Sha Tin College is seeking to appoint a Vice Principal - Guidance & Wellbeing to ensure that Guidance and Wellbeing are at the centre of College Purpose, Values and Priorities. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team the Vice Principal - Guidance & Wellbeing is responsible for the strategic leadership of this area.
The Vice Principal - Guidance & Wellbeing:
* Articulates a vision for student support
* Is the designated lead Child Protection Officer (CPO) holding key safeguarding responsibility
* Oversees procedures and systems relating to proactive guidance and wellbeing
* Is responsible for leading and line-managing staff with specific student support responsibilities and ensuring appropriate training for staff whenever required, including child protection training
* Is responsible for ensuring appropriate communication with students, staff, parents and other members of the community regarding well-being issues, including new staff induction processes
STRATEGIC DIRECTION:
* Ensure the strategic direction for Guidance and Wellbeing is in alignment with the ESF and STC Purpose, Values and Priorities and is coherently implemented
* Contribute to and lead on designated aspects of the STC Strategic Development Plan
* Work with the SLT to ensure that development and action planning for Guidance and Wellbeing sits coherently with the STC Strategic Development Plan
* Coordinate innovations relating to Guidance and Wellbeing
SAFEGUARDING:
* Be the designated lead Child Protection Officer (CPO) ensuring all areas of this role are prioritised effectively whenever child protection situations arise
* Ensure staff are appropriately trained and effectively understand their duties in regard to the ESF Child Protection Policy
* Advise the Principal and relevant senior colleagues of specific student health, safeguarding and child protection issues, and liaise closely with such colleagues in emergency situations
* Liaise confidentially with outside agencies in accordance with ESF guidelines
STUDENT SUPPORT:
Student Support Systems:
* Oversee the coherence and effectiveness of student support systems, ensuring collaboration between all teams with student support responsibilities, specifically:
* Year-Group Teams
* Health Professionals Team
* Counselling Team
* House Teams
* Ensure that Year-Group teams and House teams are effectively supporting the social and development needs of students
* Work with the Health Professional and Counselling teams to ensure that students receive any necessary medical/psychological care
* Oversee the development of the After Schools Activities (ASA) programme as a means to promote student wellbeing
* Liaise with external agencies regarding student welfare as needed
Student Voice, Agency and Student Leadership:
* Promote a school culture that ensures every student feels they have a voice
* Oversee the leadership of the House system
* Oversee student leadership groups specifically the Student Council, Environment & Sustainability Council and oversee colleagues who hold specific responsibility for student leadership groups
Guidance and Wellbeing Curriculum and Tutoring:
* Develop and oversee the Wellbeing Curriculum and liaise with the Wellbeing Curriculum Coordinator and Heads of Section to ensure it effectively supports student well being
* Ensure the Wellbeing Curriculum programme is effectively documented, has appropriate content and is regularly reviewed
* Ensure we have effective systems for monitoring, evaluating and guiding tutor teams
Admissions and Transitions:
* Oversee Student Admissions
* Work with the Admissions Manager to ensure effective admissions procedures in accordance with ESF policy and guidelines
* Liaise with the Heads of Section regarding admission procedures for students
* Liaise with the Heads of Section/Year regarding student induction
* Oversee Student Transition
* Liaise with the Head of Middle School and faculty members with responsibility for transition to coordinate Years 6 to 7 transition and induction processes in close collaboration with the relevant Primary Schools and in accordance with ESF guidelines
* Liaise with the Heads of Section to ensure effective student transition throughout the school
STUDENT SUPPORT – Staff Teams:
* Collaborate closely with the Heads of Section and fellow Vice Principals to respond to any student tracking concerns which may emerge
* Meet regularly with Heads of Section and overall Guidance and Wellbeing Team meetings ensuring colleagues are fully aligned with the STC vision for well-being
* Liaise with Heads of Section/Year to ensure guidance and wellbeing issues are appropriately addressed and to ensure proactive tutoring and support
* Line-manage Health Professionals and Counselling Team
* Liaise with fellow Vice Principals regarding the provision of Professional Learning opportunities relating to guidance and well-being
* Lead on new staff induction ensuring all new teaching staff are well supported throughout the transition process
* Liaise with teachers on practicum placements to STC ensuring they are well supported and working in line with STC policies and procedures
* Alert the Principal to any staff well-being issues
* Assist the Principal with the recruitment of new staff as required
COMMUNICATION:
* Ensure that positive well-being initiatives are actively celebrated with the community, and that concerns or complaints are promptly heard and effectively addressed
* Ensure appropriate communication with groups of parents, students and staff whenever patterns of welfare concern emerge
* Promote the work of the Guidance and Wellbeing Team and programme through our newsletters and other communication tools
The Vice Principal (Guidance and Well-being) is responsible for any other duties which the Principal, School Council or ESFC colleagues may reasonably expect to be carried out, and will be asked to deputise for the Principal and other senior colleagues as needed.
Closing Date: 7th Feb 2025
For enquiries, please contact Jamie Chan at pa_princiap@stconline.edu.hk
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date.
By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.
ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ESF will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, religion, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, creed, citizenship or any other status protected by local laws or regulations.
Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with the ESF's Personal Data Policy, a copy of which will be provided upon request.
Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.