kaikōura primary school
TRANSCRIPT
Principal Position Application Pack
• Letter from Board Chair • About Our School • Person Specification • Job Description • Application instructions
Kaikōura Primary School Adventures in Learning …using Kaikōura as our Classroom
Letter from the Board Chairperson…
Thank you for your interest in our vacancy for Principal of Kaikōura Primary School. We are excited to introduce our special school and our community to you.
Kaikōura Primary School has a long and valuable history. The school was established in 1873 and has operated in different ways over the years, including time as the Area School. Within our community, a large number of families have attended the school at some point, resulting in multiple generations able to trace their time here.
Kaikōura was struck by the 7.8 earthquake in November 2016, affecting our school and our community in many ways. Our school roll fluctuated dramatically as families moved their children out of town, some brought them back and resettled. We then had a large growth period, moving our roll from 63 at 1/7/16 to 105 at 18/11/18.
As a tourist town, we have a variety of new cultures and ethnicities moving here and establishing families. We have a large State Highway construction project expected to finish December 2019. A lot of local families have employment with this project and the future is unknown for them as the project comes to an end. We know that we will see roll changes as our community moves and adjusts to a new normal. The third year after an earthquake is said to be the hardest – we are aware that there is a lot of mental strain and stress amongst our community and that wellbeing will be an impacting factor on our school for a long time.
Our school is flourishing in this state of change – we have a fantastic team of teaching and support staff, beautiful modern buildings (built in 2015) and an exciting strategic plan. A major project over the next year or two will be collaborating with MOE to renew/refurbish our school hall and performing arts room with a $750,000 budget allocated by MOE for this.
Our staff have recently completed 140 hours PLD in Mathematics, revising our maths curriculum. As part of the Kaikōura Kāhui Ako, 400 hours PLD has been allocated to our COL, working on increasing digital fluency, collaborative leadership (middle management) and teaching as inquiry.
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Within our community there are 3 ELC (and one home based care), 4 primary schools (including a bi-lingual and a Catholic) and one high school (catering for year 7 – 13). We are a small community and you will be encouraged to collaborate with all the schools and to network with Marlborough Principals’ Association to professionally connect with other Principals.
As a Principal within this small community, you will be recognised as a community leader. Your family and whānau will find that the community are interested in them and it can be a little like living in a ‘goldfish bowl’. You will meet your parent community in the supermarket, on the beach – everywhere in fact – you will need to have some strategies for how you will manage this. As a positive, you will feel a personal connection to our school community in a short space of time!
We want a strong, dynamic leader who will acknowledge our staff strengths, delegate and guide where needed, and ensure our students achieve success. If this is the opportunity you are looking for, we welcome your application.
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- Vicki Gulleford Chairperson
Board of Trustees
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About our School…
• Kaikōura Primary School welcomes all learners in our community. We are committed to their protection, participation, engagement and achievement.
• Kaikōura Primary School is located approximately 180 kilometres north of Christchurch and 130km south of Blenheim. We have the most picturesque educational setting in Kaikōura, with the backdrop of the Kaikōura ranges and the stunning Pacific Ocean directly across the road from our front field.
• The adventure lifestyle is available in beautiful Kaikōura. Surfing, diving, boating, fishing, skiing at nearby Mt Lyford and opportunities for tramping and camping abound. A new hospital has recently been built, and tourism and associated industries are thriving.
• We are a U3, decile 3 school with a current roll of 105, starting roll for 2019 of 85. Our school roll is made up of 53% NZ European, 36% NZ Maori and the balance being Australian, Asian, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Japanese, British/Irish, Korean, Indian and Pacific. We have 5 teachers, 3 part time teacher aides, a part time cleaner and a part time caretaker.
“We’re really close to the sea and the moun-tains…”
- Harper (Year 3)
“It’s just beau-tiful…”
- Rivva (Year 2)
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• The school promotes a caring, inclusive family-orientated environment with a focus on ‘Adventures in Learning using Kaikōura as our classroom’. All students are valued and inclusive education needs are well supported.
• We work with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on Te Pikitanga, a programme based on the learning of all the main ūara (values) within te Ao Māori and taught in the contexts of Ngāti Kurītanga. The goal of this is to enhance the teachers’ and students’ awareness, knowledge and confidence in the delivery of Te Reo and tikanga according to the kawa of Ngāti Kurī me Ngāi Tahu.
• Our buildings consist of four new studio rooms with breakout rooms and art rooms, a hall with performing arts room attached, a refurbished administration block with classroom and library room, a staffroom with a teacher resource room and several other offices. Our generous playing fields, hard court area, adventure playgrounds, scooter track, bike pump track, sand pit and indoor heated swimming pool combine to offer a fantastic outdoor setting for our tamariki.
• A three bedroom house is available for our principal to rent. Single garage, new kitchen and bathroom. Quiet neighbourhood with sea and mountain views, and other educational leaders close by.
“It’s a very re-specting envi-ronment. People are very nice and very giving.”
- Maia (Year 6)
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• Kaikōura Primary School develops effective home/school relationships. It promotes an open door policy encouraging the parents and local community to take an active role in the life of the school and their child's learning. The school has the support of a committed Board of Trustees, PTA and enthusiastic and willing parents and caregivers. The parents and PTA provide plenty of assistance with educational activities and support the school through effective and essential fundraising.
• Our school values e-learning and uses several online learning sites. There is wireless ultrafast broadband in all classrooms and ICT resources continue to be a focus for development. The school has a ratio of 1 device to 1 student encompassing iPads, PC's, laptops, Apple TV's etc.
• We see our school as a community hub. The only public swimming pool is currently based on our courts – a temporary ‘pop up’ pool as the community pool has earthquake damage and is not usable. Our hall is used extensively by a variety of groups and we host School Yard Markets many weekends of the year. Kaikōura Playcentre is based on our grounds. We encourage our community to use our playgrounds and fields, recognising that we are a community asset.
• Our latest ERO report can be viewed at: http://ero.govt.nz/Early-Childhood-School-Reports/School-Reports/Kaikoura-Primary-School-25-01-2016
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“I want a principal to be kind and not grumpy and likes being around kids - like if someone gets hurt, they would help.”
Zoe (Year 6)
“…someone who takes care and runs the school prop-erly…”
Amber (Year 6)
“…a good teacher…” Reuben (Year 4)
“…who will teach us different things and new things. ”
Moses (Year 4)
“One that encourages people in races and games… ”
Grace (Year 3)
“…and doesn’t just go on their computer all day in their office…”
Harper (Year 3)
“I would like a good swimmer because then they can jump in the pool with us.”
Allie (Year 3)
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Student feedback:
Happy, helpful, fun, kind, encouraging, car-ing, involved with children, respectful, calm
and a good teacher.
Parent feedback:
Approachable and a good listener Enthusiastic and passionate with a good
sense of humour Showing genuine care to students, fami-
lies and other staff Open and honest
Setting standards, aiming high and en-couraging our kids to aim high
Adaptable, understands strengths and needs
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BOT feedback: • Someone who will see our Maori students as a strength and help
children to value their own culture • Someone who will take advantage of our environment, use this to
push children to strive and succeed • Someone who values our staff, recognises they are critical to our
children’s success, and is effective at managing the team • Someone who wants to fully engage and build relationships with
our community
Staff feedback: • Open communicator • Interested in children • Confident with technology • Community involvement • Approachable • Sense of humour • Energetic • Passionate • Generous • Open to others’ ideas • Financially savvy • Respectful • People person • Compassionate • Team Player
Person Specification The Board of Trustees has taken the opportunity to seek the opinions of our community to determine the characteristics and skills of the Principal who would best suit the position. The following is a summary of the feedback:
Job Description: Principal
Kaikōura Primary School
Responsible to: Board of Trustees
The Principal is the professional and administrative head of the school. The Principal’s job is to lead the school in the achievement of its vision and mission in a manner consistent with:
• the School Charter; • the Strategic Plan; • Board Policies; • all Statutory and Regulatory requirements; • all delegated responsibilities.
The Principal is a full member of the Board of Trustees, sharing with Trustees’ the collective responsibilities for the governance of the school. At the same time, in the role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Principal fulfils a position as the main advisor to the Board.
The Principal, as the chief advisor to the Board of Trustees, will consult with the Board regarding policy and the review, development and implementation of the strategic plan and charter. The Principal will prepare the annual operation plans and budgets for Board approval.
The Principal is employed by and responsible to the Board of Trustees for the effective day-to-day operation of the school and for all other delegated responsibilities.
The Principal’s management role involves four main areas of responsibility. In each of these areas the Principal will implement Board approved policies and prepare the supporting procedures to ensure that these policies are effectively implemented.
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In the role of the Educational/Pedagogical leader
1. The Principal will effectively lead the teaching staff in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the educational programmes designed to deliver the New Zealand Curriculum..
2. Understand and apply, where appropriate, effective management practices, both educational and non-educational, into the school.
3. The Principal will ensure that all teaching and learning effectively contributes to coherent, balanced and equitable programmes that reflect national established school targets promoting and supporting both in - school learning and co-curricular activities.
4. The Principal will ensure that programmes are adapted to the specific learning needs of the individual children and will enlist the assistance of specialist agencies when necessary.
5. The Principal will ensure that all student progress and achievement in all programmes will be effectively monitored recorded and reported generically to the Board, and communicated specifically to students and their families/caregivers.
In the role of the Professional Leader
1. The Principal will fulfil the role of Chief Executive to the Board as outlined in his/her performance agreement.
2. The Principal will translate the vision and values into clear expectation of excellence in both behaviours to others and commitment to learning.
3. The Principal will give priority to ensuring the well-being of staff and students. 4. As specified in the appropriate collective and individual contracts and school policies,
the Principal will: a) Manage the recruitment of staff; b) Manage staff performance; c) Implement the School’s Personnel Policies; d) Ensure that performance agreements and appraisals are completed for all staff; e) Ensure the ongoing professional development of all staff; f) Manage staff disciplinary matters.
5. The Principal will understand and apply, where appropriate, effective management practices, both educational and non-educational, into the school.
6. Maintain a professional learning community within which staff members are provided with feedback and support on their professional practice.
7. The Principal will be an effective role model for staff, students and the wider school community in terms of how they present and conduct themselves both professionally and personally within and outside the school.
8. The Principal will embody our values of Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Aroha, Ako.
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In the role of the Administrator
1. The Principal will oversee all aspects of the school organisation and management, including day-to-day financial management. The Principal will supply such information as required by the Board or by the MoE or by persons delegated by the Board or MoE.
2. The Principal will ensure that the appropriate personnel, salary and leave information be provided to the contracted payroll service in a timely and accurate manner.
3. The Principal will liaise with the Board regarding all property matters, in particular expenditure of any Board or MoE funds, major maintenance and on-going capital works, and will work with the Board to control, monitor and report on the use of finance and assets.
4. The Principal will ensure the adherence of all school rules and regulations. 5. The Principal will provide effective management of the school’s buildings, equipment
and grounds to ensure that the environment is clean, safe and contributes to positive educational outcomes.
6. The Principal will effectively and efficiently use available financial resources and assets to support and improve student achievement.
7. The Principal will manage the school budget and work within the available resources. 8. The Principal will ensure that ICT is used effectively, both as a management tool and for
learning.
In the role of the Communicator
1. The Principal will report regularly and effectively to the Board of Trustees on management issues and on the progress toward, and the attainment of, charter and strategic goals. This evidence will be provided on a planned basis and indicate the extent to which policy and performance objectives have been met and guideline and procedures followed.
2. The Principal will liaise effectively with the Chairperson and other Board members at all times over matters of mutual interest or concern.
3. The Principal will provide effective professional and timely advice and reporting to the Board. The Principal will facilitate a harmonious working relationship between the Board and school staff.
4. The Principal will brief staff on all aspects of school governance, management and administration to ensure that effective communication networks operate within the school, to foster positive staff relationships and to provide staff with the opportunity to participate in and contribute to decision-making within the school.
5. The Principal will promote a climate of trust, co-operation, support and goodwill between the school, key stakeholders and the community it serves
6. The Principal will maintain a system of effective communication and consultation between the school, staff, students, parents and wider community including local iwi.
7. The Principal will encourage and facilitate parental involvement in the school. It is the Principal’s responsibility to report regularly to parents/caregivers on their children’s
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progress at the school and to the community at large on the school’s progress towards the achievement of charter and strategic goals/aims.
The Principal’s management responsibilities will be negotiated each year with the Board of Trustees and will be expressed in a Performance Agreement.
The Performance Agreement will include the Principal’s Job Description, the Principal’s Personal Specification and the Professional Standards for Primary Principals (see attached). It will also contain specific annual goals for the Principal and the school as aligned to the school strategic plan.
This Performance Agreement will also take into account of the provisions of the Primary School Principals’ Collective Agreement.
Board Chairperson:
Date: 30/11/18
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Application Instructions If you wish to apply for the position, please email the Application Form as one complete pdf document. The Application Form is included as an attached document in our email. Please send:
• The completed application form • Covering letter and your curriculum vitae
Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged. If you have any queries about the position, please contact Deb Cotter, Office Manager, on 03 319 5440 in the first instance (term time) or Vicki Gulleford, Board Chair on 027 604 4349.
Tours of the school will not be offered however shortlisted candidates will be invited to tour the school as a part of the interview/selection process.
Please fully complete the application form personally. Read it through first then answer all questions and make sure you sign and date where indicated.
Attach a curriculum vitae (CV) containing any additional information. If you include written references, please note that we may contact the writers of the references.
Copies only of qualification certificates should be attached. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide originals as proof of qualifications.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to give consent to a police vet. It is a requirement in the Education Sector for all employees to be vetted.
If you are selected for an interview you may bring whānau/support people at your own expense. Please advise if this is your intention.
The closing date for the applications is 5:00pm, Friday 25th January 2019.
ESTIMATED TIMELINE:
Week of Jan 28th Shortlisting of candidates. Shortlisted applicants will then be informed of an interview time, place and process.
Week of Feb 4th Interviews. The interview panel will consist of 4 Board members. Our Educational Adviser, Maureen Kerr, will also be present to observe and offer guidance to the panel.
Week of Feb 11th Written contract signed.
Beginning of Term 2 Successful applicant takes up position
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