taking all allegations and concerns very seriously
- be committed to providing a safe environment for all children and young people, promoting physical, emotional, and cultural safety

Applications

Applications must include a 1-page cover letter addressed to the Principal including a response that details suitability for the role by addressing each point in the Essential Criteria and Highly Desirable Criteria (where applicable).

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Applications close Monday, 16 November 2026. Stella Maris College reserves the right to fill the position prior to this date should a suitable candidate be appointed.

📌 College Counsellor (Manly)
🏢 Stella Maris College
📍 Manly