Position Description

Position School Counsellor

Reports to Director (Students) and or the Deputy Principal (Head of Junior School)

Type Part time, contract position

Classification Wellbeing Services Grade 3; Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award 2010

Last updated February 2021

The Role

With approximately 1,400 students across the School and a Boarding House of approximately 50 students, the
School Counsellor is part of the Pastoral Care team and is directly responsible to the Director (Students) and or
the Deputy Principal (Head of Junior School).

Duties

It is the nature of the work at Canberra Girls Grammar School that tasks and responsibilities are, in many

circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the

occasion arises and undertake tasks that are not specifically covered in the position description.

As Counsellor:

• Provide timely and effective counselling for any student, self-referred or referred by parents or staff
• Assess the issue and take appropriate action as necessary
• Recommend options for students in need of learning support
• Where appropriate, and within the boundaries of confidentiality, liaise with the Principal, Deputy

Principal (Head of Senior School), Deputy Principal (Head of Junior School), Director (Students), Head

of Boarding, Head of House or Tutor, any student who is of concern

• Offer support to parents as necessary
• Offer support to staff regarding concerns about a student
• Facilitate parent meetings

Other:

• Participate in the School’s pastoral care program
• Join and attend meetings/activities of the Pastoral Care Team
• Run Parent Education courses when demand exists and time permits
• Liaise closely with the other (part-time) School Counsellor
• Maintain efficient records
• Undertake such other duties as may be required by the Principal

2

Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Eligibility for registered membership with an appropriate professional association (ie Australian

Psychological Society APS, or Australian Association of Social Workers AASW)

• Experience as a mental health practitioner working with children and young people
• An ability to work independently and collaboratively with the Pastoral Care Team and other school staff

for the promotion of students’ wellbeing

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable Qualifications/Attributes for the Position

• Experience working in a school environment
• Experience working with external agencies such as CYPS and CAMHS