Since 1968, Marist College has been a part of and had its footprints on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples As a College, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship they have to this land and commit ourselves to the challenge of Closing the Gap and the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.
OUR MISSION
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10)
We are a Catholic school in the tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat that strives to make Jesus known and loved through forming young men of strong minds and gentle hearts.
OUR VISION
Underpinned by the knowledge we are deeply loved by God, and with Mary as our inspiration and guide, we endeavour to be authentic witnesses to the Gospel who:
Dare to engage in the spiritual and intellectual adventure before us safeguard all in our care Are anchored in authentic presence through communion, Sacrament and prayer Are transformative in educating for truth, depth and choice Cherish human dignity
We live this for the Marist graduate who we hope: is restless for God and alert to the Spirit embraces mystery and seeks a deep relationship with Christ is nurtured by contemplation is committed to intellectual rigour, learning and achievement aspires to live in gratitude with joy encounters the daily company of empathy and forgiveness moves towards and accompanies the least, the lost and the lonely is a steward of creation looks to the future with audacity and hope
The Role
The Principal of Marist College Canberra will be appointed by and accountable to the National Director of Marist School’s Australia The Principal’s immediate line of accountability is the Regional Director of NSW The role of Principal has been historically and currently titled ‘Headmaster’ at the College
A Marist College is a centre of contemporary evangelisation, learning and life. It has the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith at its heart, and is a community where Jesus is known and loved
The charism of Marcellin Champagnat is embedded in the Marist philosophy of education St Marcellin Champagnat wished for Marist schools to have a family spirit, where all would relate and belong to each other as members of a loving family intuitively do Parents, staff and MSA Ltd work in partnership with each other to nurture, teach, gather, reconcile and stand with young people as they encounter reason and means to believe, to hope and to love.
The Principal is a steward of the College’s Catholic identity and Marist spirituality and gives expression to this in ways that are highly relational and collaborative In accepting and fulfilling the role, the Headmaster undertakes to:
Headmaster
Headmaster
Give authentic witness to a personal faith in Jesus Christ, practised within the Catholic tradition;
Make Jesus Christ known and loved through experiences and programs that bring faith, culture and life into harmony;
Foster the development of Marist spirituality among students and staff;
Ensure that the College is marked by a ‘family spirit’as understood in the Marist tradition; Actively promotethe Marist ministries among staff, currentparents, and past students and parents;
Ensure a quality education and embed a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in learning and teaching; Serve as a faithful steward of the College’s resources;
Foster governance relationships with MSA Ltd characterised by co-responsibility, respect, appropriate communication, and adherence to accountability and policy requirements;
Participate in leadership, management and formation programsmade available throughMSA Ltd, Marist communities and ministries, Catholic Education and professional associations;
Establish and maintain supportive working relationships with the Principals of other Catholic and Marist Colleges and with educational service providers;
Participate in goal settingand formative and summative appraisal processes required by MSA Ltd
Core Responsibilities
The Principal’s core responsibilities are grounded in six domains of leadership:
1. Spiritual Leadership
2. Educational Leadership
3 Child Safeguarding
4. Community Leadership
5 Strategic Leadership
6. Administrative Leadership
1) Spiritual Leadership
The Principal shall: provide a clear sense of purpose and mission in articulating the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beliefs of the Catholic Church; develop the College as a vital faith community that is a genuine expression of Church; ensure the College is integrally involvedin the life and missionof the local Church; draw on Marist spirituality, in the tradition of Saint Marcellin de Champagnat, to lead the members of the College to incarnate the Gospel of Jesus; work actively to assist staff develop their religious faith, their participation in the life of the Church, and their connection with the Marist Association, other Marists communities and ministries; ensure that the Catholic faith is proclaimed, taught and nurtured through effective religious education curriculum; ensure the provision of engaging prayer and worship, coordinated retreat and outreach programs, and the infusion of Gospel values through all College activities; support and resource staff to fulfil diocesan and MSA Ltd accreditation standards for teaching in a Marist College
2) Educational Leadership
The Principal shall: aspire to the continuous growth and engagement of each student and the attainment of their highest achievable academic outcomes; build and embed a culture of high expectations in learning and teaching; empower staff to embrace innovative practice and professional growth; ensure the provision of a broad and engaging curriculum which meets the learning needs of students; regularly evaluate the College’s curricular and co-curricular programs to ensure they reflect national, state and local community expectations; ensure that staff professional learning reflects priorities as articulated in the College’s Strategic Improvement Plan.
Core Responsibilities
build and maintain a College culture where the safety of all members, especially students, is safeguarded; promote an inclusive and culturally safe community which celebrates diversity and difference and which promotes the participation and empowerment of students to feel safe and be safe; ensure the College has a range of policies and practices in place for keeping students safe from harm, including all forms of abuse in the College environment – on campus, online and in other locations where College activities occur; ensure pre-employment screening of staff and appropriate trainingfor staff to fulfil their legal, professional and moral responsibilities pertaining to child safeguarding; ensure accountability and quality assurance measures are in place to fulfil compliance with child safeguarding legislative requirements of the College’s jurisdiction; work in partnership with families and community agencies to reduce or remove risks to the personal safety and wellbeing of students
exercise a leadership style that is open, relational and collaborative; ensure that the College’s expectations of staff and students are clearly articulated and that the standards and values of the College are maintained; provide for the effective pastoral care of students and guide the processes for identifying and responding to student needs;
ensure that both enrolment and employment practices are transparent, just, inclusive and consistent with Marist values and MSA Ltd policies; maintain sensitive and close links with the resident Marist Brothers’ community (if one is present), seeking to involve the Brothers in the life of the College in appropriate and welcoming ways; actively promote involvement in Marist ministries and support their ongoing formation and outreach activities; maintain effective relationships with parent groups, former students’ associations and any other auxiliary and advisory groups for the benefit of students and the College
Core Responsibilities
4) Strategic Leadership
The Principal shall: ensure that the College has an integrated, well developed Strategic Improvement Plan that is responsive to cyclic reviews; promote and enhance the profile of the College in the wider community; maintain enrolments at desired levels; exercise discretion with respect to enrolments and financial support for families most in need; work collaboratively with the College’s Advisory Council and be responsible for the formation of the Council; ensure that College resources and facilities support the curriculum and that financial projections allow for the suitable upgrades and sustainable development; work proactively to attract funds for the College through Commonwealth and State grants and local fundraising strategies; collaborate with other leaders of Marist communities and ministries for the maintenance and development of Marist spirituality and mission; align the school’s strategic priorities with those of MSA Ltd as required
5) Administrative Leadership
The Principal shall: meet all quality assurance, risk management and legal compliance expectations of statutory authorities, MSA Ltd and Catholic education authorities; exercise prudent financial management and wise stewardship of the College’s properties and resources; plan and manage capitalworks in accordance with MSA Ltd policies; develop and maintain effective processes for communicating with all key groups in the College community; appropriately delegate authority and responsibilities whilst maintaining oversight of the delegations; ensure that all members of the staff have effective role descriptions and appropriate means of performance review; ensure comprehensive development and review of College policies and procedures; implement all MSA Ltd policies that apply to the College
Related Policies
MSA Ltd Policy - Delegations Policy
MSA Ltd Policy – Executive Limitations
MSA Ltd Policy – Principal Enrichment Leave
MSA Ltd Policy – Risk Management and Compliance
MSA Ltd Policy – Child Safeguarding
MSA Ltd Policy – Financial Management: Responsibilities of Principals
MSA Ltd Policy – Performance Reviewof a Principal
MSA Ltd Policy – Staff Recruitment Practices
MSA Ltd Policy – Staff Accreditation
MSA Ltd Policy – Strategic Improvement Plans
Essential Criteria
Applicants will need to demonstrate:
(text to be confirmed here...)
A commitment to Catholic education in the Marist tradition and a willingness to contribute to the life of the College
Accreditation for ‘Senior Leadership’ in an MSA or Catholic school (Accreditation E)
An active commitment to their local Catholic parish
A College-wide vision for learning and teaching with a capacity to motivate, enthuse and lead staff in fulfilling their duties and improve learning outcomes for all students through the implementation of Explicit Instruction.
Exemplary innovative pedagogical skills, and an understanding and passion for boys’ education with an extensive knowledge of current learning theory and practice
The ability to facilitate effective change and develop high-quality policies and procedures to support initiatives
Skills to lead and manage in a consultative and collaborative way and to demonstrate high-level interpersonal skills in communication, liaison and negotiation
Effective management and organisational skills and administrative experience.
Other Requirements
All staff at the College must hold ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration, and have a understanding of and commitment to Child Safeguarding
Teaching staff must hold current ACT Teacher Quality Institute registration
Conditions
Terms and conditions here
A modern, four bedroom residence located in a nearby suburb to the College is included in the Headmaster’s package.
The successful applicant will be expected to be prepared and ready to take up the appointment from the commencement of Semester 1, 2027
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