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School Counsellor (Stage 5 NSW) Special Assistance School

Contract Type: Part Time

Commencement: Immediate start

Applications Close: 5 April 2023

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Gateway Community High, Carlingford 

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Help young people to Achieve.Belong.Grow  

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Gateway Community High is a unique, independent Special Assistance School that opened in January 2021.

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We are seeking a very special individual to join our growing team in a growing school as the School Counsellor. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced professional to use their skills and knowledge to create opportunities for young people to thrive in an educational setting tailored to support their learning and belonging. 

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The School Counsellor’s role is to work with staff, students and families to provide safe and effective support for our young people so they can achieve, belong and grow during their educational journey at Gateway Community High, and beyond. 

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Reporting to the Head of Campus, and as a leader in the Wellbeing Team, the School Counsellor will play a key role in shaping the Gateway Community High approach to student support that ensures we create an exceptional school that supports the needs of a diverse student community in our flexible learning environment.

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The School Counsellor fosters the wellbeing of students through a proactive and supportive counselling service, and working collaboratively with colleagues in supporting student wellbeing.

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You will have the opportunity to work in a small school setting, enabling attention to be given to the diverse needs of all students. 

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The School currently provides opportunities for 40 young people in Stage 5 (years 9/10). We offer the NESA curriculum which enables students to attain their ROSA.  With plans in place to offer Stage 6 (years 11/12) and the HSC we will continue to grow over the next 3 years. 

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Close collaboration with external professionals and support agencies, facilitated by the School Counsellor, will enable the School to put into practice these specialist-recommended supports and strategies.

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The role is a permanent part-time role with options for transition to full-time.

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The successful candidate will possess: 

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Essential Selection Criteria 

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A recognised qualification in Counselling, Psychology (or Social Work) and membership of a related professional association or registration body.

 

A minimum of 5 years of experience working in an educational setting, ideally with teenagers.

 

Ability to effectively work in a learning environment with young people who have faced social or emotional challenges and other barriers to participating fully in their schooling. 

 

Student focused, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and a belief in the agency and potential of young people.

 

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with excellent listening skills, a solutions focus and ability to de-escalate and resolve conflicts. 

 

Ability to make students feel comfortable, and to quickly build relationships based on trust with students, colleagues, families and external networks.

 

Demonstrated ability in delivering and developing student pastoral care and wellbeing through one-one and small group work. Expertise in programs, strategies and practices that support wellbeing, improving student's skills in self-regulation and maintaining motivation to achieve their goals.

 

Organised, professional and committed to ethical record-keeping.

 

Ability to achieve outcomes, remaining calm and flexible, even when under the pressures of time, uncertainty and challenging situations.   

 

A self-starter who can collaborate with others, including colleagues, families, external professionals working with our students, referring schools and community organisations or agencies. 

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Benefits  

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Opportunity to work with a like-minded team to positively influence young people to stay engaged with their education and future career options. 

Someone looking to move into a School that creates social impact for young people that face barriers to participating in larger mainstream schooling. 

 

Above award salaries and outstanding employment conditions. As a Public Benevolent Institution remuneration includes significant tax savings through a variety of salary packaging, meaning more money in your take-home pay and access to discounts on items such as dining out and holiday accommodation. Please ask us how this can benefit you. 

 

We are committed to ongoing professional development opportunities to support staff with their levels of accreditation and career progression. 

 

To apply for this position, candidates must: 

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• Meet the essential selection criteria and screening requirements (WWCC,  Citizenship or work rights);

• Address the selection criteria in their covering letter; AND 

• Provide an up-to-date CV with employment and qualification details.  

 

At Gateway Community High we are committed to: 

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• The safety and wellbeing of all children and young people; AND

• Providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where children and young people are safe and feel safe. 

 

Students actively participate in decisions that affect their lives. 

 

We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and other harm and are committed to acting in students’ best interests and keeping them safe from harm.  

 

In carrying out their duties, the School Counsellor is expected to apply the highest standards of professional conduct, and to collaborate with colleagues in working to achieve the vision and goals of the School. 

 

Applications close Wednesday 5 April 2023. 

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Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Head of Campus on (02) 8845 8801

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