Professional Development
The board of St Joseph's School complies with the principle of being a good employer, which includes providing opportunities for enhancing the abilities of individual staff members (Education and Training Act 2020, s 597(2)(e)). The school supports staff to engage in professional development that enhances the quality of teaching, learning, and support services, and aligns with the strategic direction of our school.
As part of the ongoing evaluation of our Catholic special character, we consider how professional development and formation will safeguard and strengthen our Catholic special character. See Safeguarding and Strengthening Catholic Special Character.
St Joseph's School provides an ongoing programme of Catholic special character professional learning and formation, including the principles of Catholic social teaching, and how these apply to staff responsibilities. The school ensures that staff who hold 
special positions can access professional development appropriate to the requirements of their role.
The Education and Training Act 2020 (Schedule 6) provides requirements for special positions that relate to the special character of the school.
Clause 47 requirements
Where religious instruction forms part of the special character of the school, clause 47 provides conditions for appointment to special positions. A condition of appointment to these positions is a willingness and ability to take part in religious instruction appropriate to the school, and this is stated in any advertisement for this position.
The integration agreement sets out which positions this condition of appointment applies to (e.g. the principal and director of religious studies). The integration agreement also sets out what proportion of teaching positions carry a responsibility for religious instruction, where this condition of appointment also applies.
Clause 50 requirements
Clause 50 applies to other special positions where conditions of appointment include particular capabilities or the requirement to maintain programmes and activities that reflect the special character of the school. This is stated in any advertisement for the position and conditions or requirements must be accepted by the appointee.
Education and Training Act 2020 (Schedule 6, clauses 47 and 50)
The board allocates funding to our programme of Catholic special character professional learning and formation, particularly for the professional development and spiritual formation of the principal and other staff with special positions.
Professional development at St Joseph's School aims to:
- progress the capability and competence of individual staff
- address any gaps in the capabilities of our staff as a whole
- ensure that staff meet new requirements as they are introduced.
Staff submit applications for professional development to the principal or their delegate, and may also be required to submit funding applications to the board. Professional development for the principal is approved in consultation with the board.
Student and staff needs and operational requirements are taken into account when considering applications for professional development. This includes:
- Budget requirements and costs – ensuring the cost of professional development is reasonable, and proportional to the value that it would provide to the school.
- Student needs and staffing requirements – scheduling professional development for times that have minimal impact on student (e.g. during teacher-only days).
- Non-contact/Release time – complying with employment agreement provisions and supporting staff to use non-contact/release time to meet school-related responsibilities, including professional development.
- Equal employment opportunities – providing equal access to (and consideration for) professional development.
Related policies
Resources
: Term 4 2024, Term 3 2020
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