PRINCIPAL OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
OVERVIEW AND DETAILED POSITION PROFILE
We are in search of an educational leader who will guide SJR’s Junior School.
Founded in 1820, SJR is today a school of over 815 students including 30 boarding
students. The School consists of a single campus housing a Junior School (Grades K to
5), Middle School (Grades 6 to 8), and a Senior School (Grades 9 to 12).
Physical facilities have been expanded and modernized to integrate all aspects of the
academic, cultural and athletic programs of the School, including a new Senior School
and a state of the art fitness and movement centre. Technologically up-to-date libraries,
science labs and classrooms promote collaborative learning. An Olympic-size hockey
arena, extensive playing fields, performing and fine arts facilities, and a new music centre
support SJR’s extensive co-curricular programs.
The School’s Mission is focused on students and their achievements. Academic
excellence is sought through high measurable standards and is achieved by a commitment
to best educational practices. Our exceptional programs are designed to help students
explore the full range of their potential personal growth and development. Graduates
attend universities throughout Canada, the United States and elsewhere, often being
offered prestigious scholarships. SJR has produced 17 Rhodes Scholars, and hundreds of
men and women in leadership roles in business, science and engineering, medicine and
the arts.
SJR’s strategic vision has created new opportunities for institutional innovation, growth,
and leadership. The new Principal will report to the Assistant Head – Academic,
Teaching and Innovation and will be a key player in shaping, articulating and translating
this vision into action in the Junior School. The Principal is expected to be a leader by
example, ready to experience the many rich opportunities for personal growth that are
present in the School. Above all, the Principal is expected to be a person who will make a
positive and lasting difference in the lives of our students, the teachers and the School
community as a whole.
The Junior School has implemented a number of key initiatives over the past decade. In
September 2004, the Junior School welcomed its first Kindergarten program (two
sections) as well as its first female students in Kindergarten through Grades 2. An 11,000
square foot addition to the Junior School provided spacious new classrooms and a multipurpose performing arts space. The School became fully co-educational in the fall of
2007. Exciting new methodology, including the Reggio Emilia approach, infusion of
technology, integration of the Visual Arts program, utilization of learning support
strategies and adaptations for students with specific learning needs, and the application of
character education skills are some of the recent innovations.
The new Principal will join an institution that is well-governed, financially secure, staffed
by highly motivated and committed teachers and support staff, and supported by a
community of parents who value education and have a high regard for our School. It is a
formula for success and personal fulfillment. S/he will be able to enjoy the support and
encouragement of a dynamic Senior Administrative Team. The Head of School, Mr. Jim
Keefe, will be part of the search committee. Additional details about the position and the
candidate profile are found on the accompanying job description and the advertisement
that has been placed nationally.
PRINCIPAL OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Principal of Junior School reports to the Assistant Head – Academic, Teaching and
Innovation. The Principal is charged with the comprehensive responsibility for all
activities involving students, faculty and support staff in the Junior School. The Principal
is responsible for the creation and maintenance of a healthy, safe and dynamic learning
environment in which both staff and students may best grow and develop. As requested
by the Head or Board Chair, the Principal attends Board meetings. Specific
responsibilities include the following:
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To ensure that SJR’s Vision, Mission, and Values are reflected in all aspects of
the Junior School and, with other members of the School’s Senior
Administrative Team, to implement strategic initiatives assigned by the Head.
To be the educational leader of the Junior School division, responsible for its
day-to-day operation; to direct the activities of the Junior School’s faculty and
support staff in the performance of their duties.
To articulate the Junior School division’s programs, expectations, behavioral
guidelines, and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are
fully informed consistent with their individual roles.
To lead the Junior School faculty in enhancing the learning environment to
effectively meet the needs of 21st Century learners.
To work with faculty and the Senior Administrative Team on the identification,
assessment and management of risks within the Junior School.
To ensure that the Junior School is a healthy and safe environment for students,
faculty, support staff and visitors.
To play a leading role in establishing a climate of professional development,
teaching and program excellence; to keep abreast of general developments in
the field of education and bring to the attention of the faculty and the Head
those of significance to the Junior School division.
To ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and
agencies; to meet and often exceed educational standards established by
Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning.
To observe, supervise and evaluate the faculty in the delivery of the
instructional program; to supervise the teaching process, and to review and
evaluate the academic programs within the Junior School.
To oversee the development of annual professional growth plans for all Junior
School faculty and staff in a collaborative manner.
To oversee the hiring process for faculty and support staff in the Junior School
and mentoring of new teachers and new team leaders.
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To be well versed in the educational, physical, social and psychological needs
of students, faculty and support staff and to develop plans and programming for
meeting these needs.
To conduct regular meetings with faculty which deal both with day-to-day
school matters and ideas and practices which enhance the Junior School
professional learning community.
To oversee the coordination of the co-curricular programs of the Junior School;
to assist in the planning and the presentation of Junior School assemblies, events
and programs; to assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school
events.
To oversee and direct the activities of faculty with special responsibilities, the
leaders of various student organizations and activities, and faculty committees,
including grade team leaders.
To work with the Senior Administrative Team in the coordination of
educational functions, events and facility usage among Junior, Middle and
Senior School.
To provide for the academic guidance of students; to maintain complete
academic records on all students; to oversee the grading and the reporting of
standards used by teachers in measuring student achievement, including
proofreading and commenting on all report cards.
To monitor and report to parents the academic, and when appropriate, the social
and emotional development of each student.
To communicate regularly school program details, events and activities that
celebrate school life and inform parents of educational and developmental
issues.
To be responsible for establishing guidelines for proper student conduct; to
maintain student discipline consistent with school policies; to monitor students’
adherence to established school rules; to maintain accurate records of student
attendance.
To prepare annual operating and capital expense proposals for the Head and
administer the Junior School budget as directed by the Head through the
Assistant Head, Finance and Operations.
To be a visible presence in all areas of the school; to work toward a resolution
of all problems - both routine and unique - as they arise; to keep the Head of
School informed of the general programs, activities and challenges.
To assist in the admissions process for interviewing and selecting applicants for
enrollment.
To perform other duties as assigned.
The Principal may at his/her discretion, and with the agreement of the Head, delegate
some portion of his/her authority either for a specified period or on an ad hoc basis,
but may not thereby delegate or abdicate any portion whatsoever of his/her
responsibility.