Kolbe Catholic College
Role Description
Position:
Head of Learning
Area/Department:
Middle Leadership
Responsible To:
Associated Deputy Principals
Review Date:
2015
LEADERSHIP IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Jesus is the soil in which the tree is planted. He is the source of nutrients.
The four capabilities in which Catholic leadership is expressed – the
personal, professional, relational and organisational capabilities of school
leaders, are the roots which anchor the tree and the means by which
nutrients are drawn from the soil. These roots ultimately determine the
degree to which the tree – its trunk, branches and leaves, survive and
flourish.
The trunk, or structural support system, circulates the religious dimension
that makes the Catholic school distinctive. As is the case with any
effective support system, it must be strong and possess the capacity to
consider the future at all times – bending but not breaking.
The branches represent the four domains through which leadership is
exercised – Catholic Identity, Education, Stewardship and
Community.
1. Catholic Identity
Catholic leaders promote the purposes and aims of evangelisation. As such, they are invited to develop their
school communities as faith communities by emphasising its religious dimension. They are encouraged to ensure
that Christian values are reflected in attitudes and school policies and practices. The role of Head of Learning in
the promotion of Catholic identity encompasses the following:
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The active support of the philosophy and ethos of Kolbe as a Catholic College
Having a clear understanding of the College’s Mission and Vision with a view of supporting this within
the learning area
The integration of Christian values across the curriculum
Supporting the pastoral welfare of learning area staff and students at the College
Ensuring that Christian attitudes and values are reflected in the development and application of
learning area policies and through the way that staff interact
The recognition and celebration of individual staff members’ strengths
2. Education
Educational leaders contribute to the development of a climate of enquiry and a love of learning in themselves
and the members of their school communities. As such, they are required to acquire knowledge, lead, manage
and monitor the school improvement process, live out Christian values and encourage the discovery of truth.
They support learning across the local school and the wider system, offering a multiplicity of learning experiences
designed to nurture a lifelong love of learning and enquiry, leading to wise and moral choices that support a
fullness of life. The role of Head of Learning in the Education encompasses the following:
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Coordinating the learning area curriculum within the context of the whole educational program
offered by the College
Working collaboratively with the Deputy Principals in the development of curriculum at the College.
Organising the curriculum for each year level in conjunction with teachers within the learning area.
This would include:
o Scoping and sequencing curriculum from Years 7 to 12
o Ensuring up to date courses, assessment materials and resources are published (online) and
regularly reviewed
o Developing and maintaining appropriate marking processes and recording strategies
o Effective moderation and consensus strategies
Creation of a firm plan for the ongoing growth of curriculum within the learning area
Proactively engaging in the Middle Management meetings, contributing to the review and ongoing
development of curriculum initiatives
Encouraging innovative procedures to enhance student learning and teacher development. Providing
opportunities for the development of quality pedagogical practices.
Keeping abreast of latest Curriculum Council developments and informing relevant personnel
Creation and promotion of tasks that effectively differentiate and cater for the various learning
abilities within the classroom.
Liaising with the Head of Learning Resources and the Coordinator of Students with Special Learning
Needs to ensure that students receive an appropriate level of literacy, numeracy and/or other forms
of support. Overseeing the development of effective modified programs for students concerned –
includes effective management of Educational Assistants.
Overseeing the academic progress of the students in the learning area:
o Being aware of the “at risk” students and initiate with teachers “follow-up” interviews with
these students and their parents in consultation with the Head of Year. Keeping records.
o Being vigilant about students who display particular talents or are particularly gifted in some
way or other and ensure that these talents are recognised and fostered
Supports subject selection processes though counselling of students and setting appropriate
prerequisites and recommendations
Introducing competitions and extra curricular activities that encourage student participation and
broaden their understanding of the curriculum
Being a leader in the integration of ICT into the learning area and promoting the continued use and
development of ICT strategies within the team
Effectively manages report related interim and semester report processes
In liaison with the Deputy Principal, observing student work and study loads to ascertain that they
are fair, equitable and sufficient.
Promoting the achievement of excellence in all activities and acknowledge any such achievements by
giving due recognition to the appropriate students.
Implementation of effective moderation and consensus strategies
Ensuring that appropriate College policies are effectively implemented at a learning area level – for
example the Assessment Policy
Continually monitors the overall performance of the learning area (eg via semester summaries and
reflections) and uses results to inform future practice.
3. Stewardship
Stewardship recognises that God is creator of the universe and that policies and organisational structures serve
individual and communal development, as well as care for the earth. Stewards are called upon to design and
implement policies and procedures that ensure equity via the effective use and maintenance of the human,
physical and financial resources of the school. The role of Head of Learning in the Stewardship domain
encompasses the follows:
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Developing and clearly illustrating the vision of the learning area and working with others in the team
to enact this vision. Developing processes that allow for the growth of the department.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to be actively involved in the College as a
professional learning community
Being a source of encouragement, inspiration and encouragement to members of the learning area
Effectively organising and running learning area meetings and workshops to collaboratively plan and
develop quality teaching strategies and learning opportunities
Organising effective learning opportunities for department staff to assist with their professional
growth. Encouraging staff to connect with appropriate professional associations and network with
other teachers.
Involvement in self improvement in their profession
Inspiring others though the maintenance of outstanding work standards – leading by example
The ability to be flexible, creative, adaptable and approachable with quality interpersonal skills.
Collaborates well with others and works hard to develop a sense of team.
Fulfilling the role of mentor, particularly to new staff within the learning area - challenging,
encouraging and supporting staff.
Encouraging the use of reflective practice amongst learning area staff
Disseminating relevant information through to learning area staff
Liaising with the Deputy Principals in the allocation of teaching duties and timetables
Fairly allocating tasks and responsibilities amongst learning area staff – taking into consideration
teaching loads, preparation and marking requirements and individual teacher interest and aptitude.
Overseeing Curriculum Council related processes such as consensus and small group moderation
Overseeing the learning area budget
Implementation of College policy and attendance to essential records and routine matters with
perseverance and punctuality
Maintenance of an accurate inventory of all learning area resources
Regularly evaluating and up keeping resources in use within the learning area and ensuring that
items adopted comply with CEO policy in relation to appropriate materials. Liaising with the Head of
Learning Resources in the development of effective learning area teaching resources.
4. Community
Catholic leaders are responsible for developing, promoting and sustaining the Catholic life of the school
community. They are called upon to foster a safe, purposeful and inclusive learning environment whilst
developing constructive and respectful relationships within their community. In the Catholic tradition,
community is underpinned by the principles of Catholic social teaching – the common good, subsidiarity,
solidarity and participation. Consequently, school community leadership requires the design of organisational
structures that are characterised by service, collaborative decision-making, genuine participation and patterns of
cooperation. The role of Head of Learning in the Community domain encompasses the follows:
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The development of a sense of community within the learning area based on collaboration and
genuine trust. Encouraging the establishment of a safe, purposeful classroom environment where a
similar sense of community prevails.
Establishment of procedures within the learning area to ensure regular and effective communication
with families
Initiatives to promote the College in the wider community
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Developing departmental strategies that promote and sustain Catholic life at the College
THE PRINCIPAL
The Head of Learning is ultimately responsible to the Principal for the development of the curriculum,
teaching practices and techniques that maximise student learning in the learning area. This includes the
promotion of a uniform and vigorous policy of academic excellence, individual student support and the
establishment and maintenance of sound standards of work and attitudes towards study.
The Head of Learning should keep the Principal informed of key developments and activities in the learning
area and provide an annual report outlining reflections on the progress of the learning area which would
include student performance at the various year levels.
The role of Head of Learning encompasses the elements outlined in this description along with any other duties
proscribed by the Principal.