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Director of Student Support Services
Branksome Hall Asia (Korea)

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Overview

Branksome Hall Asia is dedicated to promoting values of innovative thinking, global social awareness, and self-sufficiency, helping students push the limits of what they can achieve. A sister school of the renowned Branksome Hall in Toronto, Canada, Branksome Hall Asia empowers over 1200 students in grades JK-12 to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Branksome Hall Asia, opened in 2012 on Jeju Island, South Korea, builds upon the strong, established traditions of Branksome Hall Canada, founded in 1903, and its exemplary reputation for a liberal arts curriculum and approach to education that prepares students to be lifelong learners and leaders.

Situated on a remarkable modern campus, Branksome Hall Asia enrolls both boarding and day students who follow the full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum JK-12 and have the opportunity to experience a wide range of programs in the arts, athletics, technology, and community service. The strength of the IB program, combined with the school’s commitment to empowering students, makes Branksome Hall Asia a truly remarkable place to live, learn and work. As a testament to its excellence, Branksome Hall Asia was awarded the highest honor presented by the ISC Research International School Awards receiving the distinction of International School of the Year Award for 2021.

MISSION

Each day, we challenge and inspire students to love learning and to shape a better world.

VISION

To be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learners and leaders.

CORE VALUES

Care, Collaboration, Excellence

 

The School

Situated on the beautiful island of Jeju, South Korea (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Branksome Hall Asia, offers the same exemplary educational program as its sister school. Recognized as one of the world’s top 10 girls boarding schools, Branksome Hall Toronto offers students an academically excellent program in tandem with unmatched commitments to global engagement and well-being. At Branksome, students are taught the skills they need to thrive in our changing world, learning how to find their own strong voices and developing as lifelong learners.

Branksome Hall Asia, Jeju’s only fully IB international school, offers this same exemplary educational program led by highly qualified and committed teachers recruited from around the world. Students learn and live together in a state-of-the-art, world-class facility that embodies and encourages the values of intellectual inquiry, collaboration, effective communication, and strength of character.

Both Branksome Hall in Toronto and Branksome Hall Asia share an educational philosophy based on leadership through service. Students develop the intellectual capacity and courage to lead, while cultivating a sense of empathy and understanding for others. Each fall the entire Grade 9 class from Branksome Hall Asia embarks on a three-week learning experience to its sister school, which enables all students to live and learn with their peers in Toronto. Teacher professional development and exchanges are also important elements of this global study abroad program.

 

Academics

The benefits of a Branksome Hall Asia education begin in our co-educational Junior School with the IB Primary Years Program. In this division, faculty implement an international curriculum framework and are dedicated to ensuring the best possible development of each child’s total well-being. Teachers focus on creating an environment that is both academically rigorous and emotionally supportive. Through an inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching, students gain international perspectives, benefit from technology-supported instruction, and focus on their physical and emotional as well as academic and intellectual development. All courses are taught in English, with additional language studies in Korean or Chinese.

Middle School students at Branksome Hall Asia are inspired to think reflectively as they explore a growing sense of confidence and independence, while developing critical skills as globally-minded learners and leaders. Students follow the IB Middle Years Program, which prepares them for the challenges of the Diploma Program in the Senior School. Through this program, students develop effective communication skills, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. They explore and reflect upon the complexities of the world through an interconnected program that offers expansive co-curricular and study abroad options. At this level, the program also offers robust pastoral and counseling resources. As students progress through the Middle School, they grow in confidence and independence to be curious, creative, and ethical students.

This academic year witnessed a significant milestone as we welcomed male students in Grades 6 and 7 onto campus for the first time. We are enthusiastic about the gradual expansion of boys' enrollment in the upcoming years, following our plan to introduce one additional boys' grade each year.

The Senior School is currently an all-girls school and provides one of the strongest western-style college preparatory programs in Korea. In this division, the focus is on students becoming confident, capable women who are inspired to meet life’s challenges with intelligence, sensitivity, and courage. Three facets of the Senior School differentiate it from its peers: the IB advantage, a keen focus on empowering women, and the residential program. Students also meet in multi-grade council groups to reinforce relationships, promote the leadership of older students, and provide a source of peer support throughout the middle and upper school journey of each student.

The IB Diploma Program, recognized for its excellence by colleges and universities worldwide, offers a coherent program including English, a second language, social sciences, science, math, and the arts. Technology is integrated into all areas of the curriculum and, at Branksome Hall Asia, Korean, social studies, and history are also taught in all programs. Students are encouraged to identify and pursue their passions, and they can select from a variety of elective offerings, including digital design, drama, business, psychology, and Chinese, among many others. The environment at the Senior School—and throughout Branksome Hall Asia—reinforces the development of self esteem in young students, encouraging growth of analytical skills and teamwork, inspiring students toward self-confidence, promoting STEM subjects, and celebrating diversity. Students also have some voice in their learning, helping to create robust after school program offerings.

With the inclusion of boys in the Middle School and eventually into the Senior School, we will be implementing the "diamond model" system. Under this framework, the Junior School (Grades JK Prep to 5) will remain co-educational, the Middle School (Grades 6 - 9) will adopt a single-sex education approach, and the Senior School (Grades 10 - 12) will return to a co-educational format.

 

Student Life

Branksome Hall Asia celebrates the enthusiasm of the faculty, parents, and students whose contributions make Branksome Hall Asia a remarkable place of learning and living. Both day and boarding students enjoy a warm, welcoming community and lively campus with opportunities to explore, grow, and make new friends.

The school’s innovative co-curricular program, CASE (Community, Action, Service, and Enrichment Activities), provides myriad opportunities to explore areas of interest in the arts, athletics, community service, and other enrichment clubs and activities. Students may participate in such artistic endeavors as ballet, Korean calligraphy, digital storytelling, symphony orchestra, and much more. They develop athletic and sportsmanship skills via a host of team sports, including badminton, volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, golf, swimming, cross country, track and field, and equestrian. Students develop leadership skills and become actively engaged citizens with a global outlook through various experiential service opportunities. They develop and pursue their passions and interests through clubs such as yearbook, public speaking, Environmental Protections, Red Cross Youth, and creative writing, among many others.

As boarding students, each student gains a new family when he or she arrives at the school. Branksome Hall Asia’s purpose-built residence is designed to enable students from around the world to live together and thrive. The program provides opportunities for students to build self-efficacy, and a strong sense of family and community are paramount. Support and guidance from Teacher Dons create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment for students to develop and strengthen leadership skills. There is a high expectation of personal responsibility, and students and faculty alike value internationalism. A high percentage of students are Korean, with approximately 15% coming from China or from expat families of other nationalities.

The Campus

Our Facilities

The School’s award-winning campus is surrounded by natural beauty and culture. The intentional design of the campus embodies the school’s ethos and provides a landscape for learning where the environment reflects the integration of structure and landscape. The school’s facilities include an Olympic-sized pool and ice rink, fitness center, tennis courts, golf green, and fields. Eight fully outfitted science labs and 4 spacious art studios are housed in the STEM-V Center with design studios and adjacent breakout spaces. The state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center includes a 370-seat theater, spacious studios, practice rooms, TV and recording studios, and a Black Box theater.

Jeju Island

One of the nine provinces of South Korea, Jeju Island is known for its natural beauty and miles of seashore. A popular vacation destination, the island welcomes over 10 million visitors annually. Much of the island is a designated national park, and attracts many looking to explore its natural attractions and hike its dormant volcano. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the 700 square miles of island features extensive hiking and riding trails, as well as “the finest lava tube system of caves anywhere.” 

The island is a unique and beautiful place to work and live. At once rural and somewhat remote, Jeju is a 50-minute flight from Seoul and other major Asian cities. The air route from Seoul to Jeju is the most frequently traveled domestic route, bringing many visitors and a busy island economy for its half-million residents. Branksome Hall Asia’s modern campus blends technology with appreciation for nature, celebrating both tradition and innovation on Jeju Island.

The Position

Title: Director of Student Support Services

Reports to: Deputy Head of School

Functional relationships: Junior School Principal, Middle School Principal, Senior School Principal, Director of Teaching & Learning, IB Coordinators, Heads of Department, and Teachers, as well as forming an important part of the School Student Support Team. The successful candidate will provide academic intervention support services to students, assess students, provide case management, implement data collection protocols (NWEA/MAP, WIDA, etc), monitor student progress, and make referrals.

 

Length of Initial Term:  2-year initial contract

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Deputy Head of School and in collaboration with the School Principals, Director of Teaching and Learning, and IB Coordinators, the Director of Student Support Services is responsible for overseeing and managing a range of student support services and programs that address the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. The Director collaborates with school administrators, educators, and external stakeholders to ensure the holistic well-being of students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Management:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive student support programs to enhance the overall well-being and academic success of students.
• Oversee the budget and resources allocated to student support services and ensure efficient utilization.

Team Leadership:

• Recruit, mentor, and supervise a team of dedicated professionals, including counselors, learning support, and EAL specialists.
• Foster a positive work environment, provide ongoing professional development, and promote collaboration within the department.

Student Assessment and Intervention:

• Develop and implement a system for identifying at-risk students and conducting assessments of their needs.
• Establish systems which maximize resources to support student learning.
• Oversee intervention strategies and support plans, collaborating with educators, parents, and external agencies when necessary.

Counseling and Guidance Services:

• Oversee counseling services to address students' academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Ensure that counseling services are accessible to all students and that they receive appropriate guidance.   

Child Protection:

•  Develop and implement crisis response and intervention protocols to address emergency situations and support students during challenging times.
• Act as member of Child Safeguarding Team

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data on student support programs and services to assess their effectiveness and make data-driven decisions.
• Prepare and present reports on student support services to school administrators and board members.

Collaboration:

•  Collaborate with educators, parents, community organizations, and external agencies to provide comprehensive support to students.
• Act as a liaison between the school and external support resources.

Policy Development:

• Revise and update the school’s inclusion policy and support handbooks in line with current research and best practices.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.

Parent and Community Engagement:

• Foster positive relationships with parents and the community, ensuring open communication and collaboration to support students.

 

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Collaborate with school faculty to develop academic intervention strategies for students and develop individualized service plans  where needed to support academic growth
• Provide testing for students nominated through the referral protocols
• Consult/collaborate with teachers on crafting classroom instruction, assessments, and projects to accommodate different learning needs
• Provide resources for teachers in the promotion of executive functioning skills in the classroom
• Effectively implement accommodations, differentiation, and strategies to aid individual learners, as well as guiding faculty on using these supports
• Deliver instruction in skills and strategy development for struggling students with documented learning differences
• Serve as an additional teacher in classrooms (push-in) to support academic skill development in core academic subjects (math, language arts, social studies, and science)
• Initiate and foster collaborative professional relationships with teachers in an effort to support student learning
• Through observation, referrals and faculty requests, support the collection of data pertaining to wider student academic support needs, and share those observations with the grade level teams and administration; provide suggestions to address those needs
• Maintain necessary records and reports, ensuring confidentiality of students and their families
• Develop and lead periodic topic-specific group sessions or review sessions before school, after school, and/or during lunch as needed
• Support faculty to develop and implement effective teaching and behaviour management approaches in the classroom
• Organize and lead annual review and planning meetings with parents for students receiving academic support
• Provide regular updates on pupil progress through written reports with parents
• Communicate effectively with parents and faculty about progress and supports in place
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of all students receiving special provisions, adaptations of curriculum or physical support, and provide evidence as required to support additional accommodations requests on assessment
• Proctor/invigilate assessments for students with accommodations as needed
• Make referrals and liaise with professionals outside of the school, such as educational/clinical psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of current best practice in Learning Support

 

Experience and Qualifications

The Director of Student Support Services will have proven school leadership experience, and be able to lead a globally-minded school.

 

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• A degree in a field related to academic support and interventions (Masters in Educational Psychology preferred)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in student academic support
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with interventions, strategies and academic evaluation/assessment tools
• Excellent team-working skills
• Familiarity with the interpretation of group standardized tests and psychoeducational evaluation reports
• Self-direction and initiative-taking

 

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• Familiarity with the IB curriculum
• Skilled at administering and interpreting a wide variety of appropriate school diagnostic inventories and tests.
• Trained in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports)
• Experience supporting English Language Learners
• Experience in an international or private school setting

In addition to the above qualifications and experience, we are seeking a leader that is HUMBLE, GRACIOUS AND KIND.

 

Compensation

Compensation for this position will be commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and is competitive globally. Benefits include furnished housing, annual travel, and health care.

 

 

 

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit ONE electronic .pdf file to recruitment@branksome.asia, by November 30, 2023 with the following materials included:

• Formal cover letter for the position, no longer than 1 page
• Current resume
• Statement of educational and leadership philosophy, no longer than 1 page
• List of 3-5 references with name, title, phone number and email address

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Branksome Hall Asia reserves the right to close the selection process at any time.

School Address and Contact Information

Branksome Hall Asia

234 Global Edu-ro

Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City

Jeju, Korea, 63644

Telephone: +82.64.902.5000

Fax: +82.64.902.5481

 Web: branksome.asia

 Email: recruitment@branksome.asia