Role Description/Criteria
Purpose of the Role
The Catholic Mission, Identity & Communications Leader plays a vital role in leading, nurturing, and communicating the Catholic faith life of St Catherine of Siena Primary School. The position ensures that the mission of the Church is visible, vibrant, and integrated across all dimensions of school life — learning, prayer, liturgy, pastoral care, social justice, and community communication.
As a member of the School Leadership Team, this leader inspires a living faith community that reflects the Gospel message, promotes authentic Catholic education, and ensures the Catholic identity of the school continues to grow in authenticity and relevance. This role also leads strategic communication, showcasing the life of the school and celebrating student learning, engagement, and social development through traditional and digital platforms, in alignment with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Vision for Mission, Vision for Engagement, and Vision for Instruction.
Ìý
Key Areas of Leadership
1. Leading Learning and Teaching: Catholic Identity
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a rich and contemporary Catholic Identity curriculum grounded in Scripture, Church teaching, and current research.
- Collaborate with Curriculum Leaders and teachers to design learning programs that nurture students’ faith, spirituality, and understanding of Catholic Social Teaching.
- Establish and monitor whole-school goals to strengthen Catholic Identity, guided by Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) data.
- Model the school’s Agreed Practices and Procedures in Catholic Identity teaching and learning.
- Lead the development of a Charism Curriculum unique to St Catherine of Siena, in collaboration with the parish and ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ.
- Create opportunities for students and staff to encounter faith through prayer, reflection, liturgy, and social justice initiatives.
- Coordinate and lead staff and student spirituality formation days, retreats, and reflection opportunities.
- Support and expand youth ministry and student-led faith initiatives.
- Promote meaningful connections between Catholic Identity, wellbeing, and engagement practices.
- Collaborate with staff to plan and celebrate significant faith and liturgical events (e.g., feast days, sacraments, and social justice actions).
- Use data and reflection to inform teaching, track faith learning, and support differentiated religious education.
- Ensure visible expressions of Catholic identity — symbols, signs, rituals, and traditions — are embedded throughout the school.
2. Leading Community and Pastoral Care
- Promote a culture of care grounded in Gospel values and the school’s pillars of respect, responsibility, kindness, and safety.
- Support the wellbeing of all members of the school community through faith-inspired initiatives and inclusive practices.
- Ensure compliance with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Child Safe Standards and the school’s Child Safety Policy and Code of Conduct.
- Demonstrate and model professional and compassionate pastoral care in all interactions.
- Build strong partnerships between school, parish, and families that strengthen the mission of Catholic education.
- Work closely with the parish priest and sacramental team to support and coordinate the parish sacramental program.
- Provide opportunities for families to participate in faith formation, prayer, and service experiences.
3. Faith Communication and Promotion
- Lead the communication of the school’s Catholic mission and life through storytelling, photography, and creative media.
- Manage and curate the school’s digital presence (social media, website, newsletters, and parish bulletins) to highlight student learning, engagement, and achievement within a Catholic context.
- Ensure communication aligns with the values and ethos of St Catherine of Siena and ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ guidelines.
- Provide leadership in developing a consistent and professional communication style that promotes the school’s image and strengthens community partnerships.
- Develop content that celebrates the Catholic mission, learning culture, community service, and student voice.
- Collaborate with staff to identify opportunities to share classroom practice, learning journeys, and community events.
- Strengthen engagement with local media, parish communications, and diocesan publications.
4. Leading Continuous School Improvement
- Provide professional learning, coaching, and mentoring to staff in Catholic Identity pedagogy, faith formation, and communications.
- Lead professional dialogue that deepens theological understanding and links faith to learning and wellbeing.
- Facilitate staff reflection and formation sessions using ECSI, Scripture, and Catholic Social Teaching.
- Participate in Leadership and Curriculum Leader meetings, contributing to strategic direction and planning.
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of Catholic Identity and communication initiatives.
- Maintain and share professional resources that enrich Catholic Identity and communication practice.
- Model and promote evidence-based practice that connects faith, engagement, and effective communication.
5. Co-Curricular and Community Engagement
- Liaise with parish, local Church groups, and Catholic agencies to extend the school’s mission.
- Encourage and lead student participation in community faith and social justice programs.
- Develop opportunities for students to demonstrate discipleship through service, advocacy, and environmental stewardship.
- Contribute reflections and faith messages to newsletters and digital communication.
- Represent the school at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, diocesan, and local community events related to Catholic Mission and Identity.
Commitment to Child Safety
St Catherine of Siena Primary School is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children. All staff must:
- Take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse.
- Comply with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Child Safe Standards and school policies.
- Demonstrate a child-centred approach in all interactions and decision-making.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
- Accreditation to Teach Religious Education in a Catholic School
- Relevant Teaching Qualification
- Demonstrated commitment to the Catholic faith and mission of the Church
- Proven leadership in Religious Education, faith formation, or Catholic Identity
- Demonstrated experience in strategic communication, storytelling, or public relations within education
- Strong understanding of ECSI, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Religious Education Curriculum Framework, and Catholic Social Teaching
Desirable:
- Master’s qualification in Theology, Religious Education, Communication, or Educational Leadership (or currently undertaking)
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Catholic education
- Demonstrated success in leading professional learning, communication, and cultural change
- High-level interpersonal, digital communication, and organisational skills
- Analytical ability to use data to inform both faith formation and communication strategy
Key Selection Criteria
Applicants are asked to address the following:
1. Commitment to Catholic Faith and Mission – Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Catholic faith tradition and the mission of Catholic education.
2. Leadership in Catholic Identity and Religious Education – Proven ability to lead the ongoing development of Catholic Identity and Religious Education across the school.
3. Faith Formation and Community Engagement – Capacity to design and lead faith formation opportunities and build strong parish-school-family partnerships.
4. Educational Leadership and Collaboration – Demonstrated skill in leading, coaching, and mentoring colleagues to strengthen professional practice.
5. Communication and Promotion of School Life – Demonstrated ability to lead communication and promotion of the school’s mission, learning, and community through a range of media and platforms.
6. Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing – Understanding of, and demonstrated commitment to, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Child Safe Standards and inclusive practices.
7. Professional Knowledge and Practice – Accreditation to teach Religious Education and evidence of ongoing professional learning and leadership in Catholic education.
Application Process
Applications should include:
- A cover letter addressing the key responsibilities and selection criteria.
- A current resume including contact details for at least two referees.
Please forward applications to:
Mr Des Noack – Principal
principal@scmeltonwest.catholic.edu.au
St Catherine of Siena School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.
Child Safety Statement
St Catherine of Siena School - Melton West, is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children. All staff are expected to uphold the school’s Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct and to ensure a safe environment for every student.
Ìý
Application Procedure
Please forward applications to: Mr Des Noack – Principal
principal@scmeltonwest.catholic.edu.au
Applications should include:
- A cover letter addressing the key responsibilities and selection criteria.
- A current resume including contact details for at least two referees with one being your most recent Principal / Manager.Ìý