COLLEGE PSYCHOLOGIST

ROLE DESCRIPTION

It is the vision of St Norbert College to create a Christian community, which lives the Gospel values, offers a nurturing and inclusive school life for young people, and where our teaching staff provide an education which fosters the growth of our students pastorally, academically and socially and equips them with the means for life-long learning.

We are committed to being a child safe organisation. Our young children have the right to be safe and feel safe to be able to flourish in their learning and development.

To be successful in the role you will be a supportive and active contributor towards the realisation of our vision, playing an important part in the culture of the College and the future of our students.

The College Psychologist is employed at St Norbert College to apply his/her psychological and educational knowledge to assist students, teachers, administration and parents to achieve optimal student learning and development.

The key areas the psychologist works in, are student learning, behaviour and social-emotional development. The psychologist works collaboratively with members of the College community, and those who refer students have a responsibility to work together with the psychologist to implement agreed intervention strategies.

This is a fulltime temporary contract position commencing January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Further information may be obtained by contacting Miss Carrol Abel by email [email protected] or 9350 5433.

CORE REQUIREMENTS:

• Be supportive of the Catholic and Norbertine ethos of the College.

• Hold a current 4-year Psychology degree or equivalent (i.e. eligibility for registration with the Psychologist’s Board of Australia).

• Understanding and commitment to meeting the standard of conduct articulated in the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics.

• Have or work towards Accreditation to Work in a Catholic School requirements of Catholic Education WA.

• Applicants must be eligible for Membership of their relevant Professional Association.

• Abide by the guidelines contained in the St Norbert College Code of Conduct.

• Hold a current Police Clearance and Working with Children Clearance.

• Ability to work as a member of the Pastoral Care Team is essential.

• Ability to work in collaboration with the School Counsellor in student case management and counselling services.

• Professional standard of dress and presentation.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

The responsibilities of the Psychologist are as follows:

• Support the Catholic faith and Norbertine tradition of St Norbert College and add to the spiritual dimension of the College.

• As an integral member of the College’s pastoral care structure, to focus on the students within the school environment with the goal of maximising each student’s learning potential, emotional well-being, social development and interpersonal skills.

• In achieving this goal, work with individuals, peer groups, class groups, teachers, parents/carers and families through the provision of a professional counselling service that is guided by the Ethics and Code of Ethics of the relevant professional association.

• To work in partnership with the College Leadership Team, Academic Board and Pastoral Care Team to achieve the best outcomes possible for the students in the College’s care.

• Be sensitive to and supportive of students from a variety of cultures.

• Support the Behaviour Management strategies in place at the College and contribute to these strategies through the provision of peer mediation and restorative practices.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Psychologist are as follows:

1. Casework with Students and Families

• Maintains an appropriate referral process through which staff, parents/carers, peers and students themselves can be referred to the Psychologist and Counsellor.

• Consults with and support the College staff that refers students to the Psychologist.

• Works cooperatively with members of the College Leadership Team, Academic Board, Pastoral Care Team and teaching staff to plan appropriate interventions to meet student needs.

• Determines appropriate goals and intervention strategies as agreed upon with the referred student/family.

• Responsibility for the development of Individual Action Plans, Risk Management Plans, Education and Behavioural Plans to assist students to realise their full potential in the areas of learning, behaviour and social development.

• Ensures a range of creative options are considered and implements these in a planned and purposeful manner to resolve the difficulties experienced by students and families.

• Supports parents/carers as the student’s primary carers through open communication – as agree through contact with the referred student.

• Supports parents/carers through the provision of information regarding the overall development of their sons/daughters.

• Supports parents/carers to offer professional development programs to staff, students and families in the area of school/educational psychology that align with school priorities.

• Makes referrals to other professionals and agencies when needed, maintaining support to the student/family as is appropriate.

2. Collaboration with Specialist Support and Teaching Staff at the College

• Works collaboratively with support staff at the College in the development of strategies to support students with special needs.

• Conducts or assists with the facilitation of psychometric testing/educational assessments and planning for students with specific learning needs.

• Consults with and assists teaching staff in developing classroom environments, procedures and practices that support both the teacher and students with specific needs.

• In consultation with specialist support staff, develops and delivers resources that complement and assists teaching staff in understanding and responding to the students in their care.

3. Preventative Work

• Uses professional knowledge and theory to identify and prioritise the psychosocial needs of the College community.

• In consultation with the College Leadership Team, Academic Board, Pastoral Care Team and Head of Learning Diversity, determine agreed priorities which promote and enhance the emotional well-being, social development and interpersonal skills of students within the College community.

Such preventative work may include:

a) Small Group Work

To provide students or members of the College community with opportunities to share common experiences through a cooperative interdependent group experience.

b) Classroom Work

Be available to teaching staff for consultation, information, advice and the resourcing of classroom programs of a psychosocial nature; for example, bullying prevention, social skills, transition, conflict resolution, problem solving, gender specific programs. Develop and deliver specific classroom or whole school programs where appropriate.

c) Parent Workshops

 Collaborating with pastoral staff to plan/facilitate parent education programs as identified.

d) Staff Professional Development

Develop and deliver specific professional development sessions on specific topics as requested and where appropriate. For example - managing aggression, mental health, wellbeing and safety.

4. Policy & Curriculum Planning

• Contributes to the policy development in the area of Pastoral Care.

• Identifies areas for new initiatives within the College as determined through work with the student body.

• Contributes to the decision making with the College through involvement in College committees and through regular meetings with the College Leadership Team and Pastoral Care Team.

• Attends and contributes to staff meetings and committees, as necessary.

• Specifically, is responsible for the College Crisis Management Plan and reviews/updates the Plan as is necessary.

• Works collaboratively with the College Leadership Team, Academic Board and Pastoral Care Team to assist in planning curriculum initiatives and whole school strategies to meet the requirements of The National Safe School Framework and the Keeping Safe Curriculum as part of the CEWA Child Safe Framework.

5. Occupational Safety & Health

• Take a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and others within the workplace.

• Work in a safe manner while exercising due care and caution.

• Report any unsafe practices or equipment in accordance with procedure ensuring accuracy and that any written report is legible and concise.

6. Other Duties

• Attends to other matters within the scope of duties performed by a College Psychologist at the request of the Principal or a member of the College Leadership Team.

• Participates in the life of the College through involvement in co-curricular activities, such as camps and retreats, as is possible.

7. Accountability

• Maintains appropriate and confidential records in accordance with the Privacy Act and Code of Ethics ensuring the security of these according to the standards expected by Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA).

• Maintains a strong working relationship with the College Leadership Team, Academic Board and Pastoral Care Team.

• Within the boundaries of confidentiality and as negotiated with the relevant parties, informs the College Leadership Team or specifically the Principal, or any critical issues that may impact on specific students or the College community.

• Provides an annual report, or reports as is required to the Principal.

8. Professional Responsibility

• Maintains an appropriate network of professional colleagues for support.

• Participates in a relevant professional network with Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) by attending meetings and professional development sessions where possible.

• Updates professional knowledge, counselling theory and practice, by participating in relevant professional development opportunities as approved by the College Principal.

• Undertakes regular counselling supervision (peer or contract basis).

• Acquires, develops and maintains appropriate counselling resources to be used in interventions with the College Community.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

The College Psychologist will -

• Support the Catholic ethos of St Norbert College.

• Promote Catholic and Norbertine Values through their work.

• Integrate Catholic teaching and values through their work.

POSITION STATUS

This position is FULL-TIME with 7 weeks annual leave and 5 weeks stand down in school holidays.

All Applicants would need to complete a Non-Teaching Application Form

LINE MANAGER

The Line Manager is Deputy Principal as delegate for the Principal.

The Norbertine Canons Incorporated encourage applications from First Nations people, people with a disability, people of all ages and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.