OUR LADY OF SION COLLEGE

ABOUT OUR COLLEGE

Our Lady of Sion College has a long and proud history of educating young women in the Box Hill and surrounding areas. The College was established in 1928 by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion and faithful to their vision and mission, the Biblical values of compassion, justice, reconciliation, peace and love are guiding principles that underpin all that we do. As a school of approximately 930 students and over 100 members of staff, we aspire to be a community where each student is named and known, valued and nurtured, encouraged and supported through the personal relationships we foster. 

Our Lady of Sion College Mission statement calls us to always ‘speak the truth in love’ and compels us to act in the pursuit of ‘justice’. Consistent with our mission as a Catholic school, the Our Lady of Sion College community is committed to a culture of child safety and a zero tolerance for child abuse. All staff are expected to uphold the primacy of the safety and wellbeing of our students. All staff must comply with the Our Lady of Sion Child Safe Code of Conduct and Child Safe policies. Our recruitment processes are strictly adhered to during the application and interview process. Applicants should be aware that the College undertakes VIT and referee checks as part of our employment practices. Applicants will also be required to submit certified copies of VIT registration and qualifications.

Our Mission

Our Lady of Sion College is a Catholic College where young women are encouraged to live in fidelity to the Word of God known in the Scriptures and the life of Jesus. These young women inherit the tradition of the Church and the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, which calls them to actively seek to transform the world.

This tradition calls them to be:

creative and contemplative, passionate and compassionate, concerned always for justice, truth, reconciliation and peace, and people who build bridges with others and remain open to change.

These young women will be offered opportunities that will enable them to become individuals filled with hope, who speak to the divine within themselves and beyond their imagining. They will become young women who will always strive to:

discover the presence of God, discern, have the courage to speak the truth, and the energy to act for change, and bring the gifts of healing and nurturing in places of discord.

Our Lady of Sion College imbues in our young women,

a sense of belonging to a tradition, a hunger for achieving what is right, and calls them in all things, to speak the truth in love.

Our Vision

Sowing the seeds of hope, uncovering excellence within

and inspiring a commitment to justice.

The Deputy Principal Faith and Mission assumes a significant senior leadership position, working collaboratively with the College Leadership Team and supporting the Principal to provide visionary leadership to the College community.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used to inform the selection process. Applicants are advised that a maximum of four pages should be used to respond to the criteria.

1. Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and ethos of the Catholic school

2. An understanding of and willingness to embrace the charism of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion

3. Exemplary leadership and vision in faith development, religious education, Catholic identity and College mission

4. Exemplary leadership and understanding of the issues specific to girls’ education

5. A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to legal and moral obligations relating to child safety

6. Ability to establish, maintain and continuously improve a flourishing holistic learning environment which is dynamic, engaging and challenging, and which seeks to foster staff and student faith formation

7. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to collaboratively work with and lead all members of the College community

8. Exemplary organisational and administrative skills

9. Proven record of success as a secondary teacher with an excellent knowledge of current educational theory and practice

10. Possess appropriate qualifications and experience in Religious Education/Theology including the attainment of, or be working towards post graduate qualifications in Theology or Educational Leadership

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must include:

A letter of introduction

A completed Deputy Principal Faith and Mission Application Form

A response to the Selection Criteria (no more than four pages in length)

A current Curriculum Vitae

Certified copies of VIT registration, under-graduate and post-graduate qualifications

Applicants are asked to forward all application documents as indicated above to the Principal via email: principal@sion.catholic.edu.au.

PROPOSED TIMELINE

Applications close: Monday, 1 August 2016 at 4:00pm

Interviews: Wednesday, 10 August 2016

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL FAITH AND MISSION

The role of the Deputy Principal Faith and Mission is to work with the Principal and Leadership Team to lead the College both strategically and practically through effective leadership and management. As a key leader in a Catholic school, the Deputy Principal Faith and Mission has the key role in promoting and celebrating the Catholic ethos and Sionian Charism in the life of the College community.

As a school founded by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, the Deputy Principal Faith and Mission must be formed in the Sionian Charism and be able to articulate this ethos both in word and action through their leadership, programs and innovation.

The Deputy Principal Faith and Mission therefore has two specific areas of focus. The first of these is a clear responsibility to the College Leadership Team with direct accountability to the Principal. This involves working collaboratively with the team to develop and implement the goals of the College. Secondly, the Deputy Principal Faith and Mission has direct and specific responsibility for the faith, mission and religious education dimensions of the College.

The Role:

As a Member of Leadership Team

In conjunction with the Leadership Team, promote the Mission, Vision, Catholic ethos and Sionian Charism in the life of the College community

Be supportive of the Leadership of the College and publicly exhibit this support Work in an honest, open, flexible, creative manner that contributes positively to the operations of the

Leadership Team Retain confidentiality and professional conduct at all times Work actively in the College community to implement directions and decisions of the College

Leadership Team Provide opportunities for staff input into Leadership Team considerations and provide appropriate and

comprehensive feedback Attend, and at times, lead College evening events as negotiated each term Represent the College Leadership in forums external to the College maintaining a consistent

representation Liaise effectively and collaboratively with the Principal in regard to issues relating to Leadership of the

College Act upon directions from the Principal in regard to the Leadership of the College and maintain loyalty to

the Principal and the Leadership Team

Responsibilities as the leader of Faith and Mission

Work proactively to understand and interpret the charism of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion within the context of the current times

Actively promote discussion of the charism of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion with all members of the College community

Inspire the College community to bring the Sionian charism to life Develop effective understanding of the dimensions relating to Catholic Identity, faith and mission of the

whole College community Provide a range of opportunities for all members of the College community to reflect upon and extend

their faith Promote issues to do with faith and spirituality throughout the wider school community With the assistance of the Religious Education Co-ordinator, ensure the Religious Education teaching

programs at all year levels are educationally rigorous, clearly documented and cover all essential learning of Religious Education in a Catholic and Sionian school

Promote prayer life and develop the liturgical life of the College in conjunction with the College Chaplain. These include, but are not limited to:

Opening School Year Eucharist for Staff Opening School Year Eucharist for Students Ash Wednesday Lenten Liturgy Year 7 Family Eucharist Sion Day Eucharist Anniversary Celebratory Eucharists Year 12 Graduation Eucharist End of Year Eucharistic Celebrations for Students End of Year Eucharistic Celebration for Staff Retreat day Eucharistic Celebrations for each year level

Liaise effectively with the College Chaplain in his role within the Our Lady of Sion College community Clearly articulate the College position on the place of Catholic Identity, faith and mission within

religious education and actively encourage reflection and rigorous discussion around this Implement the recommendations of the Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity project (ECSIP) Provide opportunities for student prayer, meditation, and reflection Develop, implement, evaluate and lead the Retreat days throughout the College at all year levels Work in conjunction with the Principal in staff spiritual and Charism formation and expression Raise awareness within the school community of the Church’s significant liturgical seasons and feasts Raise student awareness of wider Church activities and ministries, particularly related to the local

parishes Promote and oversee the provision of prayer as the beginning of all College gatherings and meetings Provide an induction program and ongoing professional development for new members of staff in the

areas of faith and mission Be available to staff regarding matters of Catholic Identity, faith and mission, in particularly in the area

of ensuring staff are aware of the Catholic beliefs and the Catholic ethos Develop, implement and evaluate the College Social Justice Policy Ensure that the Religious Education program, social justice activities and outreach programs

complement each other Co-ordinate faith and mission activities related to the Houses including the celebration days Encourage reflection on matters of faith, mission and spirituality in the fortnightly College newsletter,

other College publications, and on special school occasions

Promote and report on significant faith and mission activities to others within the College community Develop and update material related to Catholic Faith and Catholic schools for the Our Lady of Sion

College website, twitter, Facebook and intranet (Edumate) Be available to parents and others in the wider school community as a reference point for matters

concerning student faith and Catholic Identity Lead and coordinate, together with groups in the College, Sion Day celebrations. Involvement and coordination of student leaders, especially the Liturgy and Social Justice Captains Oversees the use of the College Chapel ensuring it is:

Maintained to promote prayer and contemplation Decorated to reflect the liturgical seasons Kept clean, tidy and in an excellent condition at all times

Oversee the purchase, storage and auditing of chapel resources Explore symbolism throughout the College as a powerful medium for articulation of faith Prepare the Faith and Mission, and Retreat annual budget and be responsible for the expenditure of

these monies Encourage and work with staff to advance their professional understanding of Theology, Religious

Education, the Catholic Identity, the College Mission, and their personal faith Ensure the Religious dimension is active within committees formed within the College

Development of Policy

Evaluate Archdiocesan policies in the light of the Sionian charism, advise where appropriate the Principal and Leadership Team of implementation processes and/or issues and concerns regarding implementation and communicate these effectively to teachers

Analyse the outcomes and impact of College policies and procedures on Catholic Identity and faith and mission of the College Community.

Contribute effectively to policy and procedures development

Committee Membership

The Deputy Principal Faith and Mission will be a member of at least the following committees: Leadership Team, Mission (chair), Health and Wellbeing, Risk Management, College Organisation, Properties, Social Justice, and Open Day.

Pastoral Care and Child Safety Provide students with a child-safe environment Be familiar with and comply with the Our Lady of Sion Child Safe Policy, Code of Conduct and

other policies and procedures relating to child safety Proactively monitor and support student wellbeing Exercise pastoral care in a manner which reflects College values Implement strategies which promote a healthy and positive learning environment

Other Duties as Deputy Principal

Lead and develop the Past Students Association and Alumni, in particular, Past Student reunions, use of College Chapel and facilities.

In conjunction with the other Deputy Principals, approve the final format and play an active role in all whole College events and public presentations and performances, Year Level after hours formal events, Information and Parent Evenings

In conjunction with the other Deputy Principals, implement and regularly evaluate the College Affirmation Policy and College Colours Program

Assist with the planning, coordination and evaluation of all College Assemblies Promote the wellbeing and care of staff in both their professional and personal needs

In conjunction with the other Deputy Principals, coordinate, support and implement the induction program for new staff and ongoing professional support through an effective mentor program

Complete administrative duties as required in the role of Deputy Principal Attend out of hours College events as a representative of College leadership Provide advice and support to staff in professional and work-related areas Oversee teacher punctuality and professional conduct Assist the Principal in the employment of new staff and the enrolment and interviewing of new students

and their families Play an active leadership role in the evaluation of the effectiveness of College programs, identify

strategies for improvement and facilitate appropriate change Oversee other programs and activities as designated by the Principal Undertake other duties as required by the Principal from time to time

This role description will be developed further to utilize the individual strengths and initiatives of the person appointed to the position in negotiation with the Principal

Tenure

The successful applicant will be appointed to Our Lady of Sion College as a teacher in an ongoing capacity. In being appointed to the position of Deputy Principal Faith and Mission, the successful applicant shall be appointed for an initial period of three years and following a successful performance appraisal, will be appointed for a further two years. At the conclusion of this fifth year, the position will be advertised and the incumbent will be eligible to apply.

Remuneration

The appointee’s salary is determined according to the enrolment of the school and will be at the Category B level of the Victorian Catholic Education Multi-Employer Agreement.

Further Remuneration: The Deputy Principal will also be issued with a College Mobile telephone, a city link road pass and an annual petrol allowance.

Salary Packaging: The Deputy Principal Faith and Mission is entitled to enter into Salary Packaging under current guidelines from the Catholic Education Office of Melbourne and subject to current legislative requirements.