Position Vacant: Acting Head of Visual Arts

Head of Department

The Head of Department is a leadership position within the School. It encompasses administrative tasks related to the running of the department; the monitoring of student progress and achievement; the support of staff; the planning and implementation of curriculum, including assessment and reporting; strategic planning for short, medium and long term school and departmental goals. The Head of Department leads in the formation and articulation of the philosophy and methodologies of the subject, promotes its value and inspires in others a vision of, and passion for, its teaching and learning. The Head of Department reports directly to the Dean of Studies.

Professional Engagement

Having Vision

• prepare and promote department goals which link to school goals
• establish links with networks, tertiary institutions, industry, professions and the wider
• community
• Professional Development of staff within the Department by provision of professional resources e.g. distribution of journal articles, membership to professional organisations, membership of internal and external committees, provision of internal PD to stimulate best practice and dynamic delivery of courses, oversee performance evaluation procedures
• promotion of the subject and the School to the wider community

Curriculum

Planning

• planning of sequential courses and cyclical evaluation, overseeing the development of current documentation,
• liaising with the Dean of Studies.

Teaching and Learning

• integrate courses with the school teaching and learning approaches and programs,
• ensure consistency of delivery, methodologies and standards within year levels,
• implement new teaching and learning strategies to enhance delivery of the subject,
• liaise with the IT Department and SIRC to develop on-line teaching materials and the sequential development of IT and research skills to enhance teaching and learning.

Assessment and Reporting

• ensure appropriateness and consistency within year levels of assessment tasks and criteria for assessment,
• ensure that a range of thinking skills are used in the assessment process,
• organise moderation of results within year levels.
• monitor the implementation of assessment and reporting theory into practice,
• develop report templates and workshop appropriate report content.

Administration and Management

• chair Department meetings and ensure weekly year level meetings within the Department,
• manage, maintain and update resources (including booklists, facilities and budgets),
• develop policies and procedures specific to the department,
• coordinate excursions across year levels,
• establish consistent record keeping of student progress,
• prepare and run subject information sessions at subject selection time,
• liaise with VCE Coordinator re VCE Units 1-4 SAC planning and timetable,
• coordinate practice examination needs,
• ensure that OH&S guidelines are met.

Staff

Mentor all staff to determine professional development needs, subject methodology, competence and confidence in their teaching, provide support for staff with student management strategies, liaise with the Deputy Principal regarding staffing.

Students

Monitor student progress, support students with individual and special needs for all classes, organise tutorials when needed, liaise with Dean of Students re student progress, liaise with Careers Advisor re student subject advice, liaise with parents when appropriate regarding student progress, ensure appropriateness of criteria and comments on reports.

Applications to the Principal, including the names and contact details of three referees, should be sent to:

Tel: 8779 7500
Or email: employment@strathcona.vic.edu.au

Closing date:

Wednesday, 4 November 2009 at 4pm.