Leader of Learning - Education Gazette...learning. Thank you for expressing an interest in this position. This role involves leading the learning of both teachers and students within

Leader of Learning APPLICATION PACK – Permanent 2 Permanent Units (+ 1 FT unit negotiable)

Applications must be received in emailed form by: 12pm, Friday 12th October

Te Kowhai School LEADER OF LEARNING APPLICATION OVERVIEW We are excited to announce that we have a permanent Leader of Learning role available at Te Kowhai School. The Te Kowhai Board of Trustees welcomes your interest in this role. It is essential we find the right person to join our team to help continue our exciting journey. This role will include release time and the year level will be decided according to the strengths of the successful candidate and needs of our school. We wish to appoint someone who is a dynamic, motivated NZ trained teacher that is passionate about learning and teaching who will contribute positively to our school culture.

Te Kowhai School is a U5 decile 10 Full Primary (Year 1-8), with a current roll of 340 students. We are pleased to be able to provide you with the following information and forms to enable you to consider your suitability for this role:

The application pack includes:

• School Vision and Values Overview

• School Description

• Person Specification

• Important Application Information

• Code of Conduct

Our anticipated time for the application process is as follows:

• Open afternoon/information session Monday 24th September 4-5 pm

• Applications close Friday 12th October

• Shortlisted candidates decided by Saturday 13th October

• School visits Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th

• Interviews Friday 19th / Saturday 20th October (TBA)

• Appointments made and applicants notified by Sunday 21st October

• Successful applicant to start at the commencement of Term One 2019 (30th January 2019)

For further information:

• See the school website, www.tekowhai.school.nz

• Contact: Juliet Dickinson, Principal email: [email protected]

Phone: (07) 829 7860 or (021) 246 1404

Te Kowhai School APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

I was appointed Principal of Te Kowhai School at the beginning of this year (2018), having been the Deputy Principal for the last 5 years. It is an absolute privilege to work with our incredible students, engaged community and be able to lead a group of such dedicated, motivated and passionate teachers. We are at an exciting place now as we work towards offering even more dynamic and authentic learning opportunities for our students.

Te Kowhai School is a wonderful place to work. We have a very caring and supportive staff culture where we all work extremely well together and enjoy having fun. Our community are highly committed and involved in our school, and our Board of Trustees are invested in making a difference to children and their learning. Thank you for expressing an interest in this position. This role involves leading the learning of both teachers and students within dynamic, collaborative learning spaces. You will benefit from the professional learning support and collegial relationships of others. There will also be a close, collaborative working relationship with the senior leadership team where you will help grow our school’s capacity to achieve our vision and strategic goals. Please see details of the open information session offered on Monday 24th from 4:00 – 5:00 pm if you would like to tour our spaces and learn more about how we tick at Te Kowhai School and what this role involves. These are exciting times for our school and you may be the person we need to help continue to build on the positive foundations that already exist within our thriving school. If you win the position you will be part of a hard working, supportive, professional, but relaxed & FUN environment. If you require any further information, please contact myself on 021 246 1404 or by email – [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely Juliet Dickinson – Principal

Emailed applications for this position must be received by 12pm on Friday 12th October. The starting date for this position is the start of Term 1, 2019 Wednesday 30th January Applications should be emailed to – Juliet Dickinson – Principal [email protected] Your application should consist of the following;

1. Complete the Application Form and Declaration 2. A Curriculum Vitae containing at least the following information; § Full employment history § Specific skills, experience, strengths and abilities relevant to this position 3. Two referee reports.

Please ensure your two referees are aware they have been nominated and that you have authorised them to disclose information about you to the Board for the purpose of determining your suitability for the advertised position should we choose to contact them. Referees may also be contacted during the short listing process. The board may also make inquiries to previous employers, or other persons deemed necessary to satisfy the Board as to the suitability of the applicant. The Board of Trustees will hold this application form and supporting documentation in strictest confidence.

TE KOWHAI SCHOOL: LEADER OF LEARNING POSITION 2019 For more information on our school go to, www.tekowhai.school.nz

TE KOWHAI SCHOOL 1890

Integrity


IhiDrive

Respect Excellence

K

Te Kowhai School OUR VISION AND VALUES


Te Kowhai School SCHOOL DESCRIPTION

Te Kowhai School is a U5 decile 10 Full Primary placed in an idyllic rural setting a short distance from Hamilton City. We are in a fast-developing semi-rural area, just 5 minutes from The Base & Te Awa Shopping Centre. Our school has embraced the changes within education and has developed Innovative Learning Environments in which teachers work collaboratively together to meet the needs of learners. Our school has a high profile and there are a huge number of visiting principals, teachers and board members from other schools. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit our website or make contact with us directly for a greater overview of our school.

We are very fortunate to have a strong community who support the school’s vision. There is a proud history surrounding the school, which provides an excellent foundation for individual student achievement. Country events such as Agricultural Day, Harvest Festival and Flower Show are important traditions within the school.

The School has had enjoyed steady roll growth in recent years expanding to its current roll of 340 students. As a result, there has been significant property development including new classes, a new library, administration block, landscaped areas, and an upgrade to our pavilion.

We have an amazing team of passionate and professional staff whose main goal is for our pupils to be part of a positive and engaging learning environment. Teaching staff are ably supported by a large team of support staff and additional learning support programmes.

Staff culture/morale is exceptionally high and of considerable importance to the school and the Board. Accordingly, professional development and social opportunities are given a high priority. The school has a growing reputation within the wider educational circle, with many groups visiting the school, often commenting on the climate of the school and how it radiates a ‘positive vibe’.

Our school enjoys exceptional support from our PTA/Board/Business partnerships, which has been instrumental in funding a large number of high value items within the school to assist teachers and our students. Consequently, the school is very well resourced. The annual Top School Games is a significant event and fundraiser. The leadership team currently consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal and a Leader of Learning. Our last ERO report states that our students enjoy learning in a safe, inclusive and fun environment. Warm relationships are evident among students and their teachers, and within the school community, reflecting the school’s values. Our students achieve at high academic levels. Students also benefit from a huge range of opportunities in sports, leadership & the arts. There has been significant growth within eLearning & students have ready access to a large number of digital tools. Students from Year 3-8 are BYOD classes.


Te Kowhai School LEADER OF LEARNING: Overview Securing high calibre Leaders of Learning is key to our school’s current and future success. The role is varied and the successful applicant will have the range of skills to help us further improve our school. The remuneration of 2-3 Units (negotiable), release time, and incredible professional development opportunities (both personal leadership development, and also schoolwide strategic development) for this position is evidence of the role’s importance at Te Kowhai School. The key responsibilities of the Leaders of Learning will include both leadership and management roles. You will be a part of the School Leadership Team, and help shape the key areas of strategic development moving forward which align closely with our Kaahui Ako ‘He Waka Eke Noa’. � The classroom teaching component will be determined based on staffing for 2019, but will ensure adequate release for teacher development, coaching and wider leadership/management responsibilities. The final Job Description will be confirmed once appointed, based on the skill set and the overall balance within the Leadership Team. Primary areas of leadership will be working with staff to help lead teacher inquiry and PLD. It will also involve assisting with assessment, appraisal and teacher development, and teacher support with students/learning/parent engagement. Leadership across the school will be related to schoolwide strategic focuses such as; Curriculum Design, collaborative teaching, learning progressions in literacy/numeracy, student agency etc. Some aspects of the role will also be shared, and supported by other members of the Leadership Team.

IN RETURN WE CAN OFFER: • A strong, proactive and collaborative leadership environment, committed to developing dynamic teachers and leaders. • A school with a strong Vision and Strategic Goals • Commitment to high quality professional development • Generous release time • PLD and additional leadership opportunities offered via our Kaahui Ako (potential for WSL or ASL roles) • A supportive community and Board of Trustees • An exciting and FUN place of work • The chance to work alongside a group of dynamic, forward thinking, innovative staff • The chance to work in a progressive school, which is undertaking an exciting journey • The opportunity to develop yourself professionally and personally • Well-equipped and resourced classrooms


LEADER OF LEARNING: PERSON SPECIFICATION Please ensure that your application addresses these criteria. We understand that you may not be able to meet every aspect we have listed within your current setting. At Te Kowhai School we are looking for a leader with the following abilities and characteristics:

• Is dynamic and innovative, and will help grow Te Kowhai’s school vision and achieve our strategic goals • Strengths in student inquiry, curriculum design and delivery - ensuring varied needs are personalised • Ability as a highly skilled classroom teacher with an excellent knowledge across all aspects of the New Zealand Curriculum • Experience or willingness to work in collaborative spaces • Ability to embrace and lead change • Strong, proven and positive professional leadership • Is an effective communicator • Visible, engaging, and approachable and fosters strong positive relationships with staff, children, the board and the school

community • Strength / passion in eLearning (an advantage) • Is committed both to their own, and staff professional development and performance • Ability to effectively engage students • Sense of humour (imperative!)


Staff Agreement

Teachers are charged with a vital responsibility in educating the adults of the future. Professionalism must be paramount. To ensure

a professional approach to this role all staff are expected to:

1. Provide a safe, fun and nurturing environment for students, teachers and parents to learn and develop in and out of the classroom.

2. We will adopt a “We, not me!” approach by working collegially. This includes speaking positively of each other,

showing respect and being supportive. 3. We will be open and honest discussing issues (not personalities) so as to maintain high levels of team spirit and collegiality. It is ok to disagree…. without becoming disagreeable.

4. Maintain loyalty to the school, staff members and Board of Trustees. This requires all parties to keep issues in-house for resolution and to promote the school in a positive and professional

light. At no time should discussions about negative aspects pertaining to the school or specific staff members be held with parents or members of the public or in an open forum. This would be unprofessional.

5. Perform in a professional manner by meeting deadlines, being prompt, and maintaining high quality professional

records.

6. Positive people achieve positive results, when expectations are consistently applied.

7. To strive to exceed expectations in all areas.

KRespect Integrity


IhiDrive Excellence

Documents

Leader of Learning - Education Gazette...learning. Thank you for expressing an interest in this position. This role involves leading the learning of both teachers and students within