Counsellor

Summerland Christian College is currently accepting applications for a College Counsellor to join our team at a suitable time in Term 2, 2024 or by negotiation. Applications close: Friday 10 May, 2024. The College may interview and/or employ suitable candidates before the closing date.

Summerland Christian College    

Summerland Christian College is K to 12 School located in Goonellabah on the NSW North Coast. The College also offers a transition to Trindy (transition to Kindergarten) program. The College is governed by Centre Church Lismore and is affiliated with Christian Schools Australia. The College has provided interdenominational Christian education in the local area for 45 years. Continuing to grow it is now in the process of double streaming from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The College is committed to offering a quality education with a distinctively Christian ethos. It provides a wide range of both academic, practical subjects and extra-curricular activities. The College has high expectations of students and staff and has achieved excellent educational outcomes in the past. The dedicated teaching staff seek the best for each student in their care, not only as a professional duty but also as a duty of faith.

While Summerland Christian College caters for children from Christian families, it welcomes enrolments from those willing to support an education based on Christian values. The 5 Core Values below inform all aspects of the College.

The living word;

Personalised education,

Academic achievement;

Partnering with parents; and

Christ centred.

Your opportunity    

We are looking for a suitably qualified Christian Psychologist or Counsellor to join our growing care team. 

Selection Criteria

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the following criteria. Please respond to the Selection Criteria (no more than two pages to accompany a cover letter and full CV) along with your application.

• Qualifications (post graduate preferred) in psychology, guidance and/or counselling, who is a member of an appropriate State/National body.
• Ability to work in a cooperative team environment;
• Ability and willingness to work within a Christian framework of service provision;
• An excellent understanding of current issues in child and adolescent development;
• Skills in community education and group work;
• Ability and willingness to implement proactive programmes, in consultation with teaching staff;
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to liaise with other professionals and organisations;
• Previous experience in working with children, adolescents, and families and a contemporary understanding of the legislative, reporting and regulatory obligations required for responsible practice;
• Drivers Licence;
• Ability to develop resources and intervention programmes;
• Digital literacy;
• School based experience.

College staff expectations

As an employee at Summerland Christian College you are required to:

Exhibit behaviour, through word and action, which reflects the ethos and Christian foundations of the school; 

Abide by the Staff Code of Conduct;

Be familiar with and follow school policies and procedures;

Carry out your responsibilities to the best of your ability and in a Christian, safe and professional manner; and

Reflect on your own work performance and seek further training or professional development opportunities to update your knowledge and skills to serve the College.

Role, responsibilities and accountabilities

Your role as College Counsellor at Summerland Christian College includes:

• Continuing to develop, implement and evaluate a counselling and referral service for students T-12 and their families;
• Facilitating group work for students, including preventative behavior management strategies, grief, and loss groups; social skills, leadership training and peer support;
• Liaising with other Christian wellbeing professionals, and establishing a network for cooperation and referral;
• Working with Government and other support services, to supplement the Christian services;
• Organising case conferences with teaching staff and parents, and supporting the implementation of agreed outcomes for particular students;
• Leading and facilitating appropriate professional development for staff in areas related to student wellbeing issues;
• Being involved in school camps as required;
• Attending staff meetings as required;
• Conducting parent support meetings;
• Working with teachers in the classroom contexts and to engage in (where required) discussion on social issues emanating from the syllabus;
• Providing mediation to assist in the resolution of student or parent issues.
• Observation of students in class and playground to assist with the development of Individual Education Programs (IEPs).

Personal competencies

As the College Counsellor at Summerland Christian College, you will display:

Interpersonal Relationships:

• Works effectively and co-operatively with other team members.
• Considers the impact of own actions on other team members, students, and parents.
• Is committed to behaviour that reflects the Fruits of the Spirit and in a manner that fosters a positive team approach.         

Professionalism:

Punctuality and adhering to timelines.

• Professional dress standard.
• Engagement and contribution.
• Adherence to code of conduct.                     

  Analysis & Problem Solving:

• Breaks information into component parts, patterns and relationships whilst maintaining a sense of big picture and purpose.
• Seeks further information or a greater understanding of a situation.
• Uses logical and rational judgement and criteria.
• Approaches situations from a Christian worldview.
• Thinks and works ethically and wisely.       

  Communication:

• Confidently represents self and the College.
• Effective in verbal, written, and electronic communication within and outside the College in English
• Adjusts style to suit the person and the scenario.

Forward Thinking & Planning:

• Anticipates tasks, situations and future events taking into account the College calendar, colleagues, and others.
• Manages time effectively.
• Anticipates implications due to changed circumstances. 

  Responsibility & Accountability:

• Demonstrates initiative.
• Responds positively to accountability and direction.
• Is accountable for their decisions and individual outcomes  

Adaptability:

• Adopts a flexible approach to new or changing situations.
• Is open to suggestions for doing things differently.
• Encourages others to embrace new ways of doing things    

Decisiveness:

• Prepared to make decisions.
• Makes timely decisions.
• Commits to a definite course of action.
• Decisions and actions taken are appropriate to the situation

        Productivity:

• Has processes to achieve required outcomes.
• Maintains quality at all times.
• Uses assigned resources to achieve desired objectives.

Summerland Christian College is a child safe environment. We are committed to child safety and to promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of all children.