<p><strong>About the business</strong></p> <p>Padua College is a thriving Catholic Secondary School on the Mornington Peninsula, with 2500 students across four campuses. We believe purpose resides in every student, and so nurture each student’s potential, supporting them to grow in character, discover talents, and embrace their unique callings.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>About the role</strong></p> <p>Applications are sought for the position of Head of Applied Learning Pathways - POL 4. This is a 3 year tenured Position of Leadership in conjunction with an ongoing teaching appointment.</p> <p><strong>Padua College</strong>&nbsp;provides a contemporary Catholic secondary co-education for young people within the regions of the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Bay. Our College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and is named after St Anthony of Padua. In partnership with our students, staff, parents, parishes and the wider community, Padua College gives witness to the Christian faith in our Catholic tradition. We aim to be a positive, creative, hope-filled learning community where Catholic values and spirit are shared and the sacred dignity of each person is nurtured.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<strong>North Star</strong>&nbsp;is our guiding direction. It encompasses our “why” at Padua College as we align our vision and action. It inspires, challenges, and provides direction.</p> <p>We want every person to:</p> <p>• recognise and utilise their God-given talents;</p> <p>• be the best they can be; and</p> <p>• make a positive impact on their world.</p> <p><strong>Our Core Values:</strong></p> <p>a) We welcome and affirm</p> <p>b) We inspire growth of the whole person</p> <p>c) We create a love of learning</p> <p>d) We build positive relationships</p> <p>e) We embrace diversity</p> <p>f) We show compassion for those in need</p> <p>g) We reconcile and forgive</p> <p>h) We work for a just and peaceful world</p> <p><strong>OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE</strong></p> <p>The Head of Applied Learning Pathways is a key leader within the College’s Learning and Teaching Team, responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and implementation of Applied Learning programs and pathways.</p> <p>The role integrates leadership of high-quality teaching and learning with the oversight of individual student pathways, including subject selection, VET (Vocational Education and Training), and Structured Workplace Learning, ensuring that all Applied Learning programs—including but not limited to Hands on Learning, VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM), Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), and Applied Learning Programs—are rigorous, compliant, and aligned with the College’s Learning and Teaching Framework and Educational Strategic Plan.</p> <p>In partnership with the Learning and Teaching Executive Committee, Careers, VET and the Senior Pathways Team, the Head of Applied Learning Pathways sets the direction for Applied Learning at Padua College. The role ensures that all students are supported to access relevant, personalised, and future-focused pathways that maximise engagement, achievement, and successful transition to employment, further education, or training.</p> <p>The Head of Applied Learning Pathways leads innovation in curriculum design, program delivery, and applied learning pedagogy, explicitly connecting high-quality teaching with student engagement, successful learning, and positive post-school outcomes. The role is instrumental in building staff capacity, fostering a culture of high expectations, and ensuring consistency and excellence in teaching practice across all Applied Learning programs.</p> <p>A key feature of the role is the development and maintenance of strong partnerships with industry, training providers, and community organisations, enabling authentic learning opportunities and high-quality structured workplace learning experiences for students.</p> <p>The Head of Applied Learning Pathways also oversees program compliance, administration, and quality assurance, ensuring all programs meet the requirements of external authorities, including VCAA, MACS and relevant regulatory bodies.</p> <p>The Head of Applied Learning Pathways is a key member of the Senior Pathways Team and reports directly to the Vice Principal - Learning and Teaching and is guided by the Head/Directors of Campus and Assistant Head of Campus - Learning and Pedagogy.</p> <p><strong>MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY</strong></p> <p>The Head of Applied Learning Pathway’s major areas of responsibility include but are not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of Applied Learning programs including Hands on Learning, VCE VM, VPC and Applied Learning Programs, ensuring that programs align with VCAA, VCEA and VRQA requirements and the College’s Learning and Teaching Framework;</li> <li>overseeing individual student pathways, including subject selection, VET, Structured Workplace Learning, and post-school transitions, ensuring students have a pathway that enables successful transition to employment, training, or further education which maximises engagement, retention, and successful outcomes;</li> <li>leading high-quality teaching and learning practices across Applied Learning through data-informed improvement and alignment to AITSL standards, ensuring consistency, rigour, and effective pedagogy across all programs and promoting innovative and contemporary applied learning methodologies;</li> <li>building staff capacity through coaching, professional learning, and collaborative practice in Applied Learning pedagogy, including leading performance, conduct, and capacity conversations with staff, and fostering a cohesive, student-centred learning culture focused on high expectations and continuous improvement;</li> <li>leading and promoting Applied Learning as a valued senior secondary pathway within the College community and developing and maintaining partnerships with industry, employers, training providers, and community organisations;</li> <li>overseeing the administration of Applied Learning programs, including enrolment, VASS requirements, quality assurance processes, and external compliance, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting, and moderation practices across all programs;</li> <li>leading effective resource management, budgeting, and program coordination across Applied Learning, including supporting the planning and delivery of external assessment preparation (such as the General Achievement Test),and coordinating meetings, communications, reporting, and promotion of the Learning Area; and</li> <li>performing other day-to-day duties and implementing decisions as requested by the Principal or the College Improvement Team.</li> </ul> <p>Teachers are supported by the Department Heads, Learning Leaders, the Assistant Heads of Campus (Learning and Pedagogy), Deputy Principals/Directors of Campus (Heads of Campus), and the Vice Principal (Learning and Teaching) across the College in the development, implementation, and teaching of the curriculum.&nbsp;</p> <p>They are also supported by the House Coordinators, Assistant Heads of Campus (Student Wellbeing and Growth), the Deputy Principals/Directors of Campus (Heads of Campus) and the Vice Principal – Students, in the pastoral care and discipline of students, as well as the smooth and effective management of classes.</p> <p><strong>SALARY REMUNERATION: According to the CEMEA 2022, $79,589.00 - $118,063.00 per annum, plus 12% superannuation.&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>A Position of Leadership 4 is $13,018.00 per annum.</strong></p> <p>Applications for this position close at <strong>10.00am Monday 19 October 2026.</strong></p> <p>All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt by return email.&nbsp;</p> <p>Shortlisted candidates will receive further communication from the College regarding the position.</p> <p>The interview process may commence prior to the closing date and, if a suitable applicant is found, the role may close early. We encourage applications for the vacancy to be submitted as soon as possible.</p> <p>Padua College is a Child Safe School and promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children. For teaching positions successful applicants will hold Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration and for non-teaching positions successful applicants will be subject to a Working with Children Check and a National Police Record Check.&nbsp;</p>