Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) Internship Opportunity

The Adelaide Graduate Research School (AGRS) and Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) are partnering to create an internship opportunityfor University of Adelaide PhD students, to contribute to the following project.

About Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) 

We are an educational sector that is committed to providing excellence for every child whose learning and education is entrusted to our care. Our learning experiences are grounded in Catholic values and beliefs. We want every student to experience success according to their unique characteristics and talent.

Our approach is to work in partnership with families and communities to create opportunities for students to encounter life to the full – in all its personal, intellectual, religious, social and cultural richness.

Across our state, over 8,000 staff care for over 52,000 students in 101 Catholic schools. 

Internship activities:

As a system, we would like to undertake an audit to develop baseline data around our sustainability principles - both in the design, operation and user experience in our buildings and landscapes and in the eco-literacy in our education programs. We have attached a context paper to provide background information on our project intent.

Phase 1: Analysis/Research (8 weeks TBC) 

• Researching best practice models and collaborating with partners who have undertaken similar audits of sustainable design and system strategy.
• Co-design of framework including criteria/parameters for auditing tools, interview templates, output reporting templates.
• Program drafting. 
• Expected outputs. 

Phase 2: Implementation (14 weeks TBC) 

• Engaging with approximately ten CESA schools (consulting with school principals, business managers and key staff), selected staff from the Catholic Education Office (CEO) and the CEO Planning & Development team 
• Collating data
• Developing key themes and gaps based on data collection and developing a summary of results. 

Phase 3: Output reporting (and presentation(s)) (8 weeks TBC) 

• Preparing a brief audit report of findings, to inform and refine the auditing template
• Developing a final template for further use
• Presentations to key personnel and advisory groups within Catholic Education South Australia

The above project plan is flexible based on student expertise and commitment needs. The student will be supported by a staff member in the Planning & Development team at the CEO.

Screening requirements are expected to be undertaken before commencement of the internship. These include:

• Cleared Declaration Form 
• Valid DHS Working with Childrens Check
• Catholic Clearance Card 
• E-screening cleared

An interview process will occur to ensure suitability for this role. You may be requested to provide documentation and materials for the interview, outlining specific research you have undertaken relevant to this role and a methodology outlining your process ideas for the role.

The anticipated commencement date of the internship is May 2024 (subject to WWCC clearance)

Eligibility:  The PhD student must be:  

• within the first 18 months of their candidature,  
• willing to undertake the research internship for a minimum duration of 60 FTE business days,  
• making satisfactory progress, and  
• undertaking research in an area aligned with the proposed research internship project  

More information about University of Adelaide's Research Internships is available here .

Application Process:  To apply, please email the following documents to [email protected]  (HDR Internships Team) with the subject line – CESA Internships:  

• Resume
• Cover Letter (of not more than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the internship and describing how your research area aligns with the proposed field of research internship.  

Please note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the advertisement may be closed earlier if a suitable applicant is shortlisted for a particular project prior to the listed closing date. Furthermore, if shortlisted, a meeting is likely to be organised between the student, their supervisor and the organisation's focal contact person within a week of shortlisting. Students may consider discussing their internship plans with their Principal Supervisor in anticipation of that.