Primary Learning Leader Position Description

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Welcome to Marist College Ashgrove

Peter McLoughlin

Headmaster

Marist College Ashgrove is a

Catholic day and boarding school

for boys in Years 5-12, situated in

Brisbane's inner Northern suburbs

of Ashgrove. Inspired by the work

of St Marcellin Champagnat, we

pride ourselves on delivering

excellent academic and career

pathway results for our inclusive

community of students.

The College strives to work with

parents and the community to

build confident and capable young

men strong of character with gentle

hearts and a willingness to make a

positive contribution in our church

and our world.

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Primary Learning Leader The Role

The Primary Learning Leader is a new role to the College designed to support the Primary teachers within the curriculum and pedagogy context. The College is a Year 5 – 12 campus with Curriculum Leaders having a strategic focus on the curriculum from Years 5 to 12. The Curriculum Team consists of Middle Leaders for each faculty including: English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Science, Humanities, Business, Languages, FTVNM, Drama, Visual Arts, Music and Technology (IT & ITD).

A Primary Learning Leader (PLL) typically demonstrates high quality interpersonal skills and current exemplary primary teaching practice including explicit instruction and data-informed differentiation in Literacy and Numeracy to meet a wide range of learning needs and achieve optimal outcomes for learners. Knowledge and practical skills in inquiry learning will enable the PLL to work successfully with teachers within the Primary School’s curriculum and pedagogical framework.

Position: Primary Learning Leader

Department: Primary School

Responsible to: Deputy Headmaster

Reports to: Head of Learning and Teaching & Head of Data and Pedagogical Practices.

Pay Rate: Pay rates and levels are determined in accordance with the Catholic Employing Authorities Single Enterprise Collective Agreement – RI Schools of Queensland 2015 – 2019, Middle Leader Classification Schedule of a Tier 4.

Last Reviewed: 1 August 2019

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Relationship and Authority

This position is ultimately responsible to the Headmaster through the Deputy Headmaster and reports to the Head of Learning and Teaching for all curriculum matters and the Head of Data and Pedagogical Practices for all pedagogical related areas.

This position works as part of a team of teachers within the Primary School (Years 5 – 6) and communicates with College staff, students, parents and external bodies regularly. This position also works in collaboration with the Curriculum Leaders to ensure a streamlined, continuous and purposeful curriculum.

The role of the Primary Learning Leader is to work as a member of the College Middle Leadership Team in ensuring high expectations for engagement, learning progress and achievement of each student. The role holder will work collaboratively with the Headmaster, Head of Learning and Teaching, Head of Data and Pedagogical Practice and Curriculum Leaders to maintain and develop school curriculum plans at both year and unit level, as well as ensuring high standards of teaching practice across all teaching staff by modelling high-quality teaching and learning across the primary school. The role holder has a pivotal role in supporting teachers to deliver improved pedagogical practices for teachers and students that is consistent with the College’s Learning Framework.

Position Purpose

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Position Responsibilities

1. To provide leadership, guidance and coaching to support teachers in deepening their pedagogical understandings and practical data-driven teaching practices so to promote effective teaching and improved achievement across all curriculum areas.

Adopt and model effective and expected teaching practices, with a keen focus on the progress of each student and the provision of feedback to move learning forward.

Introduce and implement a formal program of NAPLAN preparation for Year 5 students and coordinate the administration of NAPLAN and other standardised testing where directed.

Collaboratively develop and communicate a precise learning improvement agenda for literacy and numeracy.

Facilitate professional learning as required to support and foster teachers’ ongoing professional growth

2. Lead the continuous review of curriculum structure, implementation and assessment.

Challenge, create and inspire to ensure consistent implementation of a primary pedagogical framework stemming from the College Framework.

Deliver, and develop capacity in others to deliver, high quality, interactive and innovative lessons.

Create a learning environment which stimulates interest in learning and promotes excellence and which accepts and acknowledges the needs of all

Actively participate in curriculum development at a departmental level, ensuring a seamless curriculum transition from pre-MCA to Year 5, then through the primary years, into Year 7.

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Position Responsibilities

Actively engage students in the planning and learning process, perceiving that learning is an active and collaborative venture, both between the teacher and students and amongst the students themselves.

Develop a shared understanding of differentiated practice in order to build teacher capacity and embed planning for differentiation in curriculum planning documents, including for the annual NCCD collection process, to ensure it is implemented in teaching practice.

Support the CLT in leading the College community to develop, articulate and commit to a shared educational vision providing quality outcomes to all students

Ensure student assessment and reporting is streamlined and effectively informs all stakeholders in relation to student achievement.

Support Curriculum Leaders in facilitating moderation of student assessment.

3. Explore and oversee the implementation of evidence-based practices that improve the impact of teaching on each student’s learning progress and achievement.

ensure teachers set teaching goals, which are closely linked to the continuous improvement in their teaching practice.

Provide teachers with feedback on classroom pedagogy and planning

Promote the adoption of effective College wide teaching practices consistent with the College Learning framework.

Stay abreast of research, curriculum innovation and change to support and foster teachers’ ongoing professional growth.

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Position Responsibilities

Administration and Management

1. Provide leadership and coaching in relation to collecting, interpreting and discussing student results regularly to inform evidence-based teaching practices.

2. Liaise with the Head of Data and Pedagogical Practice to evaluate student progression through analysis of student data. Address areas of concern through appropriate interventions, to provide a sharper focus to data discussions at school, subject area and individual teacher level, and to build teacher capacity in the analysis and use of data to improve their teaching.

3. Contribute to leadership decision-making as it relates to budgeting for Primary curriculum-related resources.

4. Contribute to Year 5 and 6 year level meetings to clarify curriculum goals and priorities.

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Professional Responsibilities

All staff are required to contribute to the collective welfare of the school community. As such they are required to:

Maintaining confidentiality, where required, and the Professional Code of Ethics;

Work with the Learning Enrichment staff at the College in supporting student learning and welfare;

Attending meetings of appropriate groups within the College with regard to student welfare, e.g. Curriculum Leaders’ meetings;

Keeping appropriate professional records;

Attending relevant professional development and meetings with professional peers and school-based training and development;

Provide professional support of students with special needs;

Maintain current Queensland teacher registration;

Provide feedback to relevant personnel and parents as appropriate regarding students’ academic needs;

Contribute to Primary staff development on curriculum and pedagogical areas relevant to their needs;

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Organisational Responsibilities

Marist College Ashgrove staff are required to comply at all times with the Staff Code of Conduct and Duty of Care Policy, which includes the following key points:

Supporting our Catholic and Marist ethos in all relationships and associations with all staff, students and families across the whole school;

Carrying out all required duties of their job in a professional and conscientious manner;

Role-modelling appropriate attitudes and behaviour towards members of the College Community

Actively participating in the mission programs of the College;

As members of College staff, encouraging high standards of behaviour, grooming and respect for others from students at all times;

Behaving with integrity in the course of their employment;

Acting with compassion, care and diligence;

Maintain standards of practice that are consistent with relevant codes of conduct, membership of professional associations and the ethos of the College;

Behaving in a lawful and professional manner;

Ensuring the highest standards of ethical behaviour when interacting with colleagues, students and their families, and the wider community, including when using, commenting and posting on social media platforms;

Actively participating in required and appropriate professional development;

Comply with WHS initiatives as directed and agreed with management and consultative processes;

Comply with safe work procedures and legal and reasonable instructions from employer representatives;

Report all hazards, accidents and incidents to the WHS officer and comply with WHS committee recommendations.

The role of Student Counsellor/ Psychologist is of critical importance in the life of

our College. This position requires an individual with:

Advanced individual and group counselling skills;

Sophisticated interpersonal and personal abilities;

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Key Attributes

The role of the Primary Learning Leader is of critical importance in the life of our College. This position requires an individual with:

Sophisticated interpersonal and personal abilities;

Skills in developing and implementing proactive programs to enhance student development.

A demonstrated understanding of the particular developmental needs of boys and how this impacts on their learning styles;

Ability to communicate comfortably with parents;

Demonstrated management and leadership skills with the ability to provide dynamic leadership to a staff team including teachers, school officers, resource centre staff, College Counsellors and specialist teachers within the Primary School;

Ability to engage in student advocacy;

A natural team player with proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of people whilst maintaining focus on the required outcome;

Demonstrated sympathy to, and evidence of practice consistent with, the religious and faith life of church schools;

An ability to demonstrate a high level of initiative and organisational skills, and the ability to plan, set priorities and make sound judgements based on thoughtful evaluation so as to meet the objectives of the School;

A positive and compassionate outlook;

Ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure;

Attention to detail and a high degree of personal organization.

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Tenure The successful applicant will be appointed to Marist College Ashgrove as a teacher in an ongoing capacity. In being appointed to the position of Primary Learning Leader, the successful applicant will be appointed for an initial period of four years with the option of reappointment for one additional period of four years, subject to a successful summative appraisal. After this time, the position may be advertised internally and externally with the incumbent free to apply. The start date for the position is the commencement of the 2020. academic year.

Review Conditions

The appointee to this position will be required to undergo a yearly

professional review with the Headmaster, and a comprehensive mid-

contract performance review. This will be followed by a formal review

prior to the expiry of the contract.

Special Requirements The nature of the position is such that the Primary Learning Leader’s

attendance will be required for after-hours commitments as required.

The incumbent will be required to maintain a teaching load with release time

appropriate for a Tier 4 middle leader position of 8.5 hours per week. The

Primary Learning Leader is expected to immerse themselves in the life of the

School.

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Duty Statement

General Teaching load with 8.5 hours release per week.

Panel member for the recruitment of Primary Teachers

Primary Teachers’ Weekly Meetings

Curriculum Leaders’ Weekly Meetings

Learning Enrichment Meetings

Deal with curriculum and pedagogical matters as they arise;

Be a presence in and around the Primary School;

Respond to daily emails;

Assist in the mentoring of new Primary Teachers;

Liaise with Curriculum Leaders (5 – 12) on curriculum related matters;

Preparation of a communication newsletter to parents, in partnership with the Year 5-6 Pastoral Leader;

Contribute agenda items to regular Primary teacher meetings

Curriculum meeting at the start of each term;

Observe lessons of new staff as part of the Probationary Period process;

Headmaster’s Tours;

New student enrolment interviews;

Review professional development requirements for Primary School;

Monitor reporting comments and student achievement data in the Primary School

In conjunction with the Pastoral Leader (5 & 6) prepare and facilitate the start of year orientation days for new students;

New staff induction in conjunction with Head of Staff Services;

Devise a Professional Development program to meet the current needs of Primary staff;

Liaise with Business Manager regarding budgeting requirements;

Attend the Inaugural Mass, Primary School Camps.

Committees

Meetings

Associations

Daily

Weekly

Term

Semester

Annually

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Organisational Chart (Primary Component and Relationships)

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Key Selection Criteria

These will be used by the selection panel to evaluate applicants. Please respond succinctly to each of the following:

1. Applicants must be registered to teach in Queensland;

2. A demonstrated commitment to the evangelisation of young people in the context of a Catholic school;

3. Primary Degree qualifications and studies relevant to this position (it is highly advantageous for the applicant to hold further studies to support this position)

4. Graduate Certificate in Religious Education;

5. Experience and demonstrated capability in leading learning within a Catholic school;

6. A successful record of collaboration and team leadership;

7. A recognised ability to establish positive and productive relationships with staff, students and parents;

8. Demonstrated excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.

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About You

Essential Qualifications & Licenses

Have a current Positive Notice Blue Card, or the ability to obtain one.

A current National Police check (within 12 months).

Full QCT registration.

Degree relevant to the position, including academic qualifications in a range of guidance, counselling and psychological studies.

Pre-Employment Checks

Marist College Ashgrove is committed to child safety and is legally required to obtain the following information about a person whom it proposes to engage to perform child-connected work:

Working with Children (Blue Card) status, or similar check;

National Police Check;

Proof of personal identity and any professional or other qualifications;

The person’s history of work involving children; and

References that address the person’s suitability for the job and working with children.

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Application

Closing Date Applications close Friday 25 October at 3 pm. Please include the following:

Cover letter outlining why you are applying for the position;

Resume including three referees;

A succinct overview of how you meet each of the essential selection criteria;

A completed application form which is available from the College website;

Copies of your qualifications including academic transcripts.

Contact Mrs Julie Ward

Head of Staff Services

Marist College Ashgrove

Frasers Road

ASHGROVE QLD 4060

Applications will only be accepted via the College online submission or via email at hr@marash.qld.edu.au

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142 Frasers Road, Ashgrove Qld 4060 Phone: 07 3858 4555 www.marash.qld.edu.au The Trustees of the Marist Brothers, T/A Marist College Ashgrove – CRICOS Provider #00670F