Key duties and responsibilities

The Rockhampton Grammar School was founded in 1881 and is an independent co-educational day and boarding school, educating and caring for students from Prep to Year 12, as well as the Early Learning Years and is Queensland’s largest boarding school. The Rockhampton Grammar School has achieved great success in the academic, cultural, sporting and vocational fields over the past 143 years. The School has a total enrolment of over 1,400 (Prep to Year 12) students who are exposed to our broad curriculum, giving effect to our commitment of Grow in Character and Scholarship. 

Conveniently located in one of Queensland’s largest regional centres, we are proud to be chosen as the school of choice by families throughout Central Queensland, Far North Queensland, the Northern Territory and overseas. We take the responsibility of working in boarding seriously. With more than a third of our Secondary School students being boarders, we do everything we can to make sure they feel safe, comfortable and happy.

As part of our School, we provide a supportive, flexible working environment where care for all our staff is an important part of our ethos. We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our staff and students. Our staff are recognised as being central to achieving our mission.

At The Rockhampton Grammar School, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic environment where students thrive both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Join us at The Rockhampton Grammar School and be a part of a vibrant community dedicated to excellence in education! The School values co-curricular involvement and provide a wide variety of opportunities for staff in this regard.

POSITION TITLE:   Girls' Boarding Head of Year

DEPARTMENT:   Boarding

CLASSIFICATION:  Full-Time, Term-Time, Permanent

REPORTS TO:  Head of Boarding (Girls') and Director of Boarding

The Rockhampton Grammar School offers a competitive salary to all staff. The salary for this position, will be dependent on the successful applicant's experience and qualifications (Teaching or Non-Teaching) plus super and benefits.

(Note: pay-scale is reflective of the applicants teaching experience in accordance with the RGS EBA).

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Boarding Heads of Year:

• If a member of the teaching staff, teaching up to a maximum of 20 periods per week (if applicable);
• Consults routinely with the Head of Girls’ Boarding about the circumstances of a specific cohort of boarders, collective and individual;
• Works always in accordance with the ideals of RGS Boarding as per the RGS Boarding Mission Statement;
• Works always with an awareness of The Rockhampton Grammar School policy documents, in particular the legal responsibilities in regard to the Child Protection Policy and Workplace Health and Safety Policy;
• Is committed to ongoing professional development;
• Is a good role model for our boarding community: ethical, reliable, punctual, proactive, well dressed and groomed;
• Is responsible for the day-to-day management of the boarding house;
• Will be available at all times, within reason, to assist with and administer to the needs of boarders;
• Maintains a visible and active presence in the house especially during prep and at lights out;
• Liaises with relevant Heads and day school Heads of Year in all matters relating to boarders in the day school to effect a cohesive one-school approach;
• Will attend regular boarding management meetings;
• Contributes to the School’s co-curricular programme;
• Attends promotional visits to the districts of boarder families from time to time;
• Provide effective leadership and support for the ongoing development of a successful boarding house staff team;
• Maintain a climate of excellence in the care of boarders through effective collaborative relationships with those responsible for services to boarders: academic, pastoral, catering, laundry, transport, health centre, counselling and co-curriculum;
• Clearly define and communicate to boarders the expectations of each boarder in regard to conduct and attitude;
• Ensure a safe living environment in the boarding house at all times;
• Monitor and be involved in the personal development of boarders: academic, co-curricular, moral, spiritual, emotional, physical, health and self-reflection;
• Relate to individual boarders in an open, cheerful and supportive manner;
• Monitor, support and improve where necessary the effectiveness of on-duty junior boarding staff;
• Assist with and check on the rostering of boarding staff, ensuring that appropriate supervision is provided at all times, inclusive of covering staff absences;
• Induct new staff into the boarding house, creating an awareness of expected performance;
• Participate in and lead boarding staff professional development;
• Maintain effective prep sessions each night, Sunday – Thursday;
• Conduct a boarding house meeting at the commencement of each school day;
• Lead, maintain, contribute to an eclectic recreational activities program;
• Facilitate the semi-formal dining and etiquette program shared across all of boarding, attending scheduled formal and semi-formal dining functions;
• Liaise with boarder parents as required, attending promptly to all matters arising;
• Communicate directly, by email, phone or in person, with boarder parents about incidences of good deeds or success, sickness, injury, misconduct or other specific welfare circumstances for individual boarders;
• Ensure that the boarding house furnishings and fittings are well-maintained, liaising with the Maintenance Manager as required;
• Maintain neat presentation of the boarding house – individual student areas and common use areas;
• Assist boarders to resolve problems;
• Discipline boarders, as required;
• Assist with supervision of boarders’ dining;
• Prepare and ensure the checking of house rolls;
• Keep close and careful control of boarders’ leave arrangements – approval and signing out;
• Boarding cohort administration;
• Day to day cleanliness and personal presentation of boarders;
• Liaise with RGS Health Centre Nurses regarding boarders who are injured or unwell:
• Escort injured and unwell boarders to hospital and medical appointments, as required;
• Complete a boarding report for each boarder at the end of term (not Term 3);
• Prepare and publish a Boarding cohort newsletter each term, or a weekly boarding house update email or other effective means of regularly communicating with parents collectively;
• Prepare the boarding house for the return of boarders each term;
• Ensure the clearing and cleaning of the boarding house at the end of each term;
• Conduct enrolment interviews with new boarders and parents;
• Assist with and monitor transport arrangements of boarders to and from School activities and to and from home at the end of each term;
• Be conversant with the emergency evacuation procedures and respond accordingly every time there is a fire (or other) alarm, ensuring prompt and safe evacuation of Boarders and relevant staff.
• Teaching subjects in line with skills, qualification and experience (if applicable).

N.B This position description contains the most important duties and tasks regarding the job to be done. It is not an exclusive/exhaustive list.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The School takes child protection seriously, and as a staff member or volunteer of The Rockhampton Grammar School, you are required to meet the behaviour standards outlined in our Practice and Behaviour Guidelines. You will receive a copy of these guidelines as part of the induction process.

Therefore, as a part of your duties and responsibilities, you are also required to:

• Provide a welcoming and safe environment for children and young people;
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people to whom we provide services;
• Ensure that your interactions with children and young people are positive and safe;
• Provide adequate care and supervision of children and young people in your charge;
• Act as a positive role model for children and young people;
• Report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management;
• Maintain valid “working with children” documentation;
• Undergo periodic “national criminal history record” checks;
• Report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during the course of your employment that may indicate a possible risk to children and young people.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The successful applicant will be subject to a “Working with Children Check and Criminal Records Check” where applicable. The School undertakes several screening processes to ensure the appropriate protection of children and young people in its care. This includes reference checks, identity checks, qualification check and professional registration checks.

REQUIRED LICENCES/CERTIFICATES/EXPERIENCE 

• Proven experience in delivering pastoral care in a residential setting;
• Registered with Queensland College of Teachers (QCT); or
• Working with Children Check; and
• Police Check;
• Completion of/or currently undertaking ABSA Duty of Care Book 2 (desirable);
• Safeguarding Children Online Training Certificate.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position - please 'apply now' through the RGS Website: Current Career Opportunities | The Rockhampton Grammar School (rgs.qld.edu.au)

Please submit the following compulsory items:

• Cover Letter, indicating why you are applying for this position and detailing your teaching and/or boarding experience;
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae with the contact details of two work related referees;
• RGS Application for Employment Form.

Applications are encouraged to be submitted as soon as possible and must be submitted no later than 4:00pm Wednesday 9th October 2024.

Enquiries should be directed to Mike Silcock - Director of Boarding on 07 4936 0710.

*Note: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

*Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

*The Rockhampton Grammar School reserves the right to amend this Position Description at its discretion in accordance with any Safeguarding of Children, legislative and/or operational requirements