Assistant Director, Student Services, Senior School

Assistant Director, Student Services, Senior School

Full-Time Continuing Contract

2024-2025

Crofton House School offers a girl-centred learning environment for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Here, students are motivated to strive for their best selves, embracing academic challenge and diverse experiences, guided by staff who know them and believe in them.

Bound by our belief in the power of girl-centred education, Crofton House School fosters a strong sense of community among educators, staff, students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, and families.

Here, everyone can contribute to the strength of our school including you.

We offer extensive professional development opportunities, competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Our 10-acre campus provides modern facilities, as well as beautiful outdoor spaces and a daily connection to nature.

Crofton House School is distinguished by exceptional teachers and administrators who support and inspire students to become their best selves and to and to develop their confidence and competence so they can impact their world for the better.

Crofton House is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director of Student Services to join the Senior School at this exciting time in the School’s history with the launch of our Strategic Plan, Thriving in Possibility.

The Assistant Director, Student Services, provides strategic direction, leadership, and oversight on all aspects of student welfare, and well-being and is a member of the Senior School Leadership Team and the Whole School Learning Council.

A knowledgeable and experienced school leader, you are confident in supporting learners using approaches that are reflective of the way girls develop and thrive.

You believe in the importance of socio-emotional learning as the foundation of all learning, and in the role of a high-quality advisory program as a fundamental pillar of a positive school culture.

You have a deep understanding of safeguarding and of the challenges and opportunities that adolescent girls face in their time at school : you are committed to ensuring that every student flourishes.

You are adept at building relationships with various external agencies and stakeholders that can enhance the support available to students and build on the staff’s expertise.

You understand the importance of parents as partners in their daughters’ education and hence you build open and collaborative relationships with the parent community.

Your intercultural skills allow you to thrive in a diverse environment. You build trust through a combination of competence, integrity, approachability, openness to learning, and presence in the community.

You demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning by actively seeking professional development, continually reflecting on professional practice, and by collaborating with colleagues to maximize positive outcomes for students.

You actively participate in the life of the school.

Approachable, knowledgeable, and able to inspire trust and confidence in all stakeholders, the Assistant Director of Student Services is driven by their passion to make a difference to young people.

To this effect, they build open and collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents and strategic partners in the local, national and international community.

This position is scheduled to start in the summer 2024.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities :

Educational leadership

Provide strategic direction and vision to the Student Services Department, ensuring effective collaboration within the team and alignment with the current Strategic Plan and in particular the priorities of the Foundation Wellbeing strategy.

In collaboration with the Department Heads and Heads of Grade, support and provide resources to further the development of teaching and learning practices that are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and supportive of neurodiversity

Oversee the social and emotional well-being of Senior School Students in coordination with the Student Services Department members, Advisors, and Heads of Grade

Develop and oversee a systematic approach to pastoral data analysis, with a particular focus on analyzing qualitative and quantitative feedback to inform programming

Oversee a systematic approach to student support and interventions using MySchool attendance data, and CPOMS entries

Coordinate improvement plans and student contracts where needed

Lead the oversight of the overall well-being of the school-sponsored students from Afghanistan, working closely with the English+ Coordinator

Oversee and support the work of the Student Wellbeing and SEL Coordinator, including their work with the Heads of Grades, advisory programming and Extended Advisory curriculum

Oversee and support the work of the Learning Strategies Coordinator, including policies and practices regarding IEP development and allocation of Ministry funding

Oversee and support the team of Personal Counselors, including coordinating our counsellors' teaching opportunities within advisor sessions

Coordinate the Senior School annual Board Report on student well-being and safeguarding

Oversee and develop an annual program of parental engagement around student wellbeing, working in close collaboration with the Director, Senior School

Keep up to date with the latest developments in the field of student wellbeing, SEL, and differentiation to appraise the Director, Senior School and the Learning Council of any relevant developments

Provide annual safeguarding training to Senior School school staff as well as lead professional development sessions where required

Work in close collaboration with the other Assistant Directors of the Senior School

Educational Operations

Oversee attendance procedures and the work of the Administrative Assistant, front office, including safeguarding processes

Oversee the work of the AdministrativeAssistant, Student Services office

Provide direct supervision and support to the Student Wellbeing and SEL Coordinator, LR Coordinator, and Personal Counsellors

Chair weekly Student of concern meetings and individual school-based team meetings with families and external community partners (if needed)

Coordinate the student Essential Learning Plans,’ Return to School protocols and Academic Support Plans’ in collaboration with the Director, Senior School

Coordinate Course Change requests in line with medical team recommendations, IEP or designations

Coordinate ministry documentation, such as Ministry designations and 1701 data submissions, and communication in relevant areas where required

Play a role alongside the Senior School Director, Department Heads and Coordinators in the recruitment of staff

Oversee Student Services budget, including Personal counseling, Learning Strategies and SEL departments to ensure fiscal responsibility

Whole school collaboration and partnerships

Work collaboratively with the CHS Learning Council in all aspects of school management, inspection or accreditation preparation and strategic development

Work collaboratively with the Senior School Leadership Team to ensure an approach rooted in a whole-child approach to teaching and learning and informed by research and best practice in girls’ education

Develop strategic professional partnerships within local, national and international networks to further strengthen safeguarding and student well-being practices at the school

Work with other departments in the School to ensure all school systems, activities, and philosophies are aligned to foster student flourishing

Other responsibilities

Model evidence-based, research-informed, impactful teaching and learning practices in their own teaching which may include up to 1 section or advisory lessons

Take assemblies where required

Act as a teacher sponsor for the Prefect of Health & Wellness and oversee the CHS Wellness Week

Be available to support and attend school-related events and meetings during evenings and on weekends

Play a role in the Senior School Admissions process as required

Support the existing processes for classroom observations

Other duties are assigned based on the candidate's skills, abilities and interests

Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience :

Essential

B.C. Ministry of Education Teaching Certificate or qualification criteria

A passion for girls’ education and a deep understanding of the learning and wellbeing needs of adolescent girls based on research and best practice

A track record of excellent classroom practice which is both evidence-based and research-informed

Experience in a school leadership role or evidence of related leadership experience

Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

A collaborative and open approach with a passion for the profession of teaching

A deep understanding of the intercultural competencies required in a diverse community

Experience in building positive working relationships with administration, teachers, parents, administrative staff, and community partners

Experience and evidence of success in the promotion and implementation of new initiatives related to student well-being, socio-emotional learning, and safeguarding

A thorough understanding of effective models of professional learning grounded in research and best practice

A proven commitment to continued professional learning and development along with the ability to motivate and support professional growth in teachers

Demonstrated ability to be innovative, flexible, and reflective

A deep understanding of successful change processes

Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail

Energy and readiness to participate in the diverse life of the school community

Desirable

Experience in an independent school

Experience leading teachers in professional learning, including experience in SEL, Leadership Coaching and Restorative Practices

Safeguarding qualifications and training

Understanding of the culture and context of an Independent All-Girls School

Experience of the BC curriculum