Director of Student Wellbeing K-12

St Philip's Christian Education; Nulkaba; On-site; AUD 94,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

St Philip’s Christian College is seeking a Director of Student Wellbeing to provide strategic leadership for student wellbeing across the College. The role includes overseeing wellbeing services, counselling, prevention/intervention programs, and staff development, ensuring a coordinated, evidence-informed approach to support every student.

You will lead the K-12 Wellbeing Team, develop goals, and maintain safe, confidential wellbeing records while collaborating with families, external agencies

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field.
• Current paid Working With Children Check.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the K-12 Wellbeing Team and set a vision for student wellbeing.
• Oversee wellbeing services, counselling, prevention and intervention programs.
• Develop Wellbeing Action Plans and monitor programs for safety and growth of students.
• Coordinate staff development, supervision and professional reflection in wellbeing.

Education

Bachelor degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field

Job description

Introduction

Start Date - Thursday, 21 January 2027

Contract - 48 weeks

Remuneration - $93,837 - $109,501 (The position classification and remuneration package may be higher and will be determined according to the successful applicant's qualifications, experience, and relevant awards or enterprise agreements).

We welcome applications from suitably qualified Professional & Operational Staff and qualified Teachers.

Applicants should hold a Bachelor degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related field. Educators who also hold qualifications in one of these areas are encouraged to apply

St Philip’s Christian College is a rapidly growing network of learning communities continuing its journey to deliver holistic Christian education that develops the whole child - emotionally, intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually.

Our team thrives on fostering strong working relationships that continue to encourage innovative and effective change, benefiting both students and staff while staying true to the College’s core values:

• Christ first
• Serve one another
• Strive for excellence
• Do what is right
• Build community

For over four decades, we have been trusted leaders in education, pioneering new approaches and educational opportunities across the Newcastle, Hunter, and Central Coast regions. We invite you to join us as we continue to explore and create better ways to educate, grounded in Christian values for the whole of life.

Description

What’s the focus of this position?

The Director of Student Wellbeing works in collaboration with the College Executive Leadership Team to provide strategic leadership for student wellbeing across the College. This includes a whole-school approach to wellbeing that is proactive, responsive and Christ-centred, ensuring every student is known, supported and equipped to thrive.

The Director of Student Wellbeing oversees wellbeing services, counselling, prevention and intervention programs, and relevant areas of staff development. The role ensures a coordinated, evidence-informed and relational approach to wellbeing that promotes the safety, growth, engagement and flourishing of every student.

Strategic Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and coordinate the K-12 Wellbeing Team.
• Develop and communicate a clear vision, goals and priorities for student wellbeing.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused and high-performing team culture.
• Manage, support and evaluate the performance and professional growth of wellbeing staff.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively and ensure accountability across the team.
• Lead regular team meetings, supervision processes and professional reflection.
• Support the recruitment, induction and appraisal of wellbeing staff.
• Maintain professional networks and awareness of emerging trends and best practice in student wellbeing.

Student Wellbeing Services

• Oversee the delivery of wellbeing services across K-12.
• Ensure effective referral, triage and case management processes.
• Develop, implement and monitor Wellbeing Action Plans.
• Provide support for students with complex wellbeing needs.
• Oversee targeted wellbeing groups and intervention programs.
• Liaise with students, families, staff and external agencies to support positive student outcomes.
• Ensure accurate and confidential wellbeing records are maintained.

Critical Incident and Risk Management

• Lead responses to complex student wellbeing matters and critical incidents.
• Conduct or oversee risk assessments relating to suicide, self-harm and other significant wellbeing concerns (when appropriately trained).
• Coordinate referrals to external mental health and support services.
• Fulfil mandatory reporting responsibilities in accordance with legislative and school requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to staff managing high-risk student situations.
• Develop and maintain procedures for responding to wellbeing crises and student safety concerns.
• Attend required emergency management and warden training.
• Support implementation of WHS procedures and emergency management plans.

Wellbeing Programs and Prevention

• Design, implement and evaluate proactive wellbeing initiatives and programs.
• Coordinate wellbeing interventions, support groups and student development programs.
• Lead the planning and implementation of Wellbeing Days and other wellbeing-focused initiatives.
• Contribute to camps, events and activities that enhance student wellbeing and connectedness.
• Promote a preventative and relational approach to wellbeing across the College.
• Oversee the implementation of Parent Pathways counselling services for families.

Staff Development and Professional Practice

• Ensure wellbeing staff participate in relevant professional learning and supervision.
• Coordinate wellbeing-related training, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and ASIST programs.
• Maintain awareness of current research, emerging trends and best practice in student wellbeing.
• Implement evidence-informed wellbeing practices and initiatives.
• Foster a culture of professional learning, reflection and continuous improvement.
• Support staff to develop their skills, strengths and professional capabilities.

Collaboration and Community Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, staff and external agencies.
• Liaise with students, parents/carers, teachers and external professionals regarding student wellbeing needs.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of School, Year Leaders, Learning Support staff and College staff.
• Develop and deliver parent education initiatives and wellbeing workshops.
• Represent the College through professional networks, associations and external partnerships.
• Communicate wellbeing initiatives and outcomes to the broader school community through reports, presentations and publications.
• Attend and be actively involved in supporting College events, including camps, Open Days, Spring Fair, Colour Run, special celebrations and other events as directed.
• Provide active supervision of students through playground duty and other designated supervision responsibilities in accordance with College policies and procedures.

Governance, Administration and Compliance

• Oversee the operational management and organisation of wellbeing services, staff, programs, resources, events and initiatives.
• Manage the Wellbeing budget and associated ordering of resources.
• Develop, review and implement wellbeing policies, procedures and practices.
• Collect, analyse and report wellbeing data to inform strategic decision-making.
• Prepare reports for the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Governors when required.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, child protection and College requirements.

Strategic Partnerships and Meetings

• Participate in and contribute to regular meetings with the Deputy Principal and Heads of School.
• Participate in and contribute to meetings when required with the Principal, Director of Learning Support and Year Leaders.
• Participate in relevant College meetings, committees, cross-campus wellbeing initiatives, HRIS and ISNSW meetings.
• Engage in monthly professional supervision sessions.

The essentials you’ll need

• A current paid Working With Children Check.
• Be a committed Christian and an active church member.
• Uphold and support the mission, core values, vision, policies and aims of the College.
• Be passionate about Christian education.
• Represent the College in a positive manner to the wider school community.
• Display discretion, confidentiality, honesty and integrity.
• Maintain and build upon your professional expertise by participating in appropriate professional development courses.
• Lead by example with high professional standards in all aspects of College life.
• Demonstrate high level interpersonal skills, accurate and consistent communication skills, effective collaboration, and effective conflict resolution skills and strategies.
• Demonstrate a high level of organisational proficiency, maintaining high standards with a calm, methodical and solutions-focused approach.
• Effectively prioritise tasks, manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Be positive, self-directed, empathetic, enthusiastic and highly motivated, demonstrating adaptability, flexibility, resilience, multi-tasking and capacity to manage work related pressures.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Work successfully to build positive, caring relationships with staff, students, parents/carers and the wider community.
• Excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite of products and a willingness to embrace new technologies.
• Support the health and safety of yourself and others by undertaking duties in a manner that is positive, proactive and sustainable.
• Compliance with workplace policies and procedures for risk identification, risk assessment and risk control.
• Identification and timely reporting of health and safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries, and property damage at the workplace.
• Correct utilisation of any Personal Protective Equipment

WE’LL PARTNER WITH YOU ALONG THE WAY

As a member of the St. Philip’s team, we are committed to advancing your God-given purpose and potential by supporting your personal and professional growth, while approaching the changing needs of the future with confidence and ingenuity.

Note: All SPCC employees are responsible for ensuring the workplace is free from sexual harassment and must not engage in any behaviour that could amount to sexual harassment. They are also committed to a culture that supports and embraces Child Safe Standards and strictly complies with work health safety standards.