Head of Junior School (K to 6) Wenona School
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Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) Wenona School Established in 1886, Wenona is one of Australia’s leading independent day and boarding schools for girls. Located in North Sydney, Wenona caters for just under 1,200 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, with approximately 350 students in Junior School, 450 students in Middle School and 400 students in Senior College. The School is strongly committed to its Residential Program and has places for up to 48 boarders. Academic achievement is highly regarded, and while the School is not academically selective, its students continually achieve well above state and national averages. The School has highly qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated teaching and professional services staff, and is committed to their professional development in order to drive innovative practice and embrace learning at every opportunity. In the ‘knowledge era’ where students are engaged through technology-rich and collaborative learning, Wenona’s innovative and comprehensive Information Communication Technology (ICT) program and its Bring Your Own Technology framework is helping to expand and enrich student learning. At Wenona, we focus on the academic, physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs of the girls in our care. A comprehensive Pastoral Care program integrates all aspects of School life and focuses on the whole student. We are committed to discovering and developing the potential of each student through the delivery of balanced and challenging co-curricular activities, including a successful Cadet program. Our wide-ranging sporting, creative arts and performing arts programs offer girls the chance to experience new opportunities and we are committed to helping each girl find an activity that suits her. “ Wenona is a global learning community, educating and empowering young women to serve and shape their world..” 2 Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) Vision and Values Vision Wenona's vision is to educate and empower young women in a global learning community, to serve and shape their world. Mission To provide an outstanding, global education for the girls in our care, by developing a contemporary, innovative and engaged learning community, marked by a commitment to the inherent value and potential of every child. Purpose Our main purpose is to create the preeminent leading Australian girls’ school marked by a world-class, contemporary and relevant education; a culture based on positive, respectful relationships; and a focus on developing leadership within a strong service culture. Aims Our aim is for Wenonians to graduate as creative, resilient, articulate and well-educated women, filled with a sense of humour and a capacity for adventure. We aim for our students to develop integrity, grace and a sense of purpose, and a strong moral and ethical outlook, raised to value service and to be a proactive and positive voice within the local, national and global community. Renaissance women At Wenona, we stand for the values and ideals of the ‘Renaissance’ woman. We believe in the inherent value of every woman to be exceptionally well educated, both morally and intellectually, developing a strong sense of belonging and self-worth. A Renaissance woman engages in a wide range of creative and physical pursuits, and is committed to compassionate, proactive and thoughtful service. 3 Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) Why are we different? Wenona is different because our commitment to service manifests itself in every area of school life. We are proactive, compassionate and thoughtful in everything that we do. We believe in an egalitarian model of leadership whereby women can take their place and contribute to society, as exceptionally well- educated young women, both in character and across a broad range of disciplines. We are focused on educating and developing young women to make wise, informed, thoughtful decisions about their life, including how they can contribute to making this changing world a better place. We want Wenona to be one of the great schools of the world, and a leading light in educating women. 4 Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) Head of Junior School (K to 6) Wenona has a long and remarkable history of developing students with integrity, social responsibility and confidence. We recognise that education is more than a simple process of knowledge transfer, but involves the growth and development of mind, body and spirit. We are passionate about the future of our students and recognise that each girl is an individual with infinite potential. We work hard to nurture our students’ unique gifts and needs within a supportive school community, so that they develop into confident, articulate and compassionate young women prepared for life after Wenona. Wenona seeks to appoint an outstanding Head of Junior School to join our thriving day and boarding School, that has remained at the forefront of girls’ education since its establishment in 1886. Working closely with Principal, Dr Briony Scott and members of the Executive, the Head of Junior School will be an accomplished leader, Dr Briony Scott with an ability to engage wholeheartedly and authentically with our Principal, Wenona community. They will provide inspirational leadership, vision and direction to our Junior School, within the context of a K to 12 School. This is a role that can shape the future of primary education at Wenona. As a candidate school for the IB-PYP, the School is committed to inquiry-based learning, balanced with strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. The appointee will be an exceptional communicator, a proven educational leader and have experience in leading and building a strong culture of trust, professional discipline and care. This is a unique opportunity to honour Wenona’s pioneering heritage and help to educate and empower our young women to serve and shape their world. 5 Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) Key areas of focus for the role are: Leading Learning • Commit to and understand the K to 12 structure at Wenona, supporting the vision for learning and strategic direction of the School under the leadership of Principal, Dr Briony Scott • Work with the Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning) to implement strategic initiatives that improve and support learning K to 6 • Engage with, and lead alongside, the Head of Curriculum K to 6 the development of Wenona’s implementation of the International Baccalaureate - Primary Years Programme • Maintain, develop and refine our emphasis on the explicit teaching of foundational literacy and numeracy skills, including the use of data and student tracking to ensure that all students progress across the K to 6 continuum • Lead and manage, alongside the Head of Curriculum K to 6, all aspects of assessment and reporting to ensure the highest standards • Engage with, and work in partnership with, our Educational Support Services team to ensure that all students needs are known and met, through a consistent commitment to differentiated practice, program adjustments and personalised learning to meet the diverse needs of all students • Lead the Junior School staff in their professional learning, acting as a role model and leading staff learning through inquiry, presence across K to 6 classrooms, and a willingness to provide timely and sensitive feedback to all staff that inspires a culture of commitment to improvement • Provide an articulate and refined vision for the learning spaces in our Junior School, engaging with all stakeholders to ensure that they represent contemporary pedagogies and celebrate the learning of all students K to 6 Leading a community of care • Commit to and understand the K to 12 structure at Wenona, supporting the vision for pastoral care and the strategic direction of the School under the leadership of Principal, Dr Briony Scott • Understand and implement the K to 12 Pastoral Care framework in the Junior School, working closely with the Deputy Principal (Student Wellbeing) and key staff to ensure that all students are known and cared for • Develop and lead the teaching of Year 5 Renaissance Studies that focuses on moral and ethical education 6 Appointment of Head of Junior School (K to 6) • Communicate with all students, staff and parents around aspects of social and emotional learning • Lead, know and engage with all girls and staff, being able to authentically connect and care for their needs and balance the needs of individuals with the needs of the community • Respond to and support all students, staff and families on their journey through the Junior School • Lead through being a presence across the Junior School at events, including sport and cultural activities that celebrate and recognise school spirit, participation and achievement • Inspire, motivate and lead a variety of teams within the School making a contribution to the broader educational community Leading and managing the operations of our Junior School • Commit to and understand the K to 12 structure at Wenona, supporting a calm and considered approach to all daily operations and events • Manage and lead the Junior School staff, both academic and professional services staff • Plan for and execute events to a high standard, ensuring that communication around events is timely, accurate and well communicated to all stakeholders • Ensure the highest standards in terms of the daily operations of the Junior School, including monitoring the maintenance of all buildings and playgrounds, as well as all calendar activities across