Leibler Yavneh College Opportunity Statement Short
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THE YU SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Principal Leibler Yavneh College Leibler Yavneh College (‘Yavneh’) is a leading independent, non-selective, co-educational school from ELC to Year 12. The main campus is located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Elsternwick, approximately nine kilometres south-east of the city centre. As Australia’s leading Modern Orthodox Jewish school, Yavneh has an enviable history of producing community, professional and business leaders with a reputation for integrity and fine character who have made their mark across a diverse array of fields. It is proud not only of an academic record that consistently places it in the top 2% of schools in the state, but also of the reputation of the ‘Yavneh Family’, which is an oft-used description for the culture of community that pervades the school. This reflects the intimacy of its learning environment as well as the family-oriented, traditional values that its parents, students and staff share. Yavneh was founded in 1962 as a primary school under the auspices of Melbourne’s Mizrachi Synagogue. In 1979 a secondary school was opened on a nearby site and by 1989 the College was expanding at a rate that necessitated a move to larger premises. This led to the acquisition of the present Slezak Campus in Elsternwick, which today accommodates more than 600 students from Prep to Year 12. Kindergarten and (as of 2014) an additional 100 crèche students are accommodated at the Abeles-Liberman Pre-school in Balaclava Road, Caulfield. Philosophy and values Yavneh is part of Mizrachi Melbourne, which boasts various minyanim, the largest Bnei Akivah Snif outside of Israel, a long-established Kollel Mitzion, the governing body for Australian Kashrut, and the largest and most active Modern Orthodox community in Australia. Yavneh teaches its students to fulfil their responsibilities as modern Australians and as dedicated Jews. The College aspires to instil a lifetime love of learning and pursuit of academic excellence in both Jewish and General Studies, because they are mutually reinforcing, so that all students can achieve their potential. It is committed to the development of a warm and nurturing school environment for all students, encouraging the practice of Derech Eretz, adherence to Halacha, and a commitment to religious Zionist ideals. The College believes that helping students to realise their potential requires a holistic emphasis on their overall sense of well-being: personal, emotional and intellectual needs. It strives to develop resilient, independent learners, equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to participate effectively as Jews in the outside world. It encourages students to take pride in their Australian heritage, and challenges them to make their own contribution in order to shape its future direction. The Yavneh community – parents, students and alumni – is connected to the College’s heritage, immersed in its present development and committed to its future. The community believes, ‘Our children’s learning is our learning; their growth is ours.’ The College’s commitment to ethical values, academic excellence and Ahavat Ha’reah is of paramount importance. The rigorous Jewish studies curriculum accommodates students’ interests and needs – both spiritual and intellectual – by empowering and challenging them to direct their own learning along a Jewish path that is personally engaging and fulfilling. Students become competent textual inquirers and practitioners, acquiring skills and values that benefit themselves and their communities throughout Jewish life. They are generally immersed in Zionist activities and investigation, cultivating a life-long love for Israel. THE YU SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Position Description Summary Yavneh is part of 3,000 year old mission to imbue future generations with a commitment to and love of their Jewish heritage. The new Principal need not share a personal commitment to this historic mission of the Jewish people, but he or she must understand its significance to the students and support the College in its responsibility to fulfil it. The Principal supervises and leads the entire College, including both the secular and Jewish Studies staff, and is responsible for the efficiency and efficacy of the integrated curriculum and the professional development of all staff. While the Directors of Jewish Studies (primary school and secondary school) design and oversee the Jewish Studies curriculum and religious ethos of the College, the Principal is expected to develop a strong appreciation for the content of the Jewish Equally, they are informed and particularly critical modern thinkers, confidently able to integrate both modernity and traditional Jewish values into their lives. Responsibilities and accountabilities The Principal will be responsible to the College Board for the sound running of the school, especially the following: 1. Demonstrating the highest standards of ethical and inspirational leadership. 2. Managing the College on a daily basis, including overseeing delegations: a) Modelling strong and visible educational leadership that engages staff and students in active teaching and learning and reflects a strong personal philosophy of education and integrity. b) Enabling a healthy, invigorating and enjoyable daily life at school for each student. c) Building an expert and capable staff, including teaching, support and administrative staff, through: i. Attracting, selecting, appointing and retaining highly qualified individuals; ii. Sensitive and skilled management of staff and industrial issues; iii. Creating a culture of teamwork and professional development; iv. Improving pedagogy and standards of teaching performance; v. Managing performance of staff in a respectful and timely fashion. d) Implementing and improving a powerful teaching and learning program based on: i. Sound educational principles for students of all educational abilities and needs; ii. Nurturing student independence, motivation and resilience; iii. The Australian curriculum; iv. Yavneh’s Jewish Studies Curriculum; v. The extra-curricular and community life of the College. e) Ensuring legal compliance and risk reduction by: i. Informing the Board of needed improvements to policies, buildings and programs; ii. Educating staff on their obligations to compliance and risk reduction; iii. Developing and publishing a comprehensive set of policies for school operation and management. THE YU SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Remuneration and contract period A remuneration package reflecting the level of skill and experience brought to the position will be negotiated with the successful candidate. The successful applicant will be required to enter into an executive contract for a period of up to five years with possible extension by mutual agreement. A relocation allowance is provided to assist an executive to relocate. It is not expected that the allowance will necessarily cover all relocation costs. Candidate profile In order to undertake the role successfully, the candidate will possess the following attributes: • Belief in the need for excellence in every area of the College’s operations. • Intellectual drive, substantial up-to-date knowledge of education, and demonstrated ability to translate modern research about teaching and learning into excellence in education programs and results. • An excellent record in organisational management and leadership, with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and marketing, financial management, organisational design, staff performance, and high quality cost-effective service delivery. • An open, collegiate, consultative style which combines a disposition towards distributed leadership with a willingness to lead from the front and inspire trust. • Genuine interest in the College and Mizrachi community, willing to understand and support the central importance of the Jewish ethos and atmosphere of the College. • Passion, energy, optimism, the ability to make things happen, and an absolute commitment to serving students and parents. • Ability to identify and honour the College’s current strengths while making the changes that are necessary to develop it to its next stage according to the Strategic Plan. Expression of interest Interested candidates are encouraged to contact our search consultant at YUSP, Dina Rabhan ([email protected]) to confidentially discuss the opportunity and the process. Applicants should submit the following: • A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in leading Leibler Yavneh • A current resume These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to the email address above. To view the full opportunity statement, go to: http://tinyurl.com/leibleryavnehprincipal .