Head of Year 7

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Westminster is an Early Learning to Year 12, coeducational day and boarding, Uniting Church school
with a proud history and an exciting future. We commit to helping all students and staff achieve more
than they thought possible through an adventurous education, which takes place anytime our students
are challenged in their learning and when staff explore new opportunities to improve their profession.
Since opening in 1961, Westminster’s vibrant sense of community has shaped our welcoming, down-to
- earth character, enriched by School values of being brave, humble, kind, authentic, resilient and curious.

**Position name Head of Year 7**

**Area of School**Senior School

**Employment Status**Full time (1.0 FTE)

**Tenure**3 years in normal circumstances

**Time Allowance**0.4 of a full teaching load

**Employment Conditions**Westminster School Inc. Teaching Staff and School Assistants Enterprise Agreement 2024. Appropriate Band 2 allowance

**Key Relationships**
The Head of Year 7 is responsible to the Deputy Principal/Head of
Senior School and the Principal and works closely with the Head
of Year 8 and Year 7 Class teachers, students and parents.

**_Position Objective: _**
The Head of Year 7 is a key pastoral and administrative position within the School. In general, the
position is responsible for the transition of students into the Senior School and is charged with making
the year a productive, interesting and enjoyable one for all students. The position will assume
responsibility for the induction and orientation of all Year 7 students into the Senior School, as well as
the administration and Pastoral Care of Year 7 students generally. The position will involve teaching
principally in the Senior School and at Year 7 level.

**_Key Responsibilities: _**
**1. School leadership**
- Serve on Pastoral Committee**
- Monitor and improve the effectiveness of Year 7 programs, and approaches to pastoral care
and supporting individual student development in Year 7**:

- Monitor and improve effectiveness of transition processes for Westminster Preparatory School

students, new students to Westminster, and Year 7 students transitioning into the Senior
School House system.**
- Contribute to developing and achieving strategic School improvement priorities as a member

of the broader School leadership group.
- Model and promote behaviours and conduct expected of staff and students.
- Attend major School events to support and be involved in the lives of students.
**2. Year 7 structure, programs and events**
- Plan and organise orientation program and activities for all Year 7 students
- Contribute to development of Year 7 curriculum
- Provide input and expert advice on appropriate curriculum and pedagogical
matters for this level, attending Curriculum Committee meetings when Year 7
matters are under consideration
- Identify, plan and organise special Year 7 programs and activities that support the School’s

Aspiration, seeking required prior approvals e.g.
o Regular Year level meetings and combined Year 7 activities
- Activities which support student wellbeing organised with the Head of Wellbeing,

including relevant guest speakers and providers
- Development of an engaging end of year program
- Manage administrative aspects of the Year 7 structure and program including
- Year 7 homework timetable
- Year 7 class lists (based on advice from previous schools and Westminster
- Preparatory School)
- Liaise with Chaplain in relation to Year 7 Chapel services

**3. Year 7 student pastoral care and learning oversight/Student behaviour, welfare and**

**development**:

- Cultivate and demonstrate special care and interest in each student in Year 7
- Liaise with leaders and/or staff in Preparatory School and other feeder schools when

appropriate to foster understanding of specific needs of students new to the Senior School
e.g. to inform class placement, teaching strategies
- Use of pastoral profiling to help identify and monitor the progress of students at risk and

ensure that relevant teachers are kept informed of wellbeing concerns Ensure consistent
expectations in relation to School standards and discipline.
- Ensure that Year 7 students abide by School regulations and core expectations e.g. checking

uniforms regularly; promoting and monitoring correct, productive use of student diaries
- Deal with escalated matters referred by Year 7 Class Teachers.
- Manage Year 7 assessment and reporting procedures, in conjunction with Director of
- Learning
- Write pastoral comments for and proof all Year 7 reports
- Produce class lists for Year 8
- Brief House Heads on pastoral issues relating to individuals, peer support and transition at
- the end of Year 7.
- Provide direction, support and prepare students for the transition into Year 8.
- Alternate with the Head of Year 8 every second year, following the Year 7 cohort into Year 8.

**4. Staff leadership**
- Lead and develop the team of Year 7 Class Teachers