Leader of Learning - Religious Education in Gateshead

St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead is seeking a Permanent Full Time Leader of Learning - Religious Education to join the team January 2027. St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead, is a co-educational year 7 to 12 College founded in the finest tradition of the Josephite sisters. It is recognised and acclaimed as a safe, disciplined, welcoming and caring community. It is a school where paramount importance is given to building and nurturing quality relationships; providing excellence in teaching and learning aligned with the Visible Learning Framework; setting and maintaining high standards and expectations in all dimensions of college life and providing a sound spiritual framework for students' personal growth and development as learners and as people.

A fundamental belief underpinning college life is a commitment to service in the spirit of the Gospel, which honours the college motto ‘Ready to Serve’. Whilst the Principal also has final responsibility for the development and implementation of the Religious Education programme Kindergarten to Year 12, this responsibility is shared with the Leader of Learning – Secondary Religious Education, who also assists to support parents and carers in their role as religious educators of their children.

The Leader of Learning – Secondary Religious Education is an exemplary teacher who provides an excellent role model for other teachers, especially in the area of Religious Education and in their understanding of quality teaching and learning that is holistic and informed by a distinctive Catholic world-view. The Leader of Learning – Secondary Religious Education works in collaboration with the school leadership team and colleagues to promote the school as a place which has a strong focus on enhancing religious learning for all students.

Within the RE faculty they will:

• Promote the development and maintenance of academic rigour in relation to Religious Education
• Supervise the implementation and teaching of the diocesan Religious Education curriculum
• Ensure the highest standards of teaching practice
• Lead and support the ongoing development, implementation and oversight of quality teaching programs and learning outcomes
• Have deep understanding and expertise in KLA curriculum requirements
• Establish a culture of collaborative and reflective practice
• Support individuals in identifying new experiences for their continual professional development
• Know their students and strive to provide engaging learning that supports student faith development

The teacher will promote the school as a place of learning and excellence in accordance with contemporary evidence-based learning and wellbeing principles (including digital learning) and will ensure the ongoing development and implementation of pedagogical practices that impact on student learning outcomes. The teacher will acknowledge and agree to the requirement to work within the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Desired Skills and Experience

EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• Practising Catholic
• Ability to articulate a clear understanding of and a personal commitment to Catholic education and to actively supporting the Catholic ethos and culture of the school
• Is outstanding in correct doctrine, the witness of a Christian life and teaching skill
• Familiarity with current Religious Education documents and a demonstrated ability to reflect the spirit of these documents in classroom practice
• Demonstrated success in ensuring a culture of continuous improvement, creating and leading effective professional learning and building the capacity of teachers as leaders in learning
• Demonstrated management and administrative skills to ensure assessment, and teaching and learning programs operate effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively utilise data to optimise organisational and educational outcomes, to think and act strategically, and to support the Leadership Team in leading the mission of the school
• High level communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to develop and sustain constructive and respectful relationships within and beyond the school community
• Prior leadership experience (Desirable)
• Working towards Highly Accomplished or Lead Teaching Standards (Desirable)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Four-year trained teacher classification with at least four years successful teaching experience consistent with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
• Postgraduate study in Religious Education or Theology
• NESA Teacher Accreditation
• Diocesan Accreditation to Teach Religion
• Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) number
• Completion of anaphylaxis training

Conditions of Employment

• Work in quality schools where students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to excel and grow
• A corporate fitness program through Fitness Passport (T&C's apply)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Training and staff development programs
• Paid parental leave for eligible employees
• Access to long service leave after just five years for eligible employees

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation.