Head of Social Science

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced Head of Social Science to join our team.

The Head of Social Science has a vital role in leading and managing the education of our students within the faculty area and supporting the achievement of the school’s overarching mission. She/he is responsible for the learning and teaching of social science and thus their role relates specifically to students as well as staff members within the faculty. They have expert knowledge and skills in their subject area and are competent and effective teachers who facilitate the development of an environment within their faculty where professional collaboration and learning are valued and practised.

An important aspect of Heads of Department duties is the interaction and curricular cross-fertilisation with other Heads of Department, in regular meetings, led by the Director of Studies and Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching, and in other more informal contexts. The generation, discussion and confirmation of curricular policies are dependent upon this nexus.

To be successful in this role you will need:

In General

• Lead the faculty by developing strategies and practices that align with Kambala’s Strategic Vision
• Ensure effective implementation of policies and practices for a safe and supportive environment for students and staff including, and in relation to, the Kambala Child Protection policies, Code of Conduct and WHS legislation
• Attend information and subject selection evenings as relevant and promote his or her subject through the various Kambala publications as appropriate
• Ensure compliance with curriculum documents
• Lead the maintenance, evaluation, registration and revision of teaching programs
• Manage departmental budget and resources

Leadership

• Develop and lead an effective department team
• Ensure and lead a process where all subjects and courses have appropriate programs and scaffolding that are designed to meet the needs of the students and NESA and IB requirements
• Leading the development and ongoing evaluation of curriculum within the relevant subject areas
• Ensuring that assessment practices are used to inform teaching practices and to collect data that can be used to help staff develop more effective strategies for teaching particular concepts
• Leading and supporting the integration of learning technology into pedagogy and curriculum within the Department
• Review and validation of technology use to show how it meets the needs of the curriculum and support pedagogy.
• Mentoring new teaching staff
• Providing professional support for staff members engaged in accreditation with the NSW Institute of Teachers
• Leading a Departmental annual review of analysis os HSC, NAPLAN and internal assessment results

Teaching

• Plan and implements coherent, well sequenced teaching and learning programs that engage students to promote learning
• Use a range of teaching strategies to deliver quality teaching programs to support student understanding, engagement and achievement
• Use assessment feedback to inform teaching practices
• Provide relevant opportunities for parent/carer involvement in the educative process
• Create inclusive supportive learning environments
• Maintain workable routines in the classroom
• Manage challenging behaviour

Assessment and Reporting:

• Adhere to Kambala’s assessment and reporting policies and practices
• Utilise feedback to continually improve assessment practices
• Develop, select and use informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative assessment strategies to assess student learning
• Prepare timely and meaningful feedback and reports and notifications to students and parents
• Participate in moderation activities to support consistent and comparable judgements of student learning
• Maintain clear records pertaining to student progress and assessment

Pastoral Care:

• Participate in the pastoral care program and other co-curricular activities
• Communicate with students, colleagues and parents/carers in a respectful, clear , caring and professional way
• Establish rapport with students and provide ongoing encouragement
• Maintain professional confidentiality on information about students
• Seek advice, work cooperatively with and refer students to specialist staff where required
• Proactively communicate with parents/carers
• Provide professional support to colleagues in all areas
• Communicate confidentially with appropriate senior staff any issues of perceived danger to a student

Policy Implementation:

• Contribute to and implement Kambala policies and practices in a developmentally appropriate manner across the school
• Ensure students’ wellbeing and safety within the school by implementing school, curriculum and legislative requirements
• Monitor and minimise risk through implementation of school’s risk management procedures
• Incorporate strategies to promote the safe , responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching
• Support the Christian ethos of the School
• Comply with relevant legislative requirements, codes of conduct established by regulatory authorities, systems and the School.

Students

The Head of Department’s role in relation to students includes the need to ensure:
• That the teaching of the subject meets the needs of students at all levels and abilities
• That students are challenged in the subject to achieve their personal best in a supportive environment
• Where necessary the learning tasks are differentiated and students provided with academic support as needed
• The development and implementation of faculty aims, philosophy and programs that support the school’s mission, meet requirements and facilitate a love of learning of the subject for teachers and students
• That the learning continuum K-12 is valued and that teachers strive to be aware of students’ previous learning experiences
• Students are advised, supported, respected and cared for within a safe environment
• That students’ progress is monitored effectively
• That the behaviour of all students in class supports effective teaching and learning for each member of the class
• The subject is promoted, including through public acknowledgement of student achievement, both formally and informally
• The relevance of the subject is clear to students
• The complete curriculum is valued by all.
• Liaise with parents and the Boarding House about issues related to the students’ education
• Manage staff allocations within the Department in consultation with staff and the Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
• Lead the Department in developments and changes in subject curriculum and syllabuses

Department

The Head of Department’s role includes leadership of the faculty, as well as within the school. The role as team builder, encourager and supporter requires strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, as well as willingness and enthusiasm to take on these responsibilities. In supporting the ‘dynamic learning community that encourages students to achieve personal excellence in a supportive environment’, the Head of Department leads by example and works with their staff to ensure that the learning of their subject is effective and meets the needs of all students. To facilitate this, the role of the Head of Department includes the development of a teaching environment where:
• A culture of co-operation and professional sharing is developed within the faculty, where teachers respect each others’ wisdom and experience
• Relationships between staff are professional and supportive, and where necessary mediation and negotiation occur between staff to resolve conflicts in positive ways
• The welfare and morale of staff are recognised and supported
• Staff members continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills through professional learning activities, both in school and outside of school
• Regular (usually every two weeks) faculty meetings are held for discussion and open exchange of ideas related to teaching strategies, faculty policies, new curriculum etc, and to allow for communication of matters discussed at the Heads of Department meetings
• Strengths of teachers are recognised and promoted, weaknesses identified and support given to improve
• Important decisions are made in a collaborative manner after free and frank discussion
• Teaching allocations are fair and equitable, and are done after consultation with staff members
effective teaching strategies in consultation with the Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation
• Teachers are encouraged and supported to try new teaching strategies and to change where appropriate, including the integration of technology in their teaching to enhance learning
• There is a common understanding of the vision for the subject/faculty
• A common understanding of the standards for assessment and reporting is developed and implemented
• Teachers are encouraged to liaise with and use the support facilities within the school (Academic Support, Library, IT, Boarding House)
• New and young teachers are mentored and supported to facilitate transition and further development of confidence and skills
• Ensure staff members are conversant with current research in their subject area and exploring on effective teaching strategies in consultation with the Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation
• Staff members are encouraged to attend school functions and activities in a positive way
• Staff members exercise duty of care at all times in their dealings with students
• Staff members are supported and represented, and channels of communication are effective
• Staff members are up-to-date with curriculum changes
• Staff members are up-to-date with current research in their subject area and on effective teaching strategies.

Administration

The above areas of responsibility include some administrative tasks that relate to the Board of Studies and school requirements, such as:
• Compliance with the curriculum documents
• Overseeing assessment program for each subject, including formal requirements for Years 10-12
• Report descriptions and outcomes, as well as monitoring of reporting of student achievement
• Overseeing examinations within the subject area
• Maintenance, evaluation and revision of teaching programs
• Overseeing registration of teaching programs
• Development and maintenance of class lists
• Departmental resources
• Budgeting
• Staff allocations
• Infrastructure and facilities for special needs of subject area.

Kambala exists within a community of students, parents, staff and interested parties. The Head of Department often needs to liaise with parents and the Boarding House about issues related to the girls’ education. They also attend Parent Information and subject selection evenings as relevant and promote their subject through the Kambala View, School Magazine, The Soubieran, information booklets etc as appropriate.

 

HR Manager

Kambala

 

 

794 New South Head Road

ROSE BAY NSW 2029

Telephone 02 9388 6777

www.kambala.nsw.edu.au

Applications close: 9 July 2021

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