Principal Penrith Anglican College

Prospectus for the position of
Principal
Penrith Anglican College, Orchard Hills NSW
2015
Sydney Anglican
Schools Corporation
Sydney Anglican
Schools Corporation
Our Vision
Serving Christ by equipping students for His world
Our Mission
To provide affordable quality Christian education
Our Strategic Objectives
To provide high quality education within a Christian
worldview that is shaped by the Bible
To communicate in word and deed the gospel of Jesus Christ
to students, staff, parents and the wider community
To provide education that is financially accessible to local communities
To operate the Corporation efficiently and safely
To grow the Corporation.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation invites applications
for the position of Principal, Penrith Anglican College to
participate in this mission.
Principal
Penrith Anglican College
Sydney
Anglican
Schools
Corporation
acknowledges the committed Christian service
of Mr Barry Roots BA DipEd MEd PTC(Hons)
MACE MACEL, Foundation Headmaster of Penrith
Anglican College, who has chosen to retire at the
end of 2014.
During the 17-year tenure of Mr Root’s
principalship, Penrith Anglican College has
developed a reputation as a school which
provides an imaginative, purposeful, caring
and enjoyable learning environment, enabling
students to progress in accordance with their
individual needs and abilities - emphasising
academic excellence, pastoral care, co-curricular
engagement and growth in faith.
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
The position of Principal of Penrith Anglican
College will provide the opportunity for an
enthusiastic and dedicated educational leader
with a dynamic vision to lead the College, under
God, as it continues to develop.
At the College, a particular emphasis will continue
on the appropriate promotion of the Christian
gospel through the professional work and Christian
witness of the College staff. In this respect, the
Principal’s Christian leadership will be key.
Other areas of focus will include the continued
strengthening of teaching and learning, as well
as the support and development of the range of
co-curricular activities.
The College
To educate students to become informed
and responsible global citizens who
follow Christ and serve others.
Penrith Anglican College is a co-educational day
Pre-K to Year 12 school committed to academic
excellence and growth in Christian values.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation established
the College in 1998. In that year the College had
an enrolment of 132 students, ranging from
Kindergarten to Year 7, with a teaching staff of
eight and a total staff of 12. In 2014, the College
has over 1,300 students enrolled across Pre-K to
Year 12 with a staff of 130.
The College occupies 18 hectares on one of the
highest locations in Penrith. It has magnificent
views across the city to the Blue Mountains. Its
building design places special emphasis upon
care of the environment. Many of the classrooms
are of earth shelter construction, similar to
Parliament House in Canberra. Spacious
classrooms – all air-conditioned – are grouped
around a large common “learning centre”, which
allows for flexible learning approaches to be
used with students. The College has a 600-seat
theatre, a gymnasium, an oval, three basketball
courts, four cricket nets, play equipment and
generous landscaping.
The College seeks to provide an imaginative,
purposeful, caring and enjoyable learning
environment, enabling students to progress
in accordance with their individual needs
and abilities.
The College’s mission statement is: To educate
students to become informed and responsible
global citizens who follow Christ and serve
others. Parents and students need not be
Anglican, however they must be supportive of
the College’s Christian philosophy and principles.
The College encourages students to consider
Christianity as the spiritual and moral basis of life
and to come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The College aims to nurture students so that they
are able to accept responsibility, demonstrate
commitment and personal initiative, become
self-disciplined and show sensitivity to the
needs of others.
The College places particular emphasis on
the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills
by all students. Students are taught in abilitybased groups for literacy and numeracy work
from Kindergarten to Year 12. There are two
classes in Pre-K, three classes in each year from
Kindergarten to Year 6 and four classes in each
of Years 7-12.
Students in Years 11 and 12 undertake either the
International Baccalaureate Diploma program or
the Higher School Certificate program.
Student numbers and growth reflect the
community’s confidence in the College
and testify to the overall health of a vibrant
learning environment.
Parental support of the College takes place
formally via a committed and enthusiastic
parent body, and informally through parental
participation in various learning activities and
other events associated with the College.
Christ Church @ The College began in August
2004 to serve the community of Penrith Anglican
College and now meets in the Lighthouse Theatre.
The College’s Annual Report may be accessed
from the College’s website, www.pac.nsw.edu.au .
The College endeavours to foster in all students
an appreciation of the creative arts. Consequently,
music and visual arts are taught to all students
from Kindergarten to Year 8. All students in Years
3 to 6 learn a musical instrument as part of the
music program offered.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
3
Governance
Penrith Anglican College is one of 19 schools
owned and operated by Sydney Anglican Schools
Corporation. The Corporation is constituted under
an Ordinance of the Synod of the Anglican Church
Diocese of Sydney. The Ordinance may be found
on the Sydney Diocesan website at:
http://www.sds.asn.au/assets/Documents/ords/
organord/O72-0019.pdf
It is recommended that applicants acquaint
themselves with the Corporation’s Ordinance.
Mr Tony Willis is the Corporation Chairman.
The Corporation is governed by a Board that
exercises all the powers and authorities granted
to the Corporation. The Board is the overriding
governing body for all 19 schools.
The Board Directors are also the Members of the
Corporation. The Members of the Corporation
are elected by the Synod of the Anglican Church
Diocese of Sydney, or appointed by the Archbishop
of Sydney, or appointed by the Corporation itself.
The schools of the Corporation are:
•
Arndell Anglican College, Oakville
•
Anglican Technical College Western
Sydney, Glenwood
•
Claremont College, Randwick
•
Danebank, an Anglican School for Girls,
Hurstville
•
Loquat Valley Anglican Preparatory School,
Bayview
•
Macquarie Anglican Grammar
School, Dubbo
•
Mamre Anglican School, Erskine Park
•
Nowra Anglican College, Bomaderry
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
•
Oran Park Anglican College, Oran Park
A campus of Thomas Hassall
Anglican College
•
Orange Anglican Grammar School, Orange
•
Penrith Anglican College, Orchard Hills
•
Richard Johnson Anglican School, Oakhurst
•
Roseville College, Roseville
•
Rouse Hill Anglican College, Rouse Hill
•
Shellharbour Anglican College, Dunmore
•
Shoalhaven Anglican School, Milton
•
St Luke’s Grammar School, Dee Why
•
Thomas Hassall Anglican College,
Middleton Grange
•
Wollondilly Anglican College, Tahmoor.
A central administrative and advisory office of the
Corporation, the Group Office, located at Hurstville,
services the Corporation and its schools. The
Group Office provides executive and strategic
support to the Corporation’s Board, and financial
planning, accountancy and administrative
services, such as payroll, student invoicing and
fee collection and payment of creditors, for the
schools. It also manages relationships with
Government funding authorities and financial
institutions and coordinates the undertaking
of major capital works projects across the
Corporation’s schools.
The Group Office is under the direction of the
Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Laurie
Scandrett, who works with the Principals.
The position and role of Chief Executive
Officer within the Corporation is set out in the
Corporation’s Ordinance.
Penrith Anglican College is one of
19 schools owned and operated by
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
5
School Council
The Corporation appoints School Councils to
govern an individual school, or schools, on
its behalf. School Councils are responsible
for overseeing the implementation of each
school’s strategic plan and policies that are
consistent with the Corporation’s Strategic
Plan and policies, and to develop the individual
character of each school in the context of
its local environment and in a relationship of
interdependence within the Corporation.
The School Council of Penrith Anglican College
consists of up to ten members. It is chaired by
Mr Vanda Gould and generally meets monthly.
The School Council of Penrith Anglican College
also currently exercises governance oversight of
Mamre Anglican College.
The Principal is the College’s ‘chief executive
officer’ and attends all meetings of the School
Council and its committees. The Principal
reports, in writing, to each meeting of the School
Council and provides information and advice as
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
required. The Principal is generally responsible
for preparing all drafts of policy and planning
documents for the School Council to consider.
The Principal and the School Council prepare and
recommend an annual College budget, within
Corporation guidelines, which is forwarded to the
Board of the Corporation for final approval.
The Principal does not vote on matters before
the School Council. However, the Principal is
expected to contribute significantly to discussion
before decisions are made.
The Principal is responsible for, and has
effective control of, the selection, appointment,
management and dismissal of all School staff.
However, the Principal may not appoint a person
to the position of Deputy Principal or Chaplain or
a number of other senior staff positions without
the prior approval of the School Council.
Personal And Professional
Qualities Of The Principal
The Principal will be a person of
Christian faith and character, who attends
regularly and is actively involved in a
Bible-based Christian Church.
The Principal will be a person of Christian faith and
character, who attends regularly and is actively
involved in a Bible-based Christian Church. They
must sign a “Statement of Personal Faith” in the
form last approved by the Synod of the Anglican
Church Diocese of Sydney. They must be able
to implement the Corporation’s Philosophy of
Education (http://www.sasc.nsw.edu.au), have
a thorough understanding of contemporary
educational issues, and demonstrate initiative,
leadership, and excellence in teaching.
They will also possess outstanding management,
communication, and public relations skills,
including the capacity to relate appropriately to
parents, students and staff from a diversity of
backgrounds, including people with an Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait Islander background.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
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Responsibilities Of
The Principal
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
Christian leadership
Strategy
•
Exercise Christian spiritual leadership
of staff and students, consistent with
the College’s Christian foundation and
educational philosophy.
•
•
Ensure that a high value is placed
on Christian Studies, worship and an
appropriate integration of a Christian
worldview shaped by the Bible in the
broader curriculum.
•
Encourage outreach and opportunities for
students, staff and parents to explore and
express the Christian faith.
•
Follow the Corporation’s policy on the
employment of Christian staff.
•
Establish and maintain effective relations
with local Anglican parishes, as appropriate,
and other evangelical Christian Churches.
•
Seek opportunities to further their own
understanding of the Bible, and its
application in the work of the College,
including via active membership of a local
Bible-based Christian Church.
Review and further develop the College’s
Strategic Plan such that it aligns with the
framework of the Corporation’s Strategic
Plan 2020.
Educational leadership
•
Oversee teaching and learning to meet the
needs and interests of students and the
reasonable expectations of parents and at a
standard recognised by professional peers
as appropriate.
•
Promote high academic standards,
with academic programs organised in
accordance with Board of Studies, Teaching
and Educational Standards curriculum
requirements and/or those applicable to the
International Baccalaureate program.
•
Provide regular advice and guidance to
staff on changes in curriculum, assessment
and reporting.
•
Make recommendations to the School
Council on initiatives to ensure appropriate
adaptation and implementation of
desirable educational changes, within
available resources.
•
Encourage
teaching
methodologies
appropriate to the educational needs of
students, and appropriate for the structure
of the College.
Exercise Christian spiritual leadership
of staff and students, consistent with
the College’s Christian foundation and
educational philosophy
Management of staff
Management of resources
Communication
•
Maintain an effective executive structure
that can manage the day-to-day operations
of the College and support the Principal.
•
•
•
Ensure good communication with and
between staff members and high morale.
In particular, ensure staff understand
and respond to the financial imperatives
relevant to the College’s operations.
Provide efficient and effective management
of the resources of the College, operating
within budget, yet seeking always to secure
improved resources.
•
Optimise student numbers in each class.
Communicate effectively with the School
Council to ensure a strong level of trust and
understanding essential for a successful
partnership in operating and continuing to
develop the College.
•
Regularly review aspects of the College’s
administration to optimise efficiency with
reference to appropriate benchmarks.
•
•
Attend to matters related to provision
of capital resources for the College,
as appropriate.
Interact frequently with parents, building
rapport with them to understand better the
needs and circumstances of their children,
to harness effectively their informal
advocacy and promotion of the College and
their support for the various organisations,
events and fundraising in the College.
•
Facilitate the raising of donations for the
College’s building and other needs.
•
•
Develop, with the School Council, a fiveyear rolling plan for the development of the
College’s physical and human resources.
Establish contacts with local politicians,
community and business leaders and local
media to seek to ensure community support
for the College.
•
Continue to present the College’s profile
and character with positive publicity in the
media and through appropriate publications
and events with a view to building morale,
raising funds, attracting students and
promoting the Christian faith.
•
Facilitate the professional development of
staff, and conduct staff appraisals regularly.
Management of risk and
compliance matters
•
•
Ensure the College complies with all
relevant legislative requirements, including
child protection, WHS, State and Federal
reporting matters, teacher accreditation,
and school registration and accreditation.
Ensure appropriate risk management
practices are implemented and adhered to.
•
Report regularly on the performance of
the College, via the School Council, to
the Board.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
9
Conditions Of Employment
It is anticipated that the Principal will be in a
position to commence full-time responsibilities in
2015, with the exact starting date to be negotiated.
An attractive remuneration package will be
offered by Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
in accord with Corporation policy.
The package will be determined on a ‘cost to
employer’ basis. Within the package, the following
elements are available in proportions nominated
by the Principal (subject to Government regulation):
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
•
salary
•
children’s education
•
a fully-maintained car
•
other benefits as agreed to by the Board
•
fringe benefits tax as applicable; and
•
superannuation (including compulsory
and voluntary employer and employee
contributions).
The package will be reviewed annually.
A copy of the proposed Principal’s Letter of
Appointment is available on request.
An annual performance appraisal will be
undertaken by the School Council.
Reasonable
relocation
be reimbursed.
expenses
may
Applications
Applications should be provided in an A4 page
format, suitable for photocopying, and sent by
post to the address below.
Applicants should include the following
information:
•
name, residential address, telephone
number(s) and other contact details
•
a recent photograph
•
details of academic qualifications and
achievements, giving names of institutions
and dates
•
Church membership and involvement
•
an explanation of the Christian Gospel
(in approximately 100 words)
•
details of educational and administrative
experience
•
details of other relevant qualifications or
experience (including teacher accreditation
status, as applicable)
•
cultural and sporting interests
•
a one-page statement that details the
applicant’s vision for Christian education as
it might apply to the College
•
at least two written references; one
from the Minister of the Church attended
currently by the applicant, and the other
related to the applicant’s educational and
administrative activities
•
the names, addresses and telephone
numbers of at least two other referees,
one of whom can provide a character
testimonial and one of whom can provide
further information on the applicant’s
educational and administrative experience
Although full applications should be mailed, a
PDF may be emailed to the following address,
which may also be used for general contact
purposes:
a statement regarding the applicant’s
general health.
Should you wish to discuss your application,
Dr Laurie Scandrett, Chief Executive Officer,
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, may be
contacted by telephone on 02 8567 4040.
•
In addition, the following information would
be welcome:
•
nationality; and
•
marital status, including, where applicable,
name and occupation of spouse, names
and ages of children.
Applications should be marked Private and
Confidential and mailed to:
Mr Tony Willis
Chairman
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
PO Box 465
HURSTVILLE BC NSW 1481
email: ceo@sasc.nsw.edu.au
Unless otherwise varied, the closing date for
receipt of applications Wed 27 August 2014.
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
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Consideration of
Applications
Privacy
Statement
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation will handle
all expressions of interest and formal applications
in confidence.
In relation to your application, please be aware
that in applying for this position, you will be
providing Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
with personal information.
A Search Committee will interview selected
candidates.
A selected candidate from these interviews will
then be invited to meet with the Corporation
Board and the School Council.
Selected candidates may be required to undergo
a psychological assessment and medical
examination at the expense of the Corporation.
Under child protection legislation the Corporation
is required to conduct a Working With Children
Check if you are a preferred candidate for
the position.
The Corporation reserves the right to revise the
terms and conditions set out in this document at
any time prior to making an appointment, or not
to make an appointment.
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Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation
If you provide us with personal information,
we will collect the information to assess
your application.
You agree that we may store this information
until the position is filled, and in the case of you
being the successful applicant, store it in your
personal file.
You may seek access to personal information
that we hold about you if your application is
unsuccessful. However, there will be occasions
when access may be denied.
We will not disclose this information to unrelated
third parties without your consent.
If you provide us with the personal information
of others, for example, the names and addresses
of referees, we encourage you to inform them
that you are disclosing the information to the
Corporation, and why.
Serving Christ
by equipping students for His world
Address
Level 1
420 Forest Rd
Hurstville NSW 2220
Postal Address
PO Box 465
Hurstville BC NSW 1481
Phone
+61 2 8567 4000
Website
www.sasc.nsw.edu.au
ABN
63 544 529 806
School Address
Penrith Anglican College
338-356 Wentworth Road
Orchard Hills NSW 2748
Sydney Anglican
Schools Corporation