ASSISTANT HEAD OF SECONDARY - WELLBEING
CLOSING DATE: UNTIL FILLED
STARTING DATE: JULY 2022
Description of School:
Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
Description of Position:
The Assistant Head of Secondary - Wellbeing leads the Secondary School in implementing best practices in student and academic wellbeing and the wellbeing of staff and families. They develop a strategic vision, which guides the school in being a place where each student feels happy, healthy, safe and engaged and are supported in building the skills and attributes, which will enable them to flourish now and into the future.
Responsibilities:
The Assistant Head of Secondary – Wellbeing is responsible for the following:
General Expectations:
Support the Head of Secondary School in ensuring the smooth running of the Secondary school.
Act as a professional role model for the community and work as a team player with other members of the
Secondary Leadership Team.
Support the ethos of the school in actions and speech and work hard to make our school a Centre of Excellence in
all our endeavors.
Work to achieve the goals of Secondary School as expressed in the Secondary School Improvement Plan and Whole
School Strategic Plan.
Contribute to the development of the school as a learning community through fostering inquiry, reflection,
innovation and professional learning.
Consistently uphold and promote the school's vision, mission and values and promote our culture of care with
positive relationships.
Contribute to the creation of the Secondary School's Annual Improvement Plan
Contribute to an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect in the Secondary School and specifically among the SLT,
and promote collaboration, discussion, debate and teamwork.
Promote exemplary standards and expectations and model professional practice to the best of my ability.
Develop, refine, support and implement policies in the Secondary School
Responsibilities specific to the role:
Oversight for the development of STRIVE (pastoral) programs
Use data to inform the tracking of student wellbeing
Work closely with The Wellbeing Team in relation to current and emerging issues impacting student wellbeing
Maintain a scope and sequence of wellbeing programs, advise on content and implement new initiatives in
accordance with best practice
Responsibility for Presentation Day Head of Year (HoY) Awards, STRIVE Awards and Outstanding Achievement
Awards
Liaise with Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to monitor the attendance and performance of all students
Conducting of Pastoral Interviews as well as Academic Enrolment meetings
Responsible for all student behavior (e.g. bullying, theft, social media) and discipline, uniform
Completion of student behavior, discipline and investigations
Lead the Secondary in the safeguarding of students monthly reports to Cognita
Conduct regular staff briefings, community communications and student presentations
Lead the Secondary safeguarding curriculum and assist with annual reviews
Oversight for Year level landing pages on Connect AIS
Lead the orientation and transition of new students
Proofread STRIVE Reports
Oversight for HoY annual plans for ongoing improvement
Oversight of HOYs, Wellbeing Coordinators, Secondary School Counselors, Head of Positive Education, Community
Service and Community, Action & Service (CAS ) Coordinator and STRIVE teams (including performance
management)
Yearly appointment and allocation of HoY and STRIVE Teachers
Oversight of the AIS Residential Program including the Boarding House and Homestay, whilst managing The
Boarding Guardian and International Student Coordinator
Maintenance and oversight of Pastoral Policies and procedures
Oversight and contribution to the Academic Admissions process
Lead and grow safeguarding within the AIS community
Actively seek ways to promote AIS as a leader in global wellbeing
Undertake all other duties as required by the Head of the Secondary School.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that
are required of the employee for this position.
It is the job holder’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young person’s for whom s/he is
responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact with and compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding Child
Protection Policy and Procedures should be adhered to at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head or indeed to the Cognita Regional
Safeguarding Manager so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third-party services.
Position requirements:
Passion for the provision of student care and student wellbeing
Sound understanding of the Australian Curriculum, International General Certificate of Secondary Education
(IGCSE), Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Pastoral leadership experience essential - genuine care for students and their wellbeing
Leadership of Middle Managers and coordinate the STRIVE Group Teachers
Experience in organising year level activities, POD Meetings and events relevant to the year level
Experience in the development of STRIVE Programs in a Secondary context
Experience in providing academic guidance, strategies and support to students
Excellent communication skills
Exemplary organisation and documentation skills
A calm disposition and holistic outlook towards safeguarding whilst being a Secondary safeguarding lead
Comprehensive understanding of positive psychology
Attendance at and support of school events outside of standards school hours
Qualifications:
A minimum 4 year teaching qualification from a recognised institution; higher qualifications would be an advantage
A minimum of 5 years of experience in a Middle Leadership position within an educational institution;
Experience within an international school environment would be an advantage;
Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills;
The ability to work across all levels of the school community including teachers, School Executive, students and
parents.
Contacts:
Member of SLT
Chair Heads of Year Meetings
Chair Weekly Welfare Meetings
Member of the Academic Admissions Team
Member of the Safeguarding Committee / Designated Safeguarding Lead
Member of the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA)
Member of Australian Boarding Schools Association
Working Conditions:
Official working hours 8am to 4pm or as required
Occasional weekend or evening work including department meetings or professional development
Terms of Employment:
Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all
staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment
background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Appointment is subject to an enhanced
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for regulated activity (if the candidate has lived in the UK) and/or criminal/police
or equivalent background checks for all other countries inhabited (irrespective of whether you worked in those countries).
Full Time role
Paid Annual Leave during prescribed school holidays
Paid sick and hospitalisation leave
Other benefits including relocation and housing depending on terms of employment
Further information about this position is available in the job description found in the AIS website at https://www.ais.com.sg/work-for-us/positions-vacant/.
Application for Position:
Applicants are required to read the job description for the role prior to applying and submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a duly completed copy of the School's Job Application Form (downloadable from the school's website) to applications_elem@ais.com.sg. Please add REF: ibschooljobs - Application for position as Assistant Head of Secondary in the subject of your email.
Only applications submitted using the school's job application form will be considered.