Full time position commencing Term 1, **** The College seeks a Head of Visual Arts who has effective and innovative skills and a leader of learning.
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 Valuable 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 Head of the Visual Arts Department gives expression to the College's Mission and Vision by leading a department focussed on working with students, staff and parents to develop a positive learning culture centred on best practice. They will be an expert in the NSW Visual Arts curriculum who can mentor their staff to be a highly functioning collaborative team. They will be an accomplished leader who has effective and innovative skills as a leader of learning.
Key Responsibilities
The Head of Visual Arts Department's key responsibility is the provision of an approved and appropriately challenging curriculum from Years 7-12. The curriculum offered should enable all students to thrive as they develop their knowledge, skills and love of learning. The Head of Department will be an expert classroom teacher, (see page 5-6), administrator and leader of innovation and best practice. The Head of Department, as a visible leader in the College, will also assist with College initiatives, events and the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
The Head of the Visual Arts Department:
Assists in the development of Stella Maris College as a faith community by:
Giving personal witness to Gospel and in particular Benedictine values in carrying out the day-to-day duties of the position and in their communications with members o the Stella Maris community
Contributing to the development of the College's Catholic culture through the promotion of Benedictine values and support for the prayer and liturgical life of the College
Supporting the College's pastoral care policy by promoting positive education strategies

Collaborates in the promotion of the College as a centre of excellence in teaching and learning by:
Leading the development and implementation of quality teaching programs, incorporating a process for consultation and review
Organising assessment schedules, procedures and task allocations to conduct rich and valid assessment programs
Encouraging and facilitating appropriate forums for cooperative planning, the sharing of ideas and decision making




Supporting teachers in their relationships with students and in their classroom management
Ensuring College reporting procedures and schedules are followed by department staff
Ensuring requirements relating to compliance are met by the department including preparation for registration and accreditation
Being an expert teacher who mentors staff in current, effective teaching practices and facilitates their professional learning
Working with department staff, the Head of Inclusive Learning and support staff to foster inclusive learning for all students through differentiation of the curriculum
Leading consultation, collaboration and communication to build capacity in the department team
Promoting quality pedagogy that is rich, real and relevant for students including the use of technology to support learning experiences
Coordinating the sharing and storing of resources in SharePoint
Connecting with other schools and organisations to share resources, skills and build networks
Working as part of the HODs team to implement the College's vision for learning
Overseeing the academic progress of students in visual arts – monitoring, tracking and reporting on student progress
Maintains College compliance procedures

Provides strong and strategic leadership of the department by:
Building capacity in department teachers to work as a collaborative and cohesive team
Exploring with staff areas of responsibility for developing their leadership skills
Building a professional learning community within the department to conduct conversations about teaching practices and current research
Sharing an understanding of the AITSL standards and promoting the progress of staff through the levels of accomplishment
Giving leadership to aspects of the implementation and evaluation of the College Strategic Plan to create a vision for the department
Discussing and incorporating best evidence-based practice from current research
Meeting with department staff regularly to ensure staff are informed and on target to meet College and NESA deadlines
Staying up to date with relevant NESA initiatives, directions and syllabus changes and discussing with department members
Presenting, analysing and leading discussions on the use of data to inform teaching practice
Taking responsibility for the induction, mentoring and performance management of teachers and assistants in the department
Leading the College professional review process for the department
Managing the department budget to ensure sustainability
Managing the Art Assistant to ensure support of teaching and learning in Visual Arts

Contributes to the effective leadership and administration of the College by:
Actively supporting and implementing College policies and initiatives.
Ensuring that confidentiality is maintained in dealings with parents, students and staff members as appropriate.
Undertaking other such tasks and responsibilities as may be required due to emerging priorities in the College.
Taking an active role in the College and supporting initiatives to implement change
Contributing to the development of an environment that is welcoming, hospitable, life-giving, compassionate and just.
Dealing with students in positive and growth promoting ways and displaying a respect of the individual.

Expectations and Selection Criteria




Relevant teaching qualifications and experience teaching visual arts with a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in a school.
Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, programs and processes.
Highly developed organisational skills, effectively maintaining deadlines.
A demonstrated ability to work in high-pressure situations, with changing priorities.
A strong commitment to promoting Catholic Good Samaritan values.
A proven ability to work in a collaborative environment as a member of a team and as a leader of a team.
Expertise as a proficient teacher able to model and coach quality teaching practices.

Conditions of Appointment
The Head of Department is appointed by the College Principal
The position will carry a 1-point Coordinator allowance in salary, with an appropriate time allocation.
The Head of Department is a permanent position subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probation period.
Applicants must be accredited with NESA as a proficient teacher and have appropriate qualifications.
Preferred applicants will be screened in accordance with Child Protection Legislation.
The appointee must hold a current Working with Children Check.
This Role Description may be subject to change at the discretion of the College Principal at any time. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and accountabilities.

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

Child Safe 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:
An expression of Interest addressed to the Principal, including a one-page response that outlines your motivation for applying and demonstrates your suitability for the role by addressing each point in the Expectations and Selection Criteria
An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
Copies of Academic Qualifications are required at the time of application (if not already held on file at the College)

Only electronic applications will be accepted.
Applications close at9am, Monday 23rd November ****. Stella Maris reserves the right to fill the position prior to this date should a suitable candidate be appointed.
Stella Maris College is a Year 7-12 girls school committed to providing an inclusive education through the provision of quality learning experiences which enhance the students' understanding of our Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, promote individual creativity and develop their academic potential. Stella graduates leave school prepared to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st Century.

📌 Head Of Visual Arts (Brisbane)
🏢 Stella Maris College
📍 Brisbane