School Counsellor - St James' Primary, Yamba

St John Paul College Coffs Harbour; Yamba; On-site; AUD 24,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited operates St James' Primary School in Yamba and seeks a School Counsellor to join the pastoral care team. The part-time, temporary role is 2 days per week with a start date of 28 January 2027, based in Yamba, NSW.

The successful applicant will hold current NSW Working with Children Check and appropriate registration or membership with a professional body (Psychology Board of Australia, AASW or PACFA/ACA) and will contribute to evidence-based

Qualifications

• Have a current NSW Working with Children Check.
• Current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or PACFA/ACA with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Counselling.
• Willingness to take an active part in the full life of the school and to support the mission and ethos of the Catholic Church's work in schools.
• Compliance with the Accreditation to Work Teach and Lead Policy upon appointment

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based interventions with children and young people, individually and in groups.
• Respond effectively in crisis situations and to students presenting with complex needs.
• Provide professional learning to school staff and families.
• Work with a Pastoral Care team and contribute to pastoral care planning

Skills

Counselling experience

Crisis management

Independent work

Staff training

Ethical/legal compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counselling

Job description

• 499295
• Yamba
• Counsellor
• temporary, part time

St James' Primary School, Yamba

At St James' Primary you will not hear the phrase 'the children are learning.' What you will hear is 'we are all learning to be the best we can be.' From the smallest Kindergarten child to the most experienced staff member, all are seeking to 'grow in learning relationships.' Knowing each child and how they learn and what matters to them is important and guides the pastoral care and planning by staff. With a commitment to providing a creative and rigorous curriculum, staff work as professional learning teams to offer opportunities where students question, explore and test their thinking. Solving real-world problems through STEM initiatives is a feature of all learning.

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

Position Type: Part time temporary

Hours / FTE: 2 days (15.2 hours) per week

Commencement date: 28 January 2027

Term of Appointment: Term 1 & 2, 2027

Applicants Must:

• have a current NSW Working with Children Check.
• current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or membership of PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia)/ ACA (Australian Counselling Association) with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Counselling
• have the willingness to take an active part in the full life of the school and to support and uphold the mission and ethos of the Catholic Church's work in schools.
• compliance with the Accreditation to Work Teach and Lead Policy upon appointment

Criteria:

• A strong understanding of the professional body's ethical and legal requirements, especially in relation to working within a school setting.
• Experience in providing evidence-based interventions with children and young people, individually and in groups.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and manage caseloads.
• Experience and ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations and to students presenting with complex needs.
• Experience or willingness to provide professional learning to school staff and families.
• Ability to work with a Pastoral Care team.

Role Description

Enquiries to Kristin Penberthy at 0473437066 or via email [e-mail]

Applications close: 3.00 pm Friday 13 November 2026.

Clarence Region

Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited is committed to creating Child Safe Schools.

Child Protection Legislation requires preferred applicants to be subject to employment screening.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.