Saints Academy, as part of St Philip's Christian Education, is an innovative new program in the hours beyond school where intentional and tailored learning is offered to children as an alternative to traditional after school care options.  We offer unhurried learning opportunities for curious children to engage in learning they love, with prioritised times in nature and a focus on physical fitness, health, well-being and creativity.

To a large degree, this position will be tailored to suit the successful candidate’s skills and expertise in an educational leadership role, which includes leading a team of educators with complimentary skills to successfully implement the high-quality and innovative educational program (mentioned above). The renumeration and conditions related to the role have been designed to support wellbeing with flexibility in-mind, and are an attractive alternative to a traditional in-school teaching position or early childhood educator/teacher position. This can be discussed further during the interview process.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to bring your knowledge and education experience to further develop and embed innovative learning in this new space within the education sector.

The leader of the program is responsible for:

• Designing the innovative educational program, in collaboration with our Saints Academy Director team.
• Supervision, safety and well-being of children
• Leading and supporting staff
• Administering enrolments and developing relationships with families
• Creating engaging learning environments

To a large degree, this position will be tailored to suit the successful candidate’s skills and expertise in an educational leadership role, which includes leading a team of educators with complimentary skills to successfully implement the high-quality and innovative educational program (mentioned above). The renumeration and conditions related to the role have been designed to support wellbeing with flexibility in-mind, and are an attractive alternative to a traditional in-school teaching position or early childhood educator/teacher position. This can be discussed further during the interview process.

The leader of the program is responsible for:

• Designing the innovative educational program, in collaboration with our Saints Academy Director team.
• Supervision, safety and well-being of children
• Leading and supporting staff
• Administering enrolments and developing relationships with families
• Creating engaging learning environments

The Nominated Supervisor is responsible for managing all day-to-day aspects of the Saint’s Academy operations (location) and provide leadership ensuring high quality education and care provision.
This role is responsible for:
•    Educational program in accordance with the Saints Academy vision and philosophy.
•    Daily ratios, including organising staffing accordingly.
•    Overseeing the physical facilities through a lens of function, aesthetics, risk and compliance.
•    Supervision and safety of children with an understanding of risk, compliance and wellbeing of children.
•    Organising excursions and incursions, and all related arranging, primarily for Vacation programs.
•    Food and beverage.
•    The medical needs of children including, administration of medications, developing health plans, risk minimisation plans, understanding and provision for children with a medical diagnosis.
•    managing the overall image of the centre.
•    Developing relationships that support and partner with families.
•    Leading and supporting staff including awareness of staff well-being, co-ordinating and running monthly staff meetings and morning briefings.
•    Attendance at monthly Directors meetings.
 

The Director is also responsible to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, applicable educational frameworks and outworking the location budget alongside the Head of Saints Academy. The Director must ensure and advocate, always, for best practice in all 7 Quality Areas being:

• Quality Area 1 - Educational program and practice.
• Quality Area 2 - Children's health and safety.
• Quality Area 3 - Physical environment.
• Quality Area 4 - Staffing arrangements.
• Quality Area 5 - Relationships with children.
• Quality Area 6 - Collaborative partnerships with families and communities.
• Quality Area 7- Governance and Leadership

Organisational Relationships

The Director reports to the Head of Saints Academy ensuring open communication on all issues pertaining to the 7 Quality Areas. The Director has responsibility for all educators engaged in the program and is expected to lead with integrity, transparency, and professionalism always.

Accountabilities and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Influential Leadership and Quality Service Delivery

• Act as the Responsible Person whenever onsite during hours of operation. 
• Act as a professional, responsive, and effective liaison point for parents focusing on positive and reciprocal relationships with families keeping them informed of management decisions.
• Contribute to inspirational and professional leadership to build a culture of staff engagement and teamwork.
• Ensure the daily program and interactions uphold the rights of children and child protection/child safe standards as paramount.
• Develop and maintain a learning community within the service where there is a culture of reflective practice and ongoing learning to drive quality and continuous improvement;
• Act as a change agent and effectively lead and manage change;
• Build positive relationships with local service providers and provide pathways for integrated service delivery where possible;
• Effectively foster relationships that build the profile of the Academy within the wider community and with strategic stakeholders.
• Maintain effective communication channels with the Head of Saints Academy and participate in regular professional development.
• Communicate organisational messages clearly and consistently with staff team.
• Work in collaboration with staff to oversee the development, implementation, and reflection of a high-quality program for all enrolled children that is consistent with:
  • The Saints Academy philosophy, policies, and procedures.
  • The National Quality Standards;
  • My Time, Our Place Framework.
• Ensure and report on Service compliance with the Education and Care Services National Regulations, Education and Care Services National Law and National Quality Standards including –
  • Any relevant notifications required to be made to regulatory body.
  • Informing the Head of Saints Academy of all notifications or near miss events.
  • Contribute to and maintain a Quality Improvement Plan, including continual self-assessment of the Academy against the National Regulations, National Law, and National Quality Standards.
  • Leading the Academy (location) through the Assessment and Rating process including any appeals or feedback opportunities.
•  Actively participate in staff meetings and activities.

Staff Management      

• Support the Head of Academy with staff orientation ensuring familiarisation with all policies and procedures.
• Implement cost effective staff rosters that ensure ratio compliance.
• Monitor and manage staff daily performance. 
• Actively participate in performance appraisal process and continuing professional development planning with guidance from the Head of Saints Academy.
• Ensure staff have a working knowledge of the Regulations and National Quality Framework and meet these guidelines in their work practices.
• Contribute positively and effectively to the team environment.

Administrative Management

• Manage and monitor budgetary and administrative functions of the Service ensuring regulatory and organisational compliance;
• Effective monitoring of student’s attendance patterns ensuring utilisations are sustainable and strong.
• Undertake utilisation and maintenance reporting and provide monthly report to the Head of Saints Academy as per schedule (25th of each month);
• Ensure the Head of Saints Academy is informed of any problem arising, which would affect the students, service approval or rating, regulatory and legal compliance of the smooth running of the Academy.
• Participate in the preparation of the annual budget and provide information and guidance to the Head of Saints Academy on budget preparation and allocation.
• Be aware of and develop skills relating to administrative functions of the service;
• Ensure effective enrolment procedures and bookings;
• Implement and monitor and review risk management plans.

Collaboration with Families, Professionals, and the Community

• Ensure parents are appropriately informed and consulted with about their children.
• Build and maintain professional, inclusive, and positive relationships with families.
• Always ensure professional communication with families and act as a resource to support the student.
• Draw on the knowledge and experience of families to support their student’s learning and engagement;
• Lead and engage positively in the orientation, enrolment and transition processes for families and children;
• Actively support the organisation’s philosophy, policies and procedures and positively represent the organisation to external contacts at all opportunities.
• Actively participate in and contribute to cross organisation projects and activities. 
• Demonstrate the Academy code of conduct/code of ethics in all interactions and relationships. 
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality policy with regards to students, families, and educators always.
• Engage in professional conversations with other professionals as is appropriate.
• Reflect and respond accordingly to high levels of feedback from colleagues, families and external stakeholders;

Workplace Health and Safety

• Work in a manner that does not pose a risk to self or others;
• Ensure a safe and healthy work environment at all times;
• Act immediately on any safety issues that relate to the working environment of the service;
• Understand, implement and monitor effective WHS practices in accordance with regulations, legislation and service policy;
• Resource an Academy environment which –
• Has appropriate equipment that helps the team to maintain the aesthetics
• Has equipment that is repaired and maintained in a timely manner
• Ensures the Academy strives towards environmental sustainability in all areas.
• Ensure the Academy’s Child Protection policy and Child Safe Standards are implemented and
  • Inform and assist other employees, of which you become aware
  • Ensure your compliance as a mandatory reported
  • Ensure the recruitment process includes compliance with the Working with Children Check guidelines.
• Follow Academy guidelines in providing a safe environment for students and staff including conducting daily and monthly workplace inspections and risk assessments and as per schedule. 
• Understand, implement, and review emergency management procedures as required.
• Ensure the Academy’s duty of care to children and their families is strictly maintained.
• Ensure all staff are aware and respond positively and consistently to children’s additional needs/requirements – including medical and developmental conditions.
• Maintain educator-to-child ratios and qualifications at all times.
• Implement the Academy’s Work Health and Safety policy in accordance with regulations, legislation and Service policy
  • Ensure policies and procedures are implemented as per the Workplace Health and Safety Injury Management System
  • Investigate workplace hazards and ensure corrective actions are implemented
  • Provide a consultative process for communication of WHS information allowing 
  • Report WHS achievements and activities a required and keep all necessary record keeping.

Professional Conduct and Learning

• Work within the National Quality Framework, the Service philosophy, policies, and procedures.
• Consistently contribute as an effective and influential leader.
• Actively participate in performance appraisal processes.
• Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional learning.
• Attend and contribute to family meetings, staff meetings, Educational Leader meetings and other whole of staff professional learning events.
• Undertake approved child protection training.

Position Selection Criteria

• Qualifications
  • Degree-qualified teacher or Diploma level qualification in Early Childhood (or similar)
  • A current National Police Check (state/territory relevant)
  • Working with Children’s Check
  • ACECQA approved Child Protection qualifications (CHCPRT001 or CHCPRT025) or willingness to complete.
  • ACECAQ approved First Aid qualifications including asthma and anaphylaxis
• Capabilities
  • Highly developed communication, interpersonal skills
  • Ability to lead the team in pedagogical matters including curriculum planning and professional development
  • Demonstration of initiative and innovation
  • Ability to self-manage and meet timelines
  • Highly developed written and verbal communication/presentation skills
  • Ability to develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures
  • Computer literacy (MS Office Suite, CCSS systems, Qikkids or similar)