Background Information for Principal Candidates Academic Colleges Group ACG Tauranga is a member of ACG, the Academic Colleges Group. Programmes ACG is a leading New Zealand owned and operated provider of independent educational services. ACG Preschools, Schools, Preschool/Kindergarten, primary, middle and senior school Colleges and tertiary level providers are all co-educational and education share many common values and philosophies. English language courses University Foundation Studies for The University of Auckland Five schools in New Zealand and AUT University Tertiary level programmes in design, film, graphics and related ACG Parnell College / Parnell Primary School fields ACG Senior College ACG Strathallan Preschool, School and College ACG Sunderland ACG Tauranga Four tertiary level providers in New Zealand ACG New Zealand International College ACG English School ACG Norton College ACG Yoobee School of Design Two international schools in Indonesia and Vietnam ACG International School - Jakarta Australian International School - Vietnam Over 5,000 students Over 750 employees ACG Objectives English language support available at all schools A clear focus on academic study ACG’s two main goals are to provide: Leading IT systems including myACG – a custom-designed online education management and parent information system Excellent academic outcomes from quality teaching Unique student leadership activities A superior quality of service As part of ACG, the ACG Tauranga Principal will benefit from being ACG Schools are committed to: a member of the ACG Principal’s Council and many opportunities for professional engagement, sharing of knowledge and experience Providing a dynamic learning environment that helps students and collegiality with other ACG Principals and the ACG Head Office enjoy their studies and inspires them to be lifelong learners specialists. Personalising the learning experience by tailoring programmes to meet each student’s needs and which reflect their ability and The Principal’s Council is chaired by the Chief Operating Officer and prior learning meets formally four times a year. The members of the Council are: Actively encouraging and rewarding academic excellence and achievement Ian King – Chief Executive Officer Offering innovative and creative programmes designed to Clarence van der Wel – Chief Operating Officer encourage students to think both creatively and critically Larne Edmeades – Principal, ACG Parnell College Employing highly-qualified, experienced, caring and motivated Mark Haines – Principal, ACG NZ International Programmes educators who are dedicated to creating schools that focus on Robin Kirkham – Executive Principal, ACG Strathallan the learning needs of their students Kathy Parker – Principal, ACG Senior College Nathan Villars – Principal , ACG Sunderland ACG Points of Difference ACG Schools are supported by the resources and expertise of the ACG schools offer their students and families several unique and ACG Head Office, based in Auckland, which includes the specialist valuable points of difference compared to New Zealand state functions of Finance, Marketing, Information Technology, Human schools and other independent schools. Resources, Property and International Student Services. Internationally recognised qualifications From day one, the Principal and staff will greatly benefit from access A personalised learning experience to ACG’s comprehensive online myACG teaching resources and Effective 1:1 assistance and coaching through a personal tutor support, including detailed curriculum resources and established system educational and management systems. Principals of ACG schools Extension tutoring enjoy minimal board reporting and meeting requirements and a low Longer class periods level of bureaucracy and compliance activities. The size, structure Thinking Skills and extension activities and geographical spread of ACG provides Principals and staff with wide opportunities for career path development. ACG Tauranga ACG is pleased to confirm its plans for a significant new school in Tauranga. Set on 14.8ha of land on the corner of Keenan Road and Pyes Pa Road (SH 36), Tauranga, the school promises to be an outstanding addition to the ACG Group of schools - and well placed to grow to be a leading independent, secular, co-educational school in New Zealand. With resource consent now granted, and building works underway, the school is quickly advancing toward opening in February 2015 with classes for Years 1 to 9. In time, it is planned that the school will grow to around 700 students from Preschool to Year 13. We are The Principal therefore seeking to appoint a Founding Principal to lead the growth of the school and to foster a strong school community. The Principal will report to the ACG Chief Operating Officer or similar and will be responsible for the educational leadership and overall ACG Tauranga will bring the key points of difference of ACG schools management of the campus. to the Bay of Plenty region and, in addition, will provide students and families with a number of unique propositions: The main objectives of the Principal will be: One-on-one academic coaching and extension To direct, develop and expand all activities related to the Educational experiences beyond and supplementary to the effective operation of ACG Tauranga classroom To set and achieve superior standards in terms of academic Along with an academic focus, the school will be for students outcomes, staff management and student services who want to learn – not just ‘academic’ students To achieve annual financial goals and planning In particular, the Principal will be responsible for: Providing visionary leadership Along with the opportunity to contribute significantly to a growing The provision of high quality learning programmes for students purpose-built campus focused on educational excellence, attractive Ensuring an assessment programme is in place to monitor remuneration commensurate with the high expectations of this student performance challenging position will be offered. Ensuring an appropriate appraisal and development programme is in place to monitor staff performance The position will commence in late 2014 or early 2015. Working within budget and the delivery of financial targets The learning environment, including the quality of the physical environment and the conditions for orderly and effective teaching Maintaining close ties with all elements of the broader school community Representing and promoting ACG generally in a way that enhances the reputation of the Group The appointment and direction of high quality staff The enrolment, welfare and discipline of students Effective provision of all support services in order to deliver an outstanding learning environment including IT, Property and HR management The successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes: Proven leadership and management ability, including sound financial and commercial acumen Vision A passion for dynamic and innovative education that inspires students to be lifelong learners "Excellent teaching is at the heart of high quality learning. Students A focus on superior quality of service should be motivated by teachers who love their subject, are highly skilled Excellent communication skills and the ability to establish in communicating their knowledge, enjoy what they are doing, and gain positive relationships with students, staff, parents and the wider immense pleasure from working with young people. Schools should have community a sense of purposeful industry along with the excitement that emanates A high level of commitment to ICT in administration and from new experiences. They should be places where individuals feel teaching valued and welcomed, and where each student feels appreciated and Appropriate degree level qualification(s) accepted. At school, all students should be encouraged and challenged to do their Students perform their best when they are nurtured, encouraged very best. and supported and ACG schools do all they can to ensure that each student not only enjoys academic success, but also enjoys the Above all, schools should be places where learning is central to journey to success. everyone". Sir John Graham and Dawn Jones, Co-founders, ACG At ACG Tauranga, learning and enjoyment will go hand in hand, with the all-round development of each student being our focus. It will be a place where the individual is valued and appreciated. We will aim to educate our students to be creative problem solvers who are willing to take considered risks; lifelong learners with a love of learning; young people who are both independent and interdependent in their relations with others; useful contributors and strong leaders in the global community of the 21st century. We will ensure that each student’s needs are carefully considered and that all students are encouraged and supported to achieve to their highest level. A focus on learning with opportunities to be involved and achieve outside of the classroom, will ensure that there are many opportunities to excel both in academic studies and in a range of other activities. Values Outstanding teachers and an emphasis on literacy and numeracy will be fundamental. The ACG corporate values will guide the development of the ACG Tauranga values. ACG’s schools develop pastoral systems to provide active support based on strong ties between home and school. We place a high Our student-focused approach to education