K-6 Counsellor

Avondale School is seeking a suitably qualified, and passionate Counsellor, This is a part-time position  (15.2 hours/ 2 days a week) position commencing in late March 2024. 

Avondale School is a Preschool to Year 12 independent School, owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The school is located on an expansive rural campus in Cooranbong NSW, in the Lake Macquarie area. With a history of providing quality Christian education for over 120 years, our mission continues to focus on providing opportunities for students to know Christ, develop their full potential and cultivate a love of learning.

We seek to use our extensive resources and skilled staff team to deliver innovative learning and wellbeing opportunities that engage students and develop curiosity. We aspire to change the world one graduate at a time, through the development of character, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and citizenship.

Essential Criteria

The successful applicant will:

• Model and nurture an active relationship with Jesus and have a knowledge of and commitment to supporting the ethos and mission of Avondale School.
• Have the ability to build rapport with students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
• Demonstrate a passion for nurturing and supporting students.
• Have outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with students, other educators and parents.
• Have the ability to Implement therapeutic interventions and other well-being programs.
• Be willing to support students through family crisis issues such as death, divorce, illness, family violence or abuse.
• Determine student goals and strategies to be implemented through therapy.
• Provide education and support to students, families and/or their carers regarding mental health and contemporary developmental issues.
• Work collaboratively with teachers to support the mental health needs of students.
• Assist in the transition of students with complex needs from year to year.
• Guide students and families in the provision of specialist referral advice when required.
• Demonstrate an understanding of mandatory and statutory reporting requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proven ability to work as part of a cohesive team.
• Hold qualifications in counselling or psychology.
• Committed to child safety by providing a safe culture, safe operations and a safe environment. Only applicants with a Working With Children Check (WWCC) will be considered for this role.

The successful applicant will be provided with access to the Staff Handbook that sets out the expectations and requirements of employment at the school. Child protection legislation requires preferred applicants to be subject to employment screening. Avondale School supports the principles of equal opportunity employment and encourages diversity in the workplace.

Only those with a legal right to work in Australia may apply, and the appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and to close applications early.

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interest can be sent to the School Principal, Deb Cooper: *****@avondaleschool.nsw.edu.au. Please provide a supporting statement addressing the essential and desirable criteria as detailed in the position description, a CV listing qualifications and experience, and the contact details of three referees.