Director of Rathfarnham - Position Description

Clendon Centre Director of

Rathfarnham (Head of Junior School)

Position Description 2023

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Summary Following 12 years of outstanding leadership at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, Mrs Catherine Maimone Crowhurst is resigning her position as Director of Rathfarnham.

Applications are now invited for this key leadership position at Loreto Toorak.

The successful candidate should be available to take up the appointment in January 2023 and it is anticipated that there will be opportunities during the latter part of 2022 for the appointed candidate to visit the School and receive a comprehensive handover.

“Leave something behind on which others can build.”

Mother Gorgonza Barry

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The School Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak is an Independent Catholic School, firmly grounded in the over 400-year-old worldwide Loreto tradition of education and is acknowledged as one of the foremost schools in Australia.

Loreto Toorak is currently the leading Catholic School in Victoria based on VCE results. It is highly regarded for its academic, pastoral, social justice, cultural and sporting programs. With an enrolment of approximately 1,200

girls from Preparatory to Year 12, Loreto Toorak is committed to developing young women who are well educated, well-informed and able to thrive and contribute as responsible global citizens.

The School’s faith-based education supports its vision to form young women who are confident, independent, compassionate and gracious, with character and intellectual formation of the highest calibre.

“Loreto Toorak is committed to developing young women who are well-educated, wellinformed and able to thrive...”

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Strategic Direction During the next three years the School’s vision and aims will be achieved with a key emphasis on the successful implementation of the following strategic priorities:

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Inspiring and motivating staff

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Facilities, resources and infrastructure

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Financial strength

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Student formation

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Community engagement

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Leading excellence in learning and teaching

Loreto Toorak Strategic Direction 2025

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Rathfarnham The name Rathfarnham is richly steeped in Loreto history. In 1821, following the completion of her studies and religious formation, Mother Frances Teresa Ball left the Bar Convent in York

There is a broad range of curriculum in Rathfarnham.

Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Positive Education and Religious Education.

“The name Rathfarnham is richly steeped in Loreto history.” and returned to her home in Ireland where she opened the first Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rathfarnham, four miles from Dublin.

In 1875, Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry and her companions set sail from Rathfarnham Abbey for Australia to establish the first Loreto school in Ballarat.

Specialist subjects include Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Coding, Chinese (Mandarin) Indonesian, Italian and French.

Loreto Toorak is a member of Schools Sport Victoria and students compete with several schools in a range of sports across various year levels.

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The Position The Director of Rathfarnham is responsible for our Junior School (Preparatory to Year 6), ensuring the quality of the academic, pastoral and co-curricular programs. They have a duty of care to the students and staff within Rathfarnham, ensuring all activities are conducted in a childsafe environment. This takes place within a whole school context which continues through to Year 12. The Director of Rathfarnham is a member of the Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Principal.

Key accountabilities of the role

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include Executive Leadership responsibilities, whereby the incumbent will contribute effectively to the strategic thinking of the Leadership Team.

Cultural and Religious Leadership capabilities will ensure an ongoing culture in the School that is in harmony with Catholic tradition, the charism of Mary Ward and the heritage of Loreto.

Further responsibilities include: • Guide the Junior School leadership team, building capacity across staff and ensuring the smooth

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operations of Rathfarnham, in alignment with the whole School.

Collaborate with Deputy Principal - Studies to ensure coherent and best practice teaching and learning approaches across the School.

Drive a culture of continuous improvement in our staff professional learning program, ensuring we are student focused at all times.

Coordinate timely and effective communication with students, parents, staff and broader community.

Develop, implement and evaluate School policies and procedures, in particular those related to risk, safety and compliance.

Ensure that Loreto Toorak is a Child Safe School and that the Child Safe Code of Conduct is observed.

Ensure the approach to student wellbeing and

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pastoral care is considered and holistic, responsive to latest research and evaluated against evidence from longitudinal studies such as Resilient Youth Australia Survey.

Nurture a cohesive community with the Leadership Team, Staff, Students and the broader Loreto community.

Develop a culture of respect and generosity of spirit that typifies a Catholic School identity.

Ensure that every member of the School community feels valued, included and respected. Support initiatives of parents and other groups working within the School by attending events and functions.

Review and respond appropriately to feedback from parent/staff surveys; including on external data on School performance.

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Qualifications & Skills • • • • • • • • • •

Evidence of a personal commitment to learning, including relevant tertiary qualifications (Masters level preferred) Exemplary and experienced classroom practitioner Significant leadership experience within a primary educational context An insightful understanding of the latest thinking and research into how children - and specifically girls – learn Knowledge and experience in development of best-practice curriculum and pedagogy Demonstrate an understanding of pastoral issues and student wellbeing Demonstrate a high level of skill in listening, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution with students, staff, and parents Accomplished public speaker with well-developed communication skills Ability to displays a high level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain positive relationships Ability to promote Rathfarnham and the School and work closely with the Admissions Department to secure enrolments

Applicants must have full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching including a current National Criminal Check.

A commitment to the School’s Catholic ethos, in the tradition of Mary Ward, is also essential.

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Conditions of Employment Staff at Loreto Toorak work under the conditions of the Catholic Education Victoria Award.

A flexible salary package will be offered which includes superannuation and fee concessions for any daughters of successful applicant.

The leadership appointment will be for a term of five years, with an accompanying offer of an ongoing teaching role at Loreto Toorak.

Applications Applications should include a full Curriculum Vitae and the names and contact details of at least three professional referees.

Applications should be marked confidential and emailed to: Ms Angela O’Dwyer principal@loretotoorak.vic.edu.au The closing date for applications is Friday 10 June 2022. Please direct any queries to the Executive Assistant to the Principal, Ms Karen Christie via karen.christie@loretotoorak.vic.edu.au

Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak is a child safe employer and is committed to the welfare of children and their protection. All potential employees and volunteers will be required to comply with the School’s Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct. Applicants will be required to undergo police and background checks in accordance with this policy.

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THE CHALLENGES SHE NEEDS

10 Mandeville Crescent Toorak Victoria 3142 +61 3 8290 7500 admissions@loretotoorak .vic.edu.au www.loretotoorak.vic.edu.au 12