Clongowes Wood College is one of Ireland’s oldest and most successful boarding schools. The College is committed to the provision of the highest quality Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition.
We are currently inviting applications for following roles:
Director of Rugby
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to the full-time role of Director of Rugby for the start of the 2023 – 4 academic year. A willingness to do some teaching or assist with boarding supervision of the boys will be an advantage.
Our Mission Clongowes Wood College was founded in 1814 and is one of Ireland’s oldest and most successful boarding schools with an enrolment of c.440. We continue today under the College’s motto: aeterna non caduca, striving for the lasting (eternal) values and not the ephemeral ones.
We are committed to the provision of the highest quality Catholic education in the Jesuit tradition. Our mission is to educate students according to the highest standards of Jesuit schooling and the values of the Gospel as expressed in The Characteristics of Jesuit Education and the more recent A Living Tradition in the 21 st Century. It is our fidelity to Clongowes’ Jesuit mission and Christian teaching that stand us in good stead in the demanding times we live in and the challenges which lie ahead.
Living together in a boarding school gives the opportunity to develop a real sense of family and to fulfil one of the aims of Jesuit education to become a man for others. The school strives to ensure that cura personalis, the importance of looking after and caring for the individual, is a strong element in everything that we do. We are dedicated to forming young leaders whose core will be the mission of the Gospel: reconciliation with justice and compassionate care for all creation.
The Person The successful applicant will be an ambitious, enthusiastic, well-qualified and suitably experienced coach who has a proven track record in the development of young rugby players. Stage 4 coaching accreditation, or equivalent, is desirable though not essential. The successful candidate is likely to possess these and most, if not all, of the following attributes:
- Ability to promote our aims and values as a Catholic boarding school in the Jesuit tradition, understanding the importance of nurturing our ethos and being a role model for all.
- Excellent leadership skills and a clear vision and the ability to steer rugby in Clongowes onto the next stage of its development. Strong evidence of putting new ideas and approaches into practice.
- A collaborative, enabling approach and a ‘team player’, demonstrating care and compassion and yet able to lead and manage decisively. Possess a reflective style.
- A track record of nurturing strong relationships with rugby coaches and other colleagues, boys, and parents.
- Vision to take advantage of modern and emerging technology in support of rugby development.
- Demonstrable commitment to personal professional development.
- Exceptional communicator and good listener able to represent the College well in public and portray a professional image.
- Strong organisational skills and an able administrator capable of managing the day-to-day requirements of this role.
- Ability to remain calm when under pressure; employing tact and diplomacy in difficult or sensitive situations which may arise; and displaying good humour and a sense of proportion.
- Commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of young people.
The Post
The Director of Rugby is responsible for the leadership and management of rugby in the College to ensure that rugby remains at the core of the College’s current co-curricular life, and true to our history and traditions. The postholder will lead a talented and committed team of coaches, supported by our strength and development coach, physiotherapist and nurses. The person appointed will be expected to foster strong working relationships with a range of colleagues.
The Director of Rugby immediately reports to the Director of Sport. Responsibilities include to:
- Lead the strategic development and execution of an ambitious rugby programme including a whole school style of play. Manage and monitor its effectiveness, including conducting regular reviews with coaching teams. Provide a high standard of coaching and personal development.
- Endeavour to encourage boys of all abilities and ages to enjoy participating in rugby, and to play to a high standard.
- Ensure that all coaches are appropriately qualified to coach and referee rugby and encourage their professional development. Run coach development programmes.
- Lead colleagues in an environment that promotes wellbeing and ensures that Clongowes rugby maintains the highest standards of health, safety, welfare, and respect for the laws of the game and its spirit.
- Organise all rugby fixtures in advance of the season. Ensure clear and prompt communication about rugby fixtures and training to boys, coaches, and parents. Communicate news about the College’s rugby programme internally and externally, including to our Old Clongownian network.
- Ensure that transport, hospitality, officials, grounds and first aid/nursing cover are organised for fixtures.
- Oversee, and contribute to, rugby tours in Ireland and overseas.
- Be available to meet prospective students and parents in conjunction with the Director of Admissions and Communications, and run rugby-related activities which support our student recruitment activities.
- Contribute to the summer sports programme.
- Be the point of contact for Leinster branch and the IRFU, maximising the relationships to ensure that available resources are utilised. Encourage boys to aspire to play at provincial and national levels.
From time-to-time, job descriptions may be reviewed to reflect or anticipate changes in the College’s requirements, and if it is necessary to do this, those involved will be consulted.
Terms of Appointment
- Application process Applicants should include a curriculum vitae, completed application form and a separate letter highlighting their personal qualities and experience, with specific reference to the requirements set out in this information for applicants.
Please note that references will not be accepted from relatives or from people writing solely in the capacity of friends. One referee should be the applicant’s current or most recent employer. The College will seek references from short-listed candidates and may approach previous employers for information to verify experience or qualifications. Where an applicant is currently working with children, the current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children and whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. Where an applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, that previous employer will be asked about those issues.
- Residency Requirement Successful candidates must be entitled to work and reside in Ireland.
- Accommodation Single accommodation onsite is available.
- Salary The salary will reflect the qualifications and experience of the person appointed. The notice period will be one term, following an initial probationary period.
- Pension Scheme A Staff Pension Scheme is available to all staff once they have completed 12 months’ service. The College contributes 9% of salary to the Scheme.
- Safeguarding The interview process will explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory outcome of Garda Vetting.
Candidates should submit their application by email to the Director of Sport, John O’ Donoghue, (jodonoghue@clongowes.net) to arrive no later than 5pm, Thursday 1st June 2023. Interviews will be conducted face-to-face in Clongowes, or via Zoom, depending on personal circumstances.
Housemaster/Housemistress
For September 2023
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to fill the role of Housemaster/Housemistress for September 2023 to be part of our boarding staff team. Involvement in the co-curricular life of the College is expected. Some teaching could be offered to a successful applicant, though this is not essential. Accommodation is available.
Please contact the Headmaster’s PA (ifitzpatrick@clongowes.net) for further information. Candidates should submit a completed application form and a curriculum vitae by email to arrive no later than Thursday 1st June 2023. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date via Zoom or on-site.
Clongowes Wood College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Child Safeguarding. The successful candidate will be subject to a Garda Vetting procedural check prior to taking up this position.
Teacher of English
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding individual as a full-time teacher of English for the start of the 2023 – 24 academic year. The ability to offer geography or religious education as a second subject will be an advantage. The position will equally suit an experienced or more recently qualified teacher. A willingness to be involved in some aspect of our broad co-curricular programme will also be welcomed. Single accommodation is available for a teacher willing to contribute to boarding duties.
Please contact the Headmaster’s PA (ifitzpatrick@clongowes.net) for further information. Candidates should submit a completed application form and a curriculum vitae by email to arrive as soon as possible though no later than Thursday 25th May 2023. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date via Zoom/Teams or on-site.
Clongowes Wood College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Child Safeguarding. The successful candidate will be subject to a Garda Vetting procedural check prior to taking up this position.
Pastoral Support Coordinator
We are seeking to appoint a passionate and energetic person to fill the role of Pastoral Support Coordinator for late August 2023.
The purpose of this newly-created role is to contribute to the delivery and continued development of our Ethos Programme, which is central to the College’s day-to-day life. The ideal candidate will have an authentic interest in, and passion for, Jesuit education and its values. Educated to degree level, the person appointed will have relevant experience in faith-formation, youth ministry and/or outreach work in an education-related activity. An understanding of the unique aspects of boarding school life will be desirable though not essential.
Please contact Ms Kate O’Donoghue, Human Resources, (kodonoghue@clongowes.net) for further information. Candidates should submit a completed application form, cover letter and a curriculum vitae to arrive by email as soon as possible though no later than Friday 19th May 2023. Interviews will be held on-site or via MS Teams/Zoom.
Clongowes Wood College SJ is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Child Safeguarding.
Senior Rugby Assistant Coach
Clongowes Wood College SJ is recruiting for the position of Senior Rugby Backs/Assistant coach. This position is for the 2023/24 season and presents the opportunity for the successful candidate to become a key member of the coaching team with the Senior rugby panel in the school.
A discernible energy and a commitment to daily improvement will be essential. An appreciation of coaching rugby within a school setting and the role of rugby in developing young people should be well understood.
Clongowes Wood College SJ is an all-boys 7-day boarding school in the Jesuit tradition. Flexibility will be a necessity for the successful candidate as hours of work will be complementary to our boarding timetable. This is a part-time role but will involve a significant time commitment across the season. Qualification at Stage 4 LTPD preferred but not essential.
Applications including a cover letter and CV to be sent to Director of Rugby, Tomás O’Leary (toleary@clongowes.net) no later than 12th May, 2023.
Clongowes Wood College SJ is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to Child Safeguarding. The successful candidate will be subject to a full Garda Vetting procedural check prior to taking up this position.
Application process
Candidates should submit a completed application form and a curriculum vitae by email to arrive no later than Friday 12th May 2023.
