College Counsellor

COLLEGE COUNSELLOR 

We are seeking an outstanding and enthusiastic health and wellbeing professional to join our team at St John Bosco College.  This role would be suitable for a counsellor, social worker or psychologist. 

This position is a full-time ongoing position working 45 weeks, commencing as soon as possible. There is an option to work term time only.       

St John Bosco College is a Catholic co-educational College in its tenth year of operation. The College is situated in Piara Waters, a southern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. We commenced in 2015 with students from Kindergarten to Year 2. In 2024, we have 1200 students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 11, as well as an OSHC facility and an Aboriginal Families as First Educators Playgroup. In 2025, we will grow to a Pre-K-12 College. Our innovative building design has a focus on shared, flexible learning spaces which support best practice, 21st century teaching and learning methods. Our outstanding facilities include an Early Learning Centre, Junior Primary and Upper Primary studios, grass play areas, junior and senior ovals, soccer and hockey pitch and multi-purpose hard court play areas, enclosed Assembly Space, library, Science Learning Centre, a two-storey Arts and Technology Learning Centre, Middle Learning Centre, dedicated Administration and ample parking. In 2024, we opened our College Sport and Recreation Centre and a new two-storey Secondary Learning Centre, with construction on our College Cafeteria planned for later in the year.   

The College motto “JOY IN LEARNING” is strongly exemplified in the person, life and teachings of our patron, St John Bosco. Our vision for this new Pre-Kindergarten-Year 12 College is creating a flourishing environment in which every student can experience joy in learning and thrive in a Catholic learning community, where development of the whole person is of utmost importance. The mission of staff is nurturing our students so that they can become successful learners, confident, creative, and active informed citizens, who are able to contribute positively to society. Our philosophy of education at St John Bosco focuses on the image of the child, the learning process, the environment, partnerships, and community.   

Applications Close:  Monday 20 May, 2024 at 5pm  

The health and wellbeing professional provides a College-based service to support ongoing development for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 students and their families in psycho-social skills, mental health, wellbeing, and learning. The health and wellbeing professional also supports the management of students with emotional and behavioural challenges, with the goal of maximising each student’s learning potential. The health and wellbeing professional works collaboratively with College Pastoral Care Team, including the other College Counsellor, College Leadership, Heads of Year, Heads of Learning Area, Learning Support, Teachers and Student Services.  

This role includes, but is not limited to: 

• Working effectively as part of a wider College Pastoral Care Team 
• Supporting Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 students where social and emotional issues may be impacting their ability to learn 
• Providing resources to enhance coping strategies 
• Collaborating with staff to develop and deliver social and emotional programs in classes 
• Development of collaborative action plans; including, Risk Management Plans, Ready to Learn Plans, Behavioural Plans and Attendance Plans 
• Supporting staff in the management of students with emotional and behavioural challenges 
• Maintaining regular meetings, contact and case management with key support staff for each individual and/or year group 
• Ongoing participation in and development of whole college wellbeing initiatives 

Special skills are needed to be involved in a Foundation College and applications are invited from applicants who possess the following attributes: 

• Be a creative, flexible and enthusiastic Counsellor/Social Worker in supporting students and their families 
• Nurture positive, mature and respectful relationships with students, staff and families 
• Be able to provide support for the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and strategies to support the College Community 
• Participate actively in ongoing professional learning. 
• Be competent in the use of digital technologies 
• Be able to work closely with the College Community 
• Show initiative and participate fully in College activities, including co-curricular programs 
• Be an enthusiastic and cooperative team person who will work collaboratively with all staff   
• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and excellent communication and organisational skills 

Essential 

• Accreditation requirements as specified by Catholic Education WA. All counselling staff must have completed, or undertake to complete, Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic school.   
• Relevant Tertiary qualifications; preferably a degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work or similar. 
• Eligibility to join the relevant professional organisation, e.g. AASW, ACA, AHPRA or PACFA 
• A current National Police History Check as issued by the Department of Education Western Australia must also be included. The appropriate Criminal History Record Check form is available from the Department of Education website http://www.det.wa.edu.au/screening/detcms/portal/ 
• On appointment, successful applicants will require a Working with Children Check. Application forms are available at certain Australia Post Outlets throughout the State. A list of participating Australia Post outlets can be found on the Australia Post web site at http://apps.nowwhere.com.au/austpost/postofficelocator/. An application for a WWC must be made in person. 

Catholic Education Western Australia encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. To be eligible to apply for this role you must be legally permitted to work in Australia. 

Applicants must be fully supportive of the objectives and ethos of Catholic education. 

Desirable 

• Experience working within schools 
• Experience of working with Trauma Informed Practice 
• Gatekeeper trained 
• Knowledge of Berry Street Educational Model 

Further Information 

All queries should be directed to Mr Kevin Sheehy on 9234 9600 or by email to ************@cewa.edu.au 

To Apply 

Applications must be directly to the College. Applications made directly via Seek will not be considered.

Applicants must submit an application form and a letter of application, explaining your reasons for applying for this position and address the special skills that are needed to be involved in a Foundation College.  

This must be addressed to the Principal, including the names and contact numbers of three referees, one of whom must be the current employer.   

Applications can be obtained from the College website and all required information forwarded for the attention of the Principal by email to **********@stjohnbosco.wa.edu.au 

Applications Close: Monday 20 May, 2024 at 5pm