School Counsellor

• Join a collaborative and supportive team

Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) is looking for a knowledgeable and inspiring School Counsellor to assist boys from P-12. TGS staff are passionate about boys' education and supporting the provision of an inspiring and broad curriculum for all boys informed by best practice and evidence.

About TGS

TGS was founded in 1875 and is a member school of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS). It is an independent non-denominational day and boarding school for boys with a total enrolment of 1,200 from Preparatory to Year 12. There are approximately 300 boarders in the School coming predominantly from throughout Queensland, Northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The School's campus covers 20.5 hectares and is located one kilometre from the centre of Toowoomba.

It is our vision that our boys will graduate from TGS with the skills to be independent, well-balanced, and successful in life. That they are boys of good character who respond well to challenges and achieve life-long wellbeing.

TGS has been honoured with The Educator's 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice award. The Award acknowledges excellence in providing competitive salaries, employee benefits, professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect.

In 2025, TGS will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. We are calling it Grammar 150 and this will be an incredible year for the School. Click here to learn more about Grammar 150 and what you can expect if you were to join TGS in 2025.

About the Position

The School Counsellor is part of the pastoral care leadership team which strives to promote the educational vision of the School and provide strong leadership in the implementation of that vision.

The School Counsellor will be a person of integrity and professional credibility who will bring to the position zest, enthusiasm and energy and will embrace the ideals of collaboration, co-operation, compassion, integrity and teamwork. Their role will extend to providing leadership, developing a climate of excellence, and in every way promoting the wellbeing and care of students in the School.

Selection Criteria:

• Teacher registration is not required but membership of either the Australian Psychological Association or the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association is essential.
• The ability to support Junior School and Senior School boys.
• Previous experience in a counselling position within a school environment.

You will be able to demonstrate your ability and commitment to:

• the knowledge and understanding of counselling and psychotherapy in a boys' school environment.
• maintaining currency of knowledge of research into best practice pedagogy and provide opportunities to assist staff in their dealings with individual students.
• ensuring that all students with diverse learning needs have appropriate access to the curriculum in the classroom by establishing effective liaison with the Learning Support team with regard to the appropriate support of students.
• developing links with community organisations focusing on the development of opportunities relevant to the welfare of students. This will include inviting health specialists, guest speakers from universities, corporations and governments etc. to address students.
• liaising with internal and external stakeholders and providing best practice methods to enhance student welfare, wellbeing and student success and facilitate the delivery of appropriate programs to support the students' learning.
• delivering service excellence to parents and carers by proactively engaging with and responding promptly and courteously to enquiries and requests for information.
• maintaining interest in continuing professional development and learning.

For a full Position Description please refer to the attachment below.

How to apply:

All applications are to be submitted via TGS's online Careers Portal and include:

• a cover letter addressed to the Headmaster addressing the vacancy being applied for;
• a resume;
• the names and contact details of three confidential referees.

Enquiries should be directed to the Deputy Headmaster, Mr John Anderson on 07 4687 2500 or email j.anderson@twgs.qld.edu.au

Applications close on 14 April 2025.

Please note the advertising closing date is indicative only and TGS reserves the right to close the advertisement before this date is reached. Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

We do not welcome interest from recruitment agencies at this time.

Applicants must possess the legal right to live and work in Australia to be considered for this position.

Working with Children

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. All School staff, unless otherwise eligible for an exemption, must possess a current Positive Notice or "Blue Card" issued under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 before commencing employment with the School. Volunteer Blue Cards are required to be transferred to Paid Employment cards.