Head of Faith and Formation

The Head of Faith and Formation works in close partnership with the College Pastor and Principal to strengthen the spiritual life, identity and mission of the College.

Title of Position: Head of Faith and Formation
Type of Appointment: Full time commencing January 2027 or earlier by negotiation

1 Conditions

Established in 2001 in a picturesque setting in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Pacific Lutheran College is a leading K-12 learning community that is innovative, dynamic and progressive. Firmly underpinned by the values and traditions of excellence of Lutheran Education in Australia, students have achieved outstanding success in the academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of their lives. Enrichment programs in all three areas have enabled students to explore their potential.

Our staff take advantage of flexibility in physical and virtual spaces to support an increasingly personalised approach to learning for our young people. Pacific has a seamless curriculum across Kindergarten to Year 12 with teams of teachers working across the four subgroups of the College. Staff are expected to learn collaboratively to contribute to a whole school approach as they lead learning in the Foundation College (Kindergarten – Year 2), Junior College (Years 3-5), Middle College (Years 6-9) and Senior College (Years 10-12).

Salary and related conditions are as per the Teachers’ (Non-Government Schools) Award in conjunction with the current Lutheran Schools’ Enterprise Agreement.

2 Role Description

The Head of Faith and Formation works in close partnership with the College Pastor and Principal to strengthen the spiritual life, identity and mission of the College.

Specifically, the Head of Faith and Formation provides strategic and operational leadership for the College’s Lutheran identity, staff and student formation, worship program, service learning and community engagement. As a member of the Administration and Learning Executive, the Head of Faith and Formation ensures that the College’s Christian mission is expressed coherently through its culture, relationships, programs, policies and practices. The Head of Faith and Formation has a strong visible presence within the College and supports the local Lutheran congregation.

The Head of Faith and Formation is directly answerable to the Principal and will be expected to contribute to the development of the identity and formation of staff, students and families of the College through:

Strengthening Lutheran Identity

• Seek to promote at all times the Lutheran aims of the College and to enhance its Lutheran identity.
• Coordinate and contribute to the whole-school devotional, chapel and worship program and the formation of staff and students.
• Support formation through occasional leadership of worship activities for students, staff and the College community.

Enhancing Excellence in Teaching and Learning

• Knowledge of how Lutheran theology provides the foundation for and informs educational theory and practice in the Lutheran school context.
• Lead the formation and learning of adults and students coming from a range of backgrounds, in their connection to the Lutheran identity and ability to respect alternative traditions and perspectives.
• Lead the Service Learning program of the College.
• Ability to work and plan collaboratively with colleagues and support the learning of Christian Studies in the College.

Engage in Ongoing Improvement and Innovation

• Develop and implement the College’s Faith and Formation Strategy and annual priorities.
• Commit to ongoing theological and professional learning.
• Promote and enact the College’s values and mission.
• Assist in the regular evaluation of the ministry and mission of the College, including their own role in that ministry and mission.
• Awareness of social trends and issues that impact the spiritual lives of adults and students.
• Capacity to reflect on practice and adopt changes that lead to ongoing improvement.

Community Building

• Nurture strong and effective relationships with staff, students and families of the College. This would include the leadership of small groups including the College’s youth group.
• Work with the Pastor and the Pastoral Care team (including the College Counsellor) to provide spiritual, social and emotional support for members of the College community and be sensitive to the need to refer individuals to appropriate professional help as required.
• Network with Heads of Faith and Formation and like roles within schools.
• Help foster an active prayer life within the College community. Encourage Christians in the College community to witness for Christ and to be involved in mission activities in the College and in the congregations in their local communities, including St Mark's Lutheran Church congregation, Caloundra, while being sensitive to and respecting the faith of those who may profess a different faith.
• Support the College’s service to others in local, national and international contexts.

Leading Effective Organisation and Management

• Develop and implement the College’s Faith and Formation strategy, annual priorities, budget and improvement plan.
• Report to the Principal, Senior Leadership Team and governing body on programs, progress and outcomes.
• Coordinate the whole-school chapel and worship program, including calendars, rosters, themes, speakers, resources, and student engagement.
• Develop staff and student confidence to lead chapel, prayer and devotions.
• Coordinate staff formation sessions, induction, Connect training, accreditation pathways, professional learning and staff retreats.
• Monitor staff formation and accreditation requirements in consultations with the Director of Staff and the Principal.
• Lead the Spirituality and Service Action Group and oversee the College’s service-learning strategy and partnerships which would include international or national service learning experiences.
• Lead and continue to develop youth group programs, student Bible study groups, prayer groups and voluntary faith activities.
• Develop a coherent approach to student formation through chapel, retreats, service, camps, leadership and voluntary faith activities.
• Work in conjunction with the Head of Outdoor Education for the spiritual-formation elements of outdoor education programs.
• Contribute a Faith and Formation perspective to strategic planning, recruitment, policy, critical incidents and significant school decisions.
• Represent the school in relevant LEQ, LEA and wider Lutheran education networks.
• Undertake a small, agreed teaching load that supports visibility and relationships.
• Prepare, manage and monitor the annual Mission and Ministry budget in consultation with the Pastor and relevant staff. Exercises responsibility for expenditure and resource allocation within the approved budget.
• Contribute written reflections to the College Compass newsletter on a fortnightly basis, alternating articles with the College Pastor.

3 Workplace Health and Safety

Effective implementation of the College’s Workplace Health and Safety Manual requires the active involvement of all employees. All employees have an obligation to comply with statutory and organisational requirements, procedures and rules that are intended to protect the health and safety of persons at the workplace including the general public. Please see the complete requirements on the duty statement published on the College website: Career Opportunities - Pacific Lutheran College

4 Commitment to Child Safety

Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) are committed to providing environments where children and students are safe, supported, and able to thrive. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation in any form. The safety and wellbeing of children and students is our highest priority and the paramount consideration in all decision‑making involving children and students. We recognise that safeguarding children and students requires deliberate, consistent action. This includes maintaining strong systems, building capability across our workforce, and ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and acted upon without delay.

We are committed to:

• acting with the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and students as the paramount consideration at all times:
• meeting the 10 Child Safe Standards in every part and activity of our organisation
• creating culturally safe environments that are free of racism and discrimination, and upholding the right to cultural safety of all children, and especially those who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Island persons (the universal principle)
• creating and maintaining environments that prevent harm and reduce risk through strong governance, supervision and safe practices
• listening to, respecting, and taking seriously the voices of children and students
• responding promptly and appropriately to concerns, disclosures, or allegations, including through fair and child‑centred processes
• complying with all legislative and regulatory child safety obligations, including mandatory reporting and the Reportable Conduct Scheme

This commitment will be communicated to children, students, families and staff. Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) will maintain accessible pathways for raising concerns.

We are committed to regular training and educating our workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) on child and cultural safety. We do not tolerate child abuse or harm, racism or discrimination. We will take the steps necessary in line with our policies, procedures, risk management practices and codes of conduct to ensure that we maintain child and culturally safe environments. All workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) share responsibility for child safety and wellbeing and are expected to uphold this commitment in their roles.

5 Selection Criteria

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate or have the demonstrated capacity to develop the capabilities described below:

• SC1: A deep knowledge of and heart for the principles and practices of the Lutheran ethos of the College.
• SC2: High levels of strategic, organisational and interpersonal skills in supporting staff, students and parents in their explorations of faith, identity and service-learning opportunities.
• SC3: An open and creative approach to the nurturing of individuals and faith communities that takes into account the diverse strengths, needs, experiences, capacities and interests of adults and young people and their families.
• SC4: Knowledge and demonstrated skills of contemporary educational practice, including a high level of pedagogical expertise, and familiarity with relevant QCAA and Australian syllabuses. A commitment to the continual enhancement of individual student learning in line with the College’s pedagogical framework will be expected. This includes the use of documented planning, monitoring and assessment practices to ensure high standards of learning occur. An understanding of effective adult learning practices will be expected.
• SC5: High levels of organisational skills, flexibility, confidentiality, creativity, teamwork, innovation and perseverance required to contribute to the nurturing of wellbeing and faith in a highly effective dynamic K-12 learning community.

6 Conditions

• Complete an annual review process and a College Head of Faith and Formation Appraisal every three years.
• Have a blue card and/or is a teacher registered with the Queensland College of Teachers.
• Complete compulsory induction courses, necessary for the workplace generally and specifically a workplace of the Lutheran Church.
• Be familiar with policies and adhere to guidelines e.g. OHSW, Sexual Abuse and Harassment Policy and Mandatory Reporting.
• Attend Professional Development opportunities as negotiated with the Principal/Director of Staff.
• Perform other duties as may be required by the Principal.
• The College offers a concession on tuition fees for children of staff.
• Attend meetings as negotiated with, or directed by, the Principal.
• Uphold the specific character of the College as indicated in the aims.
• To cooperate fully with the Principal and other members of the staff and, in general, comply with the customs and traditions of the College.
• Salary and conditions will be negotiated depending on the qualifications and role of the successful applicant in line with the current Queensland Lutheran Schools Enterprise Agreement. Where the Head of Faith and Formation role involves formal teaching, this will be a negotiated load between 0.3 and 0.4. The contract is for a four year period. In the third year of the contract the incumbent will undergo a formal appraisal.

Please feel free to contact the Principal, regarding any queries you may have about your application. Applicants must address the selection criteria and email their application to admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au attention Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal, Pacific Lutheran College, by noon Wednesday 16th September 2026.

School Information
Website: http://www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au
Principal: Dr Bronwyn Dolling
Affiliation: Lutheran
Teaching Level: Combined
Gender: Coed
1200 Students
80 Teaching Staff
70 Non-Teaching Staff

Application Instructions

Applicants must address the selection criteria and email their application to admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au Attention: Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal, Pacific Lutheran College, by midday on Wednesday 16 September 2026.