Catholic schools are established by the Bishop of Lismore to promote the mission of Jesus Christ which He entrusted to His Church. They do this by ensuring Catholic schools are pastorally caring, quality learning environments where students are invited to engage in intentional discipleship of Jesus Christ and participation in the life of His Church. General Description: Assistant Principal (Mission) 2019 2021 Role Description Position title: Accountable to: Assistant Principal (Mission) Principal Overall Purpose of the Position: The Assistant Principal School (Mission) has a co-responsible leadership role in contributing to the ongoing creation of the parish school as an animated, effective centre of Catholic identity and mission which ignites students passion to live an intentional faith life within the Church. The Assistant Principal is a key member of the leadership team of a Catholic school. The assistant principal exercises a unique professional relationship of support and loyalty to the leadership of the principal and contributes in a way which shapes and implements the schools vision that reflects the Catholic character of the school. The Assistant Principal is directly responsible to the Principal for the performance of his/her duties and deputises in the absence of the principal. The assistant principal works closely with the principal in the complex nature of school leadership and to enhance their own professional learning. The Assistant Principal contributes to the collaborative decision-making processes and leads in the planning, implementation and evaluation of school goals. The Assistant Principal is an exemplary teacher who provides an excellent role model for other teachers in their understanding of quality learning and teaching that is holistic and informed by a distinctive Catholic Worldview. The role description for Assistant Principals in the Diocese of Lismore is drawn from six key accountabilities for leadership: Foundational Values for Catholic Identity and Mission Leading learning and teaching Developing self and others Leading improvement, innovation and change Leading the management of the school Engaging and working with the community.
Each key accountability for leadership is exemplified by the various indicators found within the role. The Parish School Leadership Team carries overall responsibility for the Catholic identity and mission of the school. Within the Leadership Team the Assistant Principal (Mission) has a particular role in: Developing school policy and practice regarding evangelisation and missionary discipleship, in particular promoting alignment between evangelisation and discipleship formation with students, staff and parents. Promoting the transmission of faith through the embedding of school policy and practice in Catechesis and Religious Education in engaging pedagogy. Enabling the permeation of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore, Foundational Values into all curriculum areas. Deputising for the Principal and/or other Assistant Principal in their absence. In common with all teachers in Catholic schools, the Assistant Principal (Mission) should bear witness to Jesus Christ through word and deed. The Assistant Principal (Mission) must be a committed Catholic who displays a demonstrable commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church in the area of faith and morals, along with participation in Sunday Eucharist, and maintains an active life in the Parish. Regarding the Overall Purpose of the Position Repent and believe in the Gospel (Mk 1:15), I will make you become fishers of men (Mk 1:17). This is the first call of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the evangelisation of all peoples at all times. With all her energies today, at the beginning of the Third Millennium, this call is still proclaimed by the Catholic Church in every part of the world. The Assistant Principal (Mission) in the Diocese of Lismore is a Catholic teacher commissioned with a particular responsibility within a Catholic school for maintaining, promoting and witnessing to its religious character and mission. The Assistant Principal (Mission), in common with all Catholic teachers has a duty deriving from the Sacrament of Baptism to be a witness to the faith of the Church, and is further commissioned to share in the apostolic mission represented by the Bishop within a particular Catholic school of the Diocese. Today, Christ s Church passes through a period of special difficulty in places where the faith once flourished but now needs to be planted afresh, as in a New Evangelisation. This applies no less among a significant proportion of the members of our parish school communities, where faith and attachment to Christ and His Church among many students, parents and even staff, does not match the regard in which a Catholic school is held for its human and educational qualities. The Assistant Principal (Mission) will need to have awareness regarding the effects of secularist thinking in our society, its causes, and the strategies which can counter opposition to Christian faith and the content of belief. This leadership position carries the responsibility to ensure that the school witnesses strongly and unequivocally to the Person and Teaching of Jesus Christ, transmitted in its fullness through the proclamation entrusted to His Church in communion with the Successor of Peter. The Assistant Principal (Mission) is thus related closely also to the mission of the Bishop and the priests of the parish. The Assistant Principal (Mission) will find a particular resonance in Pope Paul VI s remark in Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41 (1975) that Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses. It follows that 2 P a g e
anyone who would evangelise others must themselves first be evangelised. This will be demonstrated in a personal attachment to Christ through a deepening familiarity with his teaching in the Sacred Scriptures and those privileged sources of modern Church teaching and explanations of the Faith, The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) (1994, English translation 1997), The Compendium of the CCC (2005), and The Youth Catechism (YOUCAT) of the CCC (2010). The attachment of mind, heart and hands to Christ, Sacred Scripture and His Church required of those in leadership is formed through active engagement in the sacraments and is evident in both lifestyle and involvement within the local parish worship and community. On this foundation of witness and example by the Assistant Principal (Mission), in collaboration with others of similar commitment to the Faith, members of the parish school community lacking sufficient knowledge to form a structure of belief will be better enabled to do so. Through missionary discipleship, those of weaker faith will also be helped to further discover and develop an attraction to the good news of the Gospel, to Catholic practice and Christian living, within the communion of the Church. It is essential that the Assistant Principal (Mission) collaborates regularly with the Parish Priest, or his appointee, for guidance and direction. The Assistant Principal (Mission) will also collaborate with the Catholic Schools Office in the development and implementation of innovative ways to engage parents as authentic partners and the first educators in the faith of their children. The Assistant Principal (Mission) is a member of the Parish School Leadership Team and under the leadership of the Principal may be asked to assist in the general administration of the parish school without detracting from the Tasks and Responsibilities within the role. The appointee to the Assistant Principal (Mission) position is at the forefront of a new emphasis and direction in the transmission of the faith. It is essential that he / she be a practicing Catholic within a parish community. It is to be assured that the appointee will receive the appropriate education, formation and support in order to fulfil the role. This position description is issued with the clear direction that it will be implemented with integrity. There can be no variation to the Tasks and Responsibilities outlined in this document without the approval of the relevant Consultant from the School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team. However, it is recognised that the Principal and Assistant Principal (Mission) require flexibility in adapting the Tasks and Responsibilities to meet the needs of their parish school. Such adaptation is conducted in consultation with the School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team Consultant and the Parish Priest. Key Tasks and Responsibilities: 1. Integrates Catholic beliefs and practices into all aspects of teaching and learning by: Witnessing to and promoting Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore, Foundational Values for Catholic identity and Mission Collaborating with the Parish Priest and Parish School Leadership Team to promote school evangelisation, intentional discipleship formation and missionary discipleship for staff and students Inviting and encouraging staff and students to be active and committed members of the Catholic Parish community Promoting parish, school and parent partnership including parish sacramental aspects 3 P a g e
Assisting staff members to comply with the requirements of the Diocese of Lismore in the Accreditation Framework to Work, Teach and Lead Collaborating with the CSO School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team (SEACS) and Learning Services Team Collaborating with the Parish School Leadership Team and supporting Leaders of Learning to lead the permeation of the curriculum with a Catholic Worldview 2. Leading and implementing the School and Diocesan Strategic Plans and Accountabilities by: Ensuring the evangelical, discipleship formation and missionary dimensions of the Parish School vision statement are clearly understood, shared and permeated in all aspects of school life Contributing to and leading colleagues in the implementation of Catholic culture change, School Strategic Management Plans, School Improvement Plans (SIP) leading to improved learning, engagement and wellbeing outcomes for student discipleship and in Catechesis Developing and implementing relevant policies and processes to support colleagues compliance with and understanding of existing and new legislative, administrative, organisational and professional responsibilities Communicating Religious Education Curriculum updates through appropriate channels to parents and carers Supporting the integrated strategic planning at system and school level in day-to-day professional accountabilities, tasks, policies and responsibilities 3. Ensures the promotion of an effective, engaging and innovative Parish school evangelising community by: Understanding and developing missionary discipleship in the parish school community with strategies that provide opportunities for student discipleship formation within the school context Taking a leadership role in relevant professional and community networks and encouraging the involvement of colleagues in these networks Ensuring that the Parish School is a place of place of prayer and appropriate liturgy based in the Catholic tradition 4. Building the capacity of teachers for school evangelisation and discipleship formation by: Expanding collaborative professional learning opportunities related to liturgy, school evangelisation and discipleship formation Establishing and reviewing policies and practices that promote a positive climate of professionalism in School evangelisation and Catechesis Planning effective and timely retreat programs, charity and mission initiatives, Masses, liturgies, intentional student and staff formation with the Parish Priest and/or his Assistant 4 P a g e
Developing and modelling practices that support staff in engaging professionally with colleagues (particularly graduate and new experienced teachers, parents/carers and the community regarding discipleship formation best practice Mentoring specialist teachers of Catechesis in collaboration with the CSO School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services Team 5. Contributes to the development of co-responsible leadership by: Supporting the parish school s culture of high expectations, collaborative planning, and monitoring of student learning in Catechesis Taking a strategic role in the development and implementation of new and emerging technologies to enhance and enrich evangelisation and discipleship formation experiences Initiating processes to involve parents/carers in the faith formation of their children and in the broader school co-curricular evangelisation and discipleship programs Liaise and assist with ensuring the implementation of NESA and Diocesan curriculum requirements to meet registration and accreditation requirements 6. Creates and maintains supportive and safe learning environment by: Developing and maintaining a safe, supportive and secure environment where excellence in teaching/learning and Christian living is highly valued and learners feel safe, supported and secure Ensuring Workplace Health and Safety requirements and standards are maintained for all activities Evaluating and monitoring teaching and learning practices and evangelising and discipleship formation activities to ensure students experiences are valued and respected Initiating strategies and leading colleagues to implement effective classroom management strategies that promote student responsibility for their own learning Maintaining efficient systems for budget control and resource maintenance 7. Collaborative Negotiated Leadership Tasks include: Working collaboratively with the Leadership Team to establish organisational structures and processes for the daily organisation and running of the school Working collaboratively with the Leadership Team to establish organisational structures and processes to support the delivery of effective learning, teaching and wellbeing outcomes. Contributing to the strategic leadership of the school through the articulation of directions that enrich learning and teaching in the Parish school community. Ensuring the Domains of Strategic Intent are integrated into the school s philosophy, policies and procedures. Deputising for the Principal and/or other Assistant Principal in their absence. 5 P a g e
Qualifications and Skills Required (Selection Criteria) Assistant Principal (Mission) Relevant teaching and post graduate qualifications at Masters Level or above in Religious Education / Theology / Pastoral Ministry, or willingness to obtain Demonstrated ability to integrate Catholic beliefs and practices into all aspects of teaching and learning Experience leading and implementing the School and Diocesan Strategic Plans and Accountabilities Experience in promotion of effective, engaging and innovative Parish school evangelising community (including student evangelisation and Catechesis) Success in building the capacity of teachers for school evangelisation and discipleship formation Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development of co-responsible leadership Demonstrated ability to create and maintain supportive and safe learning environment Experience working collaboratively with strong negotiation skills Compliance with or progress towards compliance with Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead as prescribed by the Bishops of NSW. Key Capabilities from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: The capabilities are drawn from the Teaching Standards at Lead career stage and inform the capabilities required to operate at this level of leadership. The role holder will be recognised and respected by colleagues, parents/carers and the community as an exemplary teacher. They have demonstrated innovative teaching practice over time and regularly share this with colleagues. Inside and outside the school they initiate and lead activities that focus on improving learning, engagement and wellbeing outcomes for all students. They establish inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of students from different linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. They are skilled in mentoring teachers, using activities that develop knowledge, practice and professional engagement in others. They promote creative, innovative thinking among colleagues. They apply skills and in-depth knowledge and understanding to deliver effective lessons and learning opportunities and share this information with colleagues. They describe the relationship between highly effective teaching and learning in ways that inspire colleagues to improve their own professional practice. They represent the school and the teaching profession in the community. They are professional, ethical and respected individuals inside and outside the school. 6 P a g e