St Catherine’s School announces personal assistant vacancy for Head of School, starting January 2026 – Apply by 17th October 2025

St Catherine’s School, a well-established co-educational Catholic day school in Parkhill Gardens, Germiston, is inviting applications for a highly organised and dynamic Personal Assistant to the Head of School. This full-time position, set to commence in January 2026, requires a proactive individual with strong administrative, logistical, and communication skills, who can also uphold the school’s Catholic ethos. Prospective candidates should possess a relevant diploma or degree, along with a minimum of three years’ experience in a similar senior administrative role, with experience in a school environment being a significant advantage. Applications, including a detailed CV, three references, and a letter of motivation, must be submitted by 17th October 2025.

Detailed list of vacancy key details

• Position: Personal Assistant to the Head of School
• School Name: St Catherine’s School
• Location: Parkhill Gardens, Germiston
• School Type: Co-educational Catholic day school
• School Establishment: Established in 1908 by the Newcastle Dominican Sisters
• Grades Catered For: Pupils from Grade 000 to Matric
• Affiliations: Registered with the IEB, and a member of both ISASA and the Catholic Schools’ Office
• Start Date: January 2026
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Essential Qualifications: A relevant diploma or degree in Administration, Office Management, HR, or a related field.
• Essential Experience: A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, or Senior Administrative role.
• Advantageous Experience: Experience within a school environment.
• Key Competencies Include: Advanced ICT skills, excellent organisational and time-management abilities, exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), professional interpersonal skills, discretion and confidentiality, strong problem-solving, and a thorough understanding of Catholic values and ethos.
• HR Administration: Background and hands-on knowledge of HR processes and employee records would be advantageous.
• Compliance: Willingness to participate in the broader life of the school and uphold its Catholic ethos, along with a valid Police Clearance Certificate.
• Application Deadline: 17th October 2025

Simple summary of the vacancy

St Catherine’s School is seeking to appoint a dedicated and highly efficient Personal Assistant to their Head of School. This is a crucial full-time role starting in January 2026, demanding a professional who can not only manage complex administrative, logistical, and communication tasks but also actively support the school’s Catholic ethos. The successful candidate will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth operation of the Head’s office and providing comprehensive support across various functions, including HR administration and governance compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a solid educational background in administration or a related field, coupled with at least three years of experience in a senior support role. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, outstanding organisational skills, and impeccable communication are non-negotiable. The role also requires someone with a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, and integrity, especially when handling sensitive information. Being a practising Catholic or having a deep understanding of Catholic values is essential for aligning with the school’s core principles. The PA will be expected to manage diaries, coordinate meetings and events, prepare critical documents, and act as a primary liaison for various stakeholders, including staff, parents, and the Board. Furthermore, the role involves significant HR administrative duties, from maintaining confidential staff records to assisting with recruitment and supporting policy development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive individual who thrives in a dynamic environment and is committed to contributing to the supportive community of St Catherine’s School. You can find more details about this exciting opportunity on the original vacancy listing at ISASA vacancies.

How to apply for this post

To apply for the Personal Assistant to the Head of School position at St Catherine’s School, please follow these steps:

• Prepare an abridged curriculum vitae (CV).
• Ensure your CV includes details for three professional references.
• Write a compelling letter of motivation explaining your suitability for the role and your alignment with the school’s ethos.
• Submit all these documents via email to Mrs May Alli at [email protected].
• Make sure your application reaches the school by the closing date of 17th October 2025.

Questions and advice for potential candidates

Here are some questions a potential candidate might have, along with advice on how to be a preferred applicant:

Q: What makes St Catherine’s School unique, and how can I show my alignment with its ethos?

A: St Catherine’s is a Catholic school established by Dominican Sisters in 1908. To stand out, research the Dominican values and the school’s history. In your letter of motivation, clearly articulate how your personal values align with Catholic principles and the school’s commitment to community and education. Mention any involvement in faith-based activities or your understanding of how a school’s ethos shapes its environment.

Q: The vacancy mentions “experience within a school environment will be a distinct advantage.” How important is this?

A: While not strictly mandatory, it’s highly advantageous. If you have school experience, highlight specific examples of how you managed school-specific challenges like term-time pressures, parent communication, or supporting educational leadership. If you don’t, focus on transferable skills from other administrative roles, such as managing diverse stakeholders, coordinating complex calendars, or handling sensitive information, and express your keenness to adapt to a school setting.

Q: How can I demonstrate “advanced ICT skills with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications”?

A: Don’t just list “proficient in MS Office.” Instead, mention specific advanced functions you’ve used in Word (e.g., mail merges, complex document formatting), Excel (e.g., pivot tables, data analysis), PowerPoint (e.g., creating professional presentations for leadership), and Outlook (e.g., complex diary management, shared calendars). Quantify where possible, like “managed a shared calendar for 15 executives.”

Q: What should I include to show my “excellent organisational and time-management abilities”?

A: Provide concrete examples. Discuss how you’ve successfully managed multiple deadlines, prioritised tasks, or implemented systems that improved efficiency. For instance, “developed a new filing system that reduced retrieval time by 20%” or “managed a Head of School’s diary with over 30 weekly appointments and various long-term projects.”

Q: How can I highlight my “HR administration background and knowledge”?

A: If you have HR experience, detail it. Mention specific HR processes you’ve handled, such as onboarding, maintaining confidential personnel files, assisting with recruitment, or supporting disciplinary procedures. If your HR experience is limited, focus on your understanding of HR best practices, data protection (POPIA), and your ability to learn quickly.

Q: What kind of “letter of motivation” would make me a preferred candidate?

A: Your letter should be tailored specifically to St Catherine’s School and this role. Go beyond simply restating your CV. Express genuine enthusiasm for the position and the school’s mission. Directly address how your skills and experience meet each key requirement, providing brief examples. Emphasise your understanding of the PA’s role in supporting school leadership and contributing to a positive school culture.

Q: What are they looking for regarding “discretion, confidentiality, and integrity”?

A: These are non-negotiable for a PA. Emphasise your professional track record of handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality in previous roles. You could state, “I am meticulous in my approach to confidential data, always adhering to data protection principles and exercising the utmost discretion in all professional interactions.”

Q: How important is the “valid Police Clearance Certificate”?

A: Extremely important, especially in a school environment. Ensure yours is current or that you are in the process of obtaining one. Mention its validity or your proactive steps in your application to reassure the school of your compliance and suitability for working with children.

Q: What should my “three references” look like?

A: Choose professional references who can speak to your administrative skills, work ethic, and character, ideally including a direct line manager from a recent, relevant role. Ensure they are aware you have listed them and are prepared to provide a positive reference.

Q: What if I am not a practising Catholic but understand the ethos?

A: Clearly articulate your understanding and respect for Catholic values and ethos in your motivation letter. Show how you can professionally uphold and support the school’s mission and values, even if it’s not through personal religious practice. Emphasise your ability to contribute to a values-driven environment.

Q: How can I show “confidence and composure in managing challenging situations”?

A: Share an example where you successfully navigated a difficult situation or managed pressure effectively in a past role. Describe the challenge, your actions, and the positive outcome, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Institution details

• Name of Institution: St Catherine’s School
• Address: Parkhill Gardens, Germiston
• Assumed Website: www.stcatherines.org.za (based on email domain)

For those interested in exploring further career opportunities, perhaps even other teaching jobs, you can always visit SchoolClick for more listings.