APPOINTMENT –

Head of Secondary

Background:

Commencing operations in 1995 with 41 students, two teachers and two demountables, the school has grown steadily with the introduction of Secondary education in 2005. Today, Medowie Christian School is a healthy, thriving learning centre delivering inspiring education for students from Prep to Year 12. Our school has a multi-million dollar multipurpose hall with full-size basketball court. All classrooms are fully air-conditioned. MCS is accredited and registered with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and are active members of the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) and the Association of Independent Schools (AIS). In 2017, MCS was accredited to commence International Education after obtaining CRICOS registration. We aim to provide the students at Medowie Christian School with the opportunity to develop loving hearts with helping hands, from Medowie to the world beyond our shores. We want the students of Medowie Christian School to develop a love for the community and a heart for responsible global citizenship. We seek to become a community known globally for its love, care, big dreams and passion to make a difference for God by developing a spirit of generosity. Medowie Christian School is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance of matters pertaining to reportable conduct.

Bringing Students to Life ®:

SPIRITUALLY We acknowledge the Bible as the standard for faith and practice in order to:

Give each member of the community the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with God through Jesus.

Inspire faith and model citizenship Promote an informed, extensive world view for the

transformation and blessing of communities.

COGNITIVELY Within a Christ-centred environment, we provide quality education by:

Identifying and supporting individual needs.

Programming in accordance with NESA guidelines.

Recognising and promoting excellence.

Teaching skills required for knowledge and understanding instilling values that foster

a love of learning. SOCIALLY / EMOTIONALLY We teach and model skills which:

Promote the motivation and ability to serve others.

Inspire, encourage and build self-esteem.

Foster acceptance and valuing of

every person.

Create an environment which encourages innovation and creativity Values growth in character.

PHYSICALLY We promote a healthy lifestyle through:

Developing respect and appreciation for God’s creation, with particular relevance to the human body and the environment Encouraging God-honouring choices.

Community and High Performance Sport.

Position Description: Position: Head of Secondary

FTE: 1.0

Award: INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS NSW TEACHERS (HYBRID MODEL) MULTI-ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT 2017

Core Purpose: To provide inspirational leadership to the Secondary School to secure continuous school improvement.

Nature of the Role: The Head of Secondary School (Year 7 - Year 12) will oversee the day to day running of the Secondary School. As a school that is committed to Distributive Leadership models the Head of Secondary School is responsible for driving vision and strategic alignment of Secondary School to that of the whole school vision and values. In this function, the Head of Secondary School is a member of the School Leadership Team and is responsible to the Principal for staff management, pastoral care and the academic performance of the Secondary School.

Role Scope: As the educational and organisational leader for Secondary School, reporting to the Principal, the role encompasses:

• ensuring a strong Christ centred approach to teaching and learning is exhibited. • building and sustaining the Christian culture of the school. • developing the educational philosophy into outstanding teaching and learning

programs, practices and experiences that foster creativity and curiosity in students. • embedding the school’s model of wellbeing into all activities that relate to the social

and emotional development of students in the Secondary School. • attracting, retaining and developing high quality, passionate staff who actively

engage students in the learning process and work cohesively and collaboratively as a team.

• implementing highly effective education management practices and control systems that mitigate risk, protect the learning environment and optimise the use of resources.

• positively promote the school with key stakeholders, building their confidence and pride in the school.

• a small teaching load of approximately 0.2 FTE.

Key Working Relationships:

The role requires the development and maintenance of a wide range of relationships both internally and externally.

Internal: Principal – to develop and deliver the educational strategy and collaborate on relevant educational and business initiatives, policy, compliance and operational matters for the Secondary School. Deputy Principal – to work collaboratively to develop the curricular, wellbeing and co-curricular programs and information systems that support the learning experience of students and professional needs of teachers. Head of School – to liaise and develop systems with the other Head of School for any matter that effects the operations and/or development of the whole school. Directors of Medowie Christian School (Literacy, Numeracy, High Performance and Community Sport, The Arts and STEM ) – to work collaboratively to develop a ‘whole of school’ approach to learning that inspires students and provides a seamless experience through all stages of transition. Staff – to provide leadership and build the team culture by engaging all staff in the school’s vision, purpose and values. Medowie Christian School Community – to develop close relationships with the school community, with a key focus on the Secondary School parent groups.

External: Government agencies – Under the guidance of the Principal, work with agencies to ensure performance standards and compliance requirements are met, to remain current with relevant policy developments and endeavour to influence outcomes which benefit the school including NESA. Professional – educational and school associations and networks, domestic and international – under the guidance of the Principal, engage in ongoing professional learning, participate in shaping the future of students’ education and to build relationships and networks that create current and future opportunities for the school and its students. Association of Independent Schools NSW – where appropriate, work with this agency to ensure appropriate support and access to resources for the school.

Key Accountabilities: Educational Leadership:

• Lead and develop the educational philosophy and practices of the Secondary School. • Model engagement in learning and receptiveness to innovation, feedback and new

ideas. • Engage all staff in developing and cultivating the educational strategy of the

Secondary School ensuring that it underpins every aspect of the curriculum. • Engage parents and all members of the school community in understanding the

educational strategies, philosophy and practices. • Identify and pursue opportunities to provide leadership in the wider education

community. • Lead the development and oversight of curriculum, including courses of study and

assessment, in the Secondary School. • Promote active collegial discussion about pedagogy by modelling shared instructional

leadership. • Support and evaluate quality of teaching in the Secondary School. • Promote and engage in the teacher appraisal process across the school. • Identify professional learning needs in the Secondary School and plan to meet them.

Organisational Leadership and Management: • Work closely with the Principal and School Leadership Team to lead, initiate and

contribute to designing developing and articulating the strategic direction for the school.

• Work with the Leadership Team to drive the interconnectivity between sub schools to ensure seamless delivery of an exceptional, contemporary educational experience.

• Communicate with all staff, parent groups and stakeholders regularly about the strategy, direction and successes of the school.

• Lead and manage the allocation of resources to critical issues and opportunities to ensure maximum value for and positive impact upon the Secondary School.

• Working with the Learning Enhancement Team to develop effective strategies to both support and extend students.

• Establish routines and structures for the daily operation and management of the Secondary School, including rosters, RFF timetables etc.

• Strategic resourcing – involves aligning resource selection and allocation to priority goals. This includes the provision of appropriate expertise through involvement in staff appointments.

• Planning, coordinating and evaluating teaching and the curriculum – direct involvement in the support and evaluation of teaching through regular classroom visits and provision of formative and summative feedback to teachers.

• Be responsible for Secondary School admissions. • Be responsible for student welfare and behaviour in the Secondary School. • Develop and oversee assessment and reporting for the Secondary School. • Teach classes as negotiated with the Principal.

Actively implement:

• Organisation structure, policy and procedure. • Budgets and finance – managing costs and budgets as relevant to the operation of

the Secondary School and within delegated authorities. • Technology – information systems, global and local connectivity. • The environment – site and resource usage, safety and security. • Actively participate in School Leadership meetings, all relevant school meetings and

functions.

Wellbeing Leadership: Relate and interact with students to achieve a level of connectedness that is engaging, reflects a high level of personal commitment, is responsive to the attitudes of relevant generations and is ‘in touch’ with current student needs and challenges. Ensure the ongoing development and implementation of:

• A restorative justice framework that ensures student behaviours consistently align with the standards of the school.

• Oversee the ongoing development and implementation of an effective Care Management Policy for Secondary, including being responsible for the management of the system.

• Provide a safe physical and emotional environment in the Secondary School. • Lead the development and maintenance of a collegial and supportive culture that

encourages positive risk taking and openness. • Develop and implement procedures to support good classroom engagement and

behaviour. • Liaise with the Counselling/Wellbeing team. • Liaise with the Principal about serious discipline and welfare issues. • Notify and meet with parents regarding student behaviour.

Staff Leadership and Development: Lead, inspire and motivate the performance of all staff to embrace the educational strategies and philosophy of the school. In collaboration with the Principal, actively engage in:

• Recruitment - Attracting and recruiting the highest quality staff. • Performance and Appraisal – together with the Deputy Principal and the Director’s,

clearly articulating individual accountabilities, measuring performance and providing feedback.

• Professional Development – targeted opportunities that build the skills, capability and commitment of individuals to the school.

• Career Development – providing career pathways that optimise and extend the contribution of staff.

Curriculum: • Manage the generation of timely and meaningful ‘reports’ Year 7 – Year 12. • Management of all assessment calendars and related assessment issues including

malpractice, non-compliance with assessment policies and procedures and appeals. • Implement policies and procedures for the administration of Illness/Misadventure and

Appeals. • Booking of appropriate venues and supervisors for examinations and for students

awarded disability provisions. • Ensure security of examination papers and scripts/adequate stocks of examination

booklets/exam cards with NESA numbers. • Manage the implementation of Disability Provisions and training and development of

relevant staff and volunteers. • Oversee the allocation of all Secondary academic prizes (Year 7 – Year 12). • Management of subject selection procedures including information evenings,

presentations and relevant material. • Provide advice to parents and students on subject selections (Year 7 – Year 12). • Manage variations to a student’s academic program and provide advice to students

and parents on the implications of any changes.

Selection Criteria:

Essential Requirements: A A successful and proven record as Coordinator of Secondary School, or an educational

leader with a: • Superior record of leading education across the Secondary years with an

understanding of the unique needs of adolescents at these stages. • Ability to clearly articulate in both written and oral platforms for communication • Track record of innovation in learning and curriculum development. • Record of attracting, mentoring and inspiring outstanding staff who are passionate

about education working collaboratively as a team with clear purpose and energy. • Ability to ensure that pastoral care and wellbeing is fully integrated within the

curriculum to support, inspire and challenge students at developmentally appropriate stages.

Knowledge of and experience in contemporary management practices in schools including:

• Strategic planning and implementation. • Change management. • Financial management – budgeting and planning. • Stakeholder relationships and community engagement • Well-developed understanding of compliance and duty of care within the context of

leading and managing a school. • Capacity to use technology as a primary tool for learning, connection and

communication. • Registration under the NESA teacher accreditation requirements. • Working with Children Check.

Active membership of a local Christian Church and commitment to support Medowie Christian School’s Statement of Faith.