Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale, is a co-educational college that offers classes from Prep to Year 12. The College values effort and commitment and supports and challenges students to become their best selves. In doing so, a college environment is provided in which students can grow holistically and promote activities, processes and structures that enhance a love of life.

About the role

Southern Cross Catholic College, Annandale, is seeking an experienced and dedicated Assistant Principal Identity and Culture (API&C) Secondary to join the College Leadership Team. This role is a full time, 5 year fixed term contract commencing 19 January 2026.

The position of API&C provides for the effective professional leadership and coordination of the religious education curriculum.

Leadership Success for those in positions of Senior Leadership in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Townsville

Catholic School Leadership is to be undertaken in a spirit of Christ-centred values and ethics. Christian leadership embodies a presence that is communal, transformational and serving. The six dimensions of leadership are bound by this context.

Faith and Mission Leadership – context of the community of the people of God.

Townsville Catholic Education has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people and/or adults-at-risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has a zero tolerance to abuse of children or adults-at-risk.

Key Accountabilities

The purpose of the API&C is to exercise leadership and assist with management of the school in accordance with Catholic Education policy and in consultation with other personnel as appropriate and with due reference to Catholic Education structures, processes and practices.

The API&C is responsible for the supervision of those areas as delegated by the Principal and as designated in his / her duty statement which should be reviewed annually.

Specific responsibilities of the role holder will include:

People Leadership

• Setting Clear Expectations: Communicate the College’s goals, objectives, and performance expectations clearly to each staff member.
• Decision-Making: Make well-informed and timely decisions that align with the college’s goals and objectives. Involve staff members in the decision-making process when appropriate to encourage collective ownership and buy-in.
• Leading by Example: Demonstrate the values, ethics, and behaviours expected from staff members. Be a role model in terms of work ethic, integrity, and professionalism.
• Change Management: Help staff to navigate through organisational changes effectively, providing reassurance, support, and direction during periods of transition.
• Empowering and Delegating: Delegate tasks and responsibilities to staff members based on their strengths and capabilities. Empower them to take ownership of their work and make decisions within their scope.
• Building and Maintaining a Positive Culture: Foster a positive work environment that promotes collaboration, trust, respect, and open communication. Encourage diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected.
• Motivating and Inspiring: Encourage and inspire staff members to achieve their best performance. Recognise and reward their efforts, boosting morale and job satisfaction.
• Recognition and Celebration: Acknowledge and celebrate individual and team accomplishments. Publicly recognise staff members’ contributions to boost morale and reinforce positive behaviours.
• Coaching and Development: Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to help staff members enhance their skills and develop professionally.
• Effective Communication: Be a concise and considerate communicator; ensuring information flows effectively between staff members and leadership. Keep staff informed about organisational changes, goals, and strategies.
• Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts within the team promptly and objectively, mediating disputes and work towards finding resolutions that foster a harmonious working environment.
• Integrated Service Delivery: Recognise and play a primary role in connecting and integrating service delivery across multi-dimensional functional teams across the college.

Pastoral Leadership

• Expert Advice: Provide expert advice and guidance on pastoral care and student wellbeing programs, interventions, and resources.
• Professional Relationships and Networks: Develop and maintain professional relationships with the TCE Teams, allied professionals, relevant community support agencies, and other networks to optimise and leverage services and resources available for students.
• Coaching and Development: Offer professional development and coaching support to college staff and pastoral team members to continually enhance team effectiveness, services, performance, and capability.
• Building and Maintaining Student Pastoral Care: Monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the college’s approach to pastoral care. Identify opportunities for improvement and impact. Collaborate with peers, team leaders, and guidance counsellors to develop a range of pastoral and student interventions and programs to address significant student wellbeing concerns and issues.

Catholic Identity Leadership

• Catholic Identity Leadership: Promote and embed Catholic identity through the integration of culture, Gospel values, evangelisation, faith education, liturgy, and prayer within the school community.
• Faith-Centred Climate: Foster a school environment that nurtures spiritual growth, sacramental participation, and faith engagement among staff and students.
• Liturgical Leadership: Collaborate with staff and community members to design and deliver meaningful liturgical experiences aligned with diocesan initiatives.
• Catholic Ethos Commitment: Demonstrate and model a strong commitment to the Catholic ethos through active pastoral engagement and participation in the life of the Church and school.
• Ecumenical and Social Justice Advocacy: Promote ecumenical activities and interfaith understanding, supporting social justice initiatives consistent with Catholic Social Teaching.
• Chaplaincy Oversight: Provide direct line management and support for the College Chaplain, ensuring alignment with the college’s faith goals and pastoral priorities. 

Educational and Pedagogical Leadership

• Religious Education Curriculum Leadership: Lead the strategic development, implementation, and continuous review of the Religious Education curriculum in line with diocesan and state standards.
• Teacher Support and Capacity Building: Offer targeted support and professional development to teachers to enhance the inclusion of Catholic perspectives and effective pedagogy in Religious Education.
• Professional Learning Facilitation: Maintain and disseminate current knowledge of theology, spirituality, and pedagogy professional development opportunities to enhance staff formation.
• Feedback and Formative Support: Provide timely and constructive feedback to students and staff to improve Religious Education learning and faith formation outcomes.
• Retreat Design and Coordination: Lead the planning and delivery of school retreats in partnership with pastoral leaders to foster spiritual growth and student engagement.

Mandatory Criteria

• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner
• Appropriate Tertiary qualification with registration or eligibility for registration with Queensland College of Teachers
• A minimum of 8 semester units of post graduate study in Religious Education, Scripture, Theology, Catholic Ethos and/or currently undertaking, with a commitment to completion
• Full accreditation to teach in a Catholic School and accreditation to teach Religious Education in a Catholic school
• Is committed to the Catholic faith, an active member of a Catholic Eucharistic community and is free from any impediment to full acceptance by the church and the school community
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville.

What we offer
An attractive remuneration package including:

• Competitive salary range
• Annual Leave at 17.5% leave loading
• Salary packaging options
• Modern facilities, equipment and resources
• Superannuation up to 12.75% employer contribution
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service
• Up to 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave
• Deferred Salary Scheme
• Corporate health insurance
• Induction, professional development and learning opportunities
• Wellbeing programs and initiatives

How to apply

Click on the link to apply via the Careers page.