Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Selection Criteria and Duty Statements for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators (Draft)

Related Policies:

Employment of Teachers to Promotions Positions
Professional Development Program for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators
Developmental Staff Appraisal for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators
Appointment Renewal for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators
Religious Education Teachers Accreditation

Purpose:

This policy outlines the content and requirements relating to the development of Selection Criteria and the framework for the development of duty statements for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators.

Policy:

Prior to advertising vacancies and selecting applicants for the position of Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators, appropriate selection criteria must be established incorporating the criteria contained in section 1 of the Procedures contained in this policy.

Upon appointment to the position of Assistant Principal, Religious Education Coordinator or Coordinator a duty statement must be negotiated and maintained in accordance with section 2 of the procedures contained in this Policy.

Definitions:

“Assistant Principal” means a teacher appointed as such in a school who assists the Principal in his or her responsibility for the conduct and organisation of the school.

“Religious Education Co-ordinator” means a teacher appointed as the leader of the team of Religious Education teachers, who share responsibility for the implementation of Religious Education.

“Co-ordinator” means a teacher appointed as such in a school who is responsible to the Principal for the co-ordination of the programme of work in an area of instruction or activity as determined by the Principal.

The use of the term ‘Coordinator' in the policy refers to all Coordinators in Archdiocesan primary and secondary schools including the following:

• General Coordinator
• Middle School Coordinator
• Primary Coordinator
• Curriculum Coordinator
• Subject Coordinator
• Studies Coordinator
• Year Coordinator
• House Coordinator
• Pastoral Coordinator
• Pastoral Care Coordinator
• Teaching Coordinator
• Learning Technologies Coordinator

Religious Education Coordinator (REC) is referred to separately.

Procedures:

1. Selection Criteria

1.1 Successful applicants for the positions of Assistant Principal and Religious Education Coordinator will be practising Catholics.

1.2 Successful applicants for the position of Assistant Principal / REC / Coordinator will be persons who can demonstrate:

1.2.1 a sound understanding of, and commitment to, the goals of Catholic education and the operation of Catholic schools
1.2.2 competence as a teacher at a variety of year levels
1.2.3 highly effective communication skills
1.2.4 highly effective interpersonal skills
1.2.5 active participation in professional development.

 

1.3 In addition to 1.1 and 1.2, Assistant Principals will be required to demonstrate:

1.3.1 an awareness of current curriculum theory and research
1.3.2 experience in facilitating curriculum development
1.3.3 effective organisational and leadership skills including the capacity to work collaboratively with all groups within the school community
1.3.4 the ability to foster a positive school climate in line with the school's Mission Statement
1.3.5 successful experience at REC or Coordinator level (or above).

1.4  In addition to 1.1 and 1.2, RECs and Coordinators will be required to demonstrate:

1.4.1 leadership in teaching and learning
1.4.2 skills in curriculum development
1.4.3 effective organisational and problem-solving skills
1.4.4 specialist knowledge and understanding of their area of responsibility
1.4.5 effective community and team building skills.

1.5 In order to meet local needs schools may vary or adapt selection criteria 1.2.3 to 1.4.5 when advertising the position.

2. Framework for the Development of the Duty Statement for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators

2.1 Elements of the framework should feature in the negotiated duty statement for a specific Assistant Principal / REC / Coordinator position.

2.2 In developing the duty statement for the Assistant Principal / REC / Coordinator, the appointee and the Principal need to address the requirements of the position and the opportunities for the appointee to undertake responsibilities which will support his / her ongoing development as a leader.

2.3 The duty statement should be reviewed annually with adjustments made to reflect the needs of the school and the developmental needs of the incumbent.

2.4 Assistant Principals

2.4.1 Role Purpose

The Assistant Principal in a Catholic school is part of a collaborative School Executive and is responsible to the Principal in supporting and promoting an atmosphere where Catholic principles and practices flourish. This means that there must be a close working relationship between the Assistant Principal and the Principal in facilitating the formation of an effective School Executive.

2.4.2 Elements of Leadership

These elements of leadership appear in the duty statement as responsibilities.

The Assistant Principal is able to demonstrate leadership :

• in the promotion of a faith community
• through competency as a teacher
• in teaching and learning
• through effective communication and interpersonal skills
• through effective organisational and problem-solving skills
• through effective community and team-building skills
• in curriculum development
• in professional development

2.5 RECs & Coordinators

2.5.1 Role Purpose

The REC / Coordinator, as a member of the School Executive and / or middle management in the school, holds a particular responsibility to promote the goals of Catholic education including the formation of an active faith community and positive relationships between the school and its parish/es. The REC / Coordinator will assist the School Executive and staff through the provision of a sound and effective educational program in his / her domain and through support for a positive school climate.

2.5.2 Elements of Leadership

These elements of leadership appear in the duty statement as responsibilities.

The REC / Coordinator is able to demonstrate leadership:

• in the promotion of a faith community.
• through competency as a teacher.
• in teaching and learning.
• through effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• through effective organisational and problem-solving skills.
• through effective community and team-building skills.
• in curriculum development.
• in professional development.

3. Refinement of the Duty Statement for Assistant Principals, Religious Education Coordinators & Coordinators

3.1 The framework for the duty statements which appear in this document will form the basis for the negotiation of school duty statements for Assistant Principals, RECs and Coordinators.

3.2 Upon appointment the Assistant Principal / REC / Coordinator and the Principal will refine the duty statement based upon school identified needs for that position and / or the professional interests and skills of the School Executive, and the developmental needs of the appointee.

3.3 This duty statement, written at the local school level, should be balanced to ensure that the appointee is given experiences across the full range of school activities.

3.4 Concern should be exercised that the duty statement provides a blend of leadership, management and administrative tasks yet is still realistically achievable and able to be resourced in terms of time.

3.5 The duty statement needs to recognise that the teaching responsibilities of the appointee remain a major part of the role.

3.6 The duty statement should be reviewed and renegotiated annually consistent with 3.4.

3.7 The negotiated duty statement should be signed by the appointee and the Principal and submitted to the Catholic Education Office for attachment to the appointee's file.

3.8 The negotiated duty statement will form the basis for the questionnaire for contract renewal.

References:

Nil

Forms:

Nil

Last updated on November 13, 2006