Head Of Boarding - Holy Spirit College, Cooktown

Head of Boarding 

Holy Spirit College - Cooktown is inviting applications from experienced, innovative, compassionate leaders for the position of Head of Boarding to join the College.

Commencement Date: Monday 25 March 2024

Employment Type: Term Time, Permanent 

Salary: SOF Level 7 - $49.62 to $53.28 Gross per hour pending experience + applicable allowances

Closing Date for Applications: 5pm, Sunday 17 March 2024 (extended to 5pm, Sunday 24 March 2024)

Holy Spirit College, Cooktown

The College is an initiative of the Diocese of Cairns and Catholic Education Services. The College offers individualised and flexible multiyear secondary education programs for young people disengaged from mainstream schooling. The College provides a variety of innovative teaching and learning practices that acknowledges young people’s complex education and social needs and empowers them to identify and pursue individual transition to adulthood, further education, employment, back to a mainstream school setting and importantly a connection to the community. Staff at the College will be multi-disciplinary in response to the diverse needs of young people and their families.

The College is a registered Special Assistance School across three campuses located within Edmonton. Manoora and the main campus in Cooktown. Cooktown has an enrolment for 38 young people in. The Cooktown campus includes a 32-bed years 7 to 12 residential unit for weekly and full-time boarders. While Manoora and Edmonton provide alternative educational pathways via day schooling for young people in years 7 to 12.

Young people who attend Holy Spirit College include Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people disengaged from mainstream education for a range of reasons including:

• with a history of complex trauma;
• with a history of extended periods of unexplained absences;
• who are highly mobile;
• who have had contact with the juvenile justice system;
• in the care of the Office of Children and Families;
• with mental illness or at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviours or substance abuse;
• who have been excluded or repeatedly suspended from school;
• who are homeless;
• with a generational history of early school leaving and/or unemployment.

About the Role

Help us create a home away from home for our young people boarding at Holy Spirit College, Cooktown.  

The Head of Boarding will lead and manage the College’s Cooktown residential boarding services and staff and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the boarding houses. Our on-site boarding residences accommodate up to 32 students and is open seven days a week during term time. Our on-site boarding residences are co-educational, with one house for young women and one for young men ages 12 to 18 years. The Head of Boarding will work in support of the Head of Campus and College Principal to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people in residence, advocating for their wellbeing, holistic development, and academic progress. 

The purpose of this position is to:

• Develop and implement current and future programs for Boarding at Holy Spirit College - Cooktown.
• Build a vibrant and positive culture that will transform the lives of young people.
• Inspire and lead the boarding staff and young people in the Boarding Houses.
• Manage and participate in the overall pastoral care, child safety, supervision, and cocurricular activities for the boarding community
• Ensure that the service operates efficiently
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Campus

This management role will assist in establishing, maintaining, reviewing and reporting on goals for Boarding in the Strategic Plan and contribute to future marketing strategies. The Head of Boarding will lead and manage the College’s Residential services and staff and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Boarding Houses. Routine matters are delegated to Boarding Supervisors as appropriate.

The Head of Boarding is an active hands-on role, which includes the supervision of young people as well as staff. In addition, the person collaborates with fellow leaders in the strategic and operational leadership of the College.

The College is currently seeking a Head of Boarding who will be available to work a range of shifts including weekday evenings, weekends, and sleepovers. They must also be willing to work across both Boys and Girls Boarding. 

Work Requirements

• Hold a Working with Children Blue Card
• Current first aid qualifications including CPR
• Be fully supportive of the ethos of Catholic Education

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Tutoring, nursing, youth work or residential care experience would be highly advantageous
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work collegially in a team environment
• Demonstrate personal maturity and a warm and welcoming manner
• A current CPR, First Aid and Duty of Care Certificate or be willing to obtain these credentials
• A current LR bus licence or willingness to obtain within one month of employment
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card) or willingness to obtain

What we offer

• The successful applicant will be provided with residential accommodation within the boarding precinct (inclusive of utilities), along with meals whilst on shift in the dining room. 
• First Aid training and Duty of Care professional development
• Support and guidance with access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Program -  Assure 
• Access to salary packaging options to maximise your salary (SPA or Resmserv)  
• Generous superannuation of 12.75%
• Secure employment backed by a strong collective agreement, with yearly EBA increases
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service (portability of Long Service Leave may also be applicable)
• 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave 

For further information about the role, please download the Position Description  Head of Boarding Cooktown.pdf

Intending applicants must be fully committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

Catholic Education is an equal opportunity employer.

Enquiries Acting PrincipalBrendon Napier0412 261 ***************@cns.catholic.edu.au