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Senior School Principal
Glenlyon Norfolk School is seeking an accomplished, inspiring Senior School Principal who will work to build upon GNS’ reputation for being at the forefront of twenty-first-century education.
About Glenlyon Norfolk School
Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) is a co-educational independent school in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. For more than a century, GNS has offered students from throughout Victoria and around the world a unique approach to education that promotes critical thinking, inquiry-based learning and the development of intellect and empathy. With 150 dedicated faculty and staff and a broad program of academics, athletics, fine arts and service, GNS’s three IB programs (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma) are distinct but fully integrated, with each of the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools led by its own Principal.
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Happy Senior School students
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At GNS, our 800 students are given the opportunity to differentiate themselves in many ways. Every student is recognized and supported as a unique individual. Each is responsible for their own actions and is challenged to continually embrace the core values of the school, which are designed to allow students to be the best they can be in every area of the school, and in life. These values include truth, courage, caring, individuality and community.
GNS is located on two campuses set approximately three kilometres apart in quiet, established, and desirable neighbourhoods. The Senior School is part of the Pemberton Woods campus, nestled in an established residential Victoria neighbourhood. In recent years Pemberton Woods has benefited from several capital enhancements, including an all-weather turf field, Denford Hall (a state-of-the-art theatre), a new fitness centre, and extensive upgrades to the gymnasium, music and choir centre, learning commons, and dining facilities. We are also developing a long-term Pemberton Woods campus renewal plan to ensure our facilities keep pace with the needs of our students.
The Opportunity
Glenlyon Norfolk School is seeking an accomplished, inspiring Senior School Principal who will work to build upon GNS’ reputation for being at the forefront of twenty-first-century education. The Principal will lead a committed, accomplished team of educators and support their delivery of GNS’ uniquely designed academic program consisting of BC Provincial courses and the IB Middle Years (Grades 9 to 10) and Diploma Programmes (Grades 11 to 12), helping to ensure that each of the Senior School’s 330+ students and their families feel supported as they navigate the program’s challenges and learning opportunities.
The capacity to create and sustain meaningful relationships will be key to the Senior School Principal’s success. They will rely upon their ability to create an environment of trust and empowerment for their colleagues, and depend on sound, fair judgment and impartiality in their decision-making processes. The Principal will seek out new opportunities for educators to develop their individual and collective abilities, and will work in tandem with the Head of School, Deputy Head of School, Academics, and the Junior and Middle School Principals to ensure faculty and staff are empowered to live the school’s motto, always striving to do their best through truth and courage.
The Principal will recognize and understand the unique dynamics and demands of Senior School education. They will leverage their ability to build authentic connections with students and their families, recognizing the significance that effective home-school partnerships have in creating positive learning outcomes. They will also play an important role in GNS’ enrolment and admissions processes, and will provide representation and offer leadership at school events and celebrations.
Creating and maintaining an environment that promotes safe and responsible use of technology, both inside and outside of the classroom, will be one of the Principal’s key priorities. They will recognize the myriad of ways technology can enhance student learning, but will also be keenly aware of the downsides of too broad an embrace. Accordingly, they will work with colleagues, parents and students to develop an approach to technology that is adaptable and responsive to changes in educational best practices.
As a key member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, the Senior School Principal will play a role in both short- and long-term planning, helping deliver on the next GNS strategic plan and working closely with the Deputy Head, Academics, in setting and achieving goals that will allow the Senior School to flourish for years to come. The Principal will also work with the Senior School’s active and engaged parent community to ensure that they too feel supported and heard. Ultimately, the Principal will be the architect of an approach to education that maintains the Senior School’s position as a truly first-class place to teach and learn.
Candidate Qualifications
We are seeking an exceptional leader to build upon the success already enjoyed at the Senior School, and to lead in efforts to continue its evolution. Above all else, the new Principal will be the moral compass of the Senior School, setting the tone, holding community members accountable, and clearly articulating and modelling the values that have made this school the exceptional community that it is.
The Search Committee recognizes the challenge and complexity of the position, and that no one individual will have all of these skills and attributes in equal measure; however, the following background, experience, and personal qualities will be sought in candidates:
List of 5 items.
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Leadership and Vision
- Outstanding leadership qualities, including: the ability to see the big picture at all times; the skills to promote GNS’ educational vision and strategic plan; and the capacity to inspire our community in its pursuit of the plan’s goals.
- The ability to identify trends and anticipate developments in the rapidly changing educational landscape, and to work collaboratively with the leadership team to stay “ahead of the curve.”
- A commitment to maintain the school’s reputation for excellence and celebrate its rich traditions and unique culture while also ensuring its continued growth and evolution at the forefront of education.
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Management Skills
- An inclusive but decisive management style, and the desire and ability to both mentor and empower others.
- Experience working with a diverse team of administrators and teachers while ensuring academic and operational excellence in a constantly changing environment.
- Excellent organizational skills to ensure that the policies, systems, and procedures of the school are strong and robust, and that the educational standards established by the Ministry of Education, IBO and CAIS—agencies that examine and accredit the school—are strictly adhered to.
- A business acumen that allows the school’s resources—both financial and human—to be used to greatest effect in the student experience.
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Educational Leadership
- An excellent teacher with a track record of attracting and retaining exceptional educators.
- A proven ability to then mentor and develop teachers to their fullest potential through robust professional development and by encouraging innovation in both teaching and learning.
- A strong academic background that includes a blend of teaching, administrative, and management experience gained in an educational institution. Strong knowledge of the IB is preferred.
- A deep understanding of, and continual curiosity about, trends in education, information technology, and the particular challenges and opportunities in educating young people at all grade levels.
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Commitment to the GNS Community
- A demonstrated commitment to educating the “whole child,” and a deep and genuine affection for young people.
- A deep appreciation for the importance of community, the value of diversity and inclusion, the development of students as global citizens, and the desire to embrace the unique traditions, philosophy, and values of Glenlyon Norfolk School.
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Personal Qualities
- An approach that connects easily with others, balances firmness and fairness in problem resolution, and demonstrates an active interest in students’ development as individuals within our community.
- Warmth, approachability, authenticity, unassailable integrity, and the capacity to engender respect and loyalty from all in the GNS family.
- A courageous innovator with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- A strategic thinker with a passion for seeing creative ideas come to life.
- A savvy ability to use technology as a means to inspire creativity in teaching and learning.
- An excellent listener, with superior public-speaking and communications skills.
- A high level of personal strength, stamina and energy.
- A fun-loving nature, a good sense of humour and an eagerness to engage in all aspects of school life.
Application
Glenlyon Norfolk School offers a comprehensive total compensation package and the opportunity to work with an exceptional community of professionals. We encourage qualified candidates to submit a resume and cover letter by December 31, 2022, through this application link.
Interviews will commence in mid-January. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Glenlyon Norfolk School will only use and retain personal information for the purpose for which it was collected. Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
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Senior School classroom
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Glenlyon Norfolk School
Junior School (JK to Grade 5)
Middle (Grade 6 to 8) and Senior (Grade 9 to 12) Schools
We wish to acknowledge and respect the Lekwungen-Speaking Peoples on whose traditional territory we stand, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and Wsáneć Peoples whose historical relationships with the land, where we live, work, play and learn, continue to this day.
