Graduate Boarding Assistant

Our Mission 

Clongowes Wood College was founded in 1814 and is one of Ireland’s oldest and most successful 7-day boarding schools with an enrolment of c.450. We continue today under the College’s motto: aeterna non caduca, striving for the lasting (eternal) values and not the ephemeral. 

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 21st 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 person for others. The school strives to ensure that cura personalis, the importance of looking after and caring for the individual, is a guiding 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 Role 

The position will suit a graduate student who is considering a future in education or has a passion for sport. The role of the Graduate Boarding Assistant is to assist the Prefecting team in all aspects of their duties. Prefects in Clongowes are Housemasters in loco parentis to students. Typical duties will include:

• Help establish a home-like, family atmosphere embodying the College’s Jesuit values, and facilitate possibilities for the boys to grow in their faith.
• Supervising and leading students through their day to day routines.
• Extracurricular activities, in particular sport, play an important part of life in Clongowes. The Prefecting team are heavily involved in helping to coach and train teams. Similarly, graduate boarding assistants are also expected to facilitate boys in their extracurricular and sporting interests.
• Assist the Prefecting team with practical tasks in the dormitory and around the College.
• Duties include two overnight shifts per week. While on duty, Graduate Boarding Assistants reside in the college.
• From time-to-time, the job description may be reviewed to reflect or anticipate changes in the College’s requirements, and if it is necessary to adjust this, those involved will be consulted.

Requirements 

• An interest in working with young people, ideally within a teaching or coaching capacity.
  Demonstrate a high level of maturity with the ability to build strong relationships with boys, parents
  or colleagues.
• Supportive of our Jesuit ethos.
• Collaborative and flexible approach & comfortable working as part of a team.
• Naturally possess a positive mind-set.
• Confident and persuasive written and verbal communicator.
• Able to represent the College well in public.
• Calm under pressure; employ tact and diplomacy in difficult or sensitive situations.
• Have a commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of young people.
• Demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence.
• A good sense of humour and a sense of proportion.
• Drivers Licence

Benefits 

• Extensive Sports Facilities including gym and pool
• 9 hole golf course
• Accommodation provided on campus

Terms of employment 

Term: The post is fixed term from late August 2025 to the end of June 2026.

Residency requirement: Successful candidates must be entitled to work and reside in Ireland.

Accommodation: Single accommodation onsite is available.

Salary: By negotiation with the Headmaster. The notice period will be one term, following an initial probationary period.
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.

Application Process

Expressions of interest for this role should be made to sgray@clongowes.net as soon as possible but no later than Thursday 9th May. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and completed application form.

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.