Job Title: Principal

Job Type: 3-year term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time

Reports to: Board of Directors

Application Deadline: January 2, 2024

Proposed start date: July 2, 2024 (negotiable with successful candidate)

Cornerstone Christian High School is a new Christian high school opening in September 2024. Cornerstone will be offering Grades 9 and 10 in its first year of operation and add Grades 11 and 12 in its second and third years. The school is located in Hagersville, Ontario and serves families in Haldimand, Norfolk, and Brant counties. Cornerstone will be operating out of Highway Pentecostal Church, a beautiful facility that is conveniently located central to Haldimand and Norfolk. The building offers many opportunities and an abundance of green space. Cornerstone Christian High School is committed to the faith development and discipleship of each individual who walks through the doors. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7.Cornerstone Christian High School is rooted in the Protestant Reformed faith. “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.” Isaiah 28:16. Cornerstone Christian High School aims to develop each student’s gifts for future academic and vocational success as well as prepare them to become disciples and kingdom builders within their community.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Board, the principal provides spiritual, academic, staff, and operational leadership of Cornerstone Christian High School while maintaining a teaching load (up to 50%). The principal provides a unique leadership service to the Board, the school staff and the community. The Principal is expected to embody the pursuit of the vision and mission of the school while managing the school’s resources. The Principal has board-delegated authority and responsibility in the oversight of the operations of the school and its reputation and advancement in the supporting community. 

Accountabilities:

Spiritual leadership

• Demonstrates daily a personal lifestyle that is kept within the Board’s lifestyle policy
• Articulates a worldview aligned with the theological/Biblical Reformed foundations of the school
• Establishes and maintains a Christian culture in the school
• Provide spiritual leadership to the staff, students, and the community through modelling, mentoring, and prayer 
• Ensure that the Mission, Vision and Values are consistently reinforced and exemplified by their actions and the actions of staff

Academic leadership

• Applies their knowledge and experience to ensure Cornerstone continues to provide excellent education to students of all ability levels using current practices and pedagogy 
• Researches changes in education trends and assesses emerging relevant educational technology, exploring opportunities to improve Cornerstone’s programs 
• Demonstrates a passion that encourages all students, regardless of their abilities, to flourish as learners 
• Maintain educational standards for all courses of study
• Develop, implement, and monitor in concert with the relevant staff, all Ministry and school programs and services, including Ministry inspection
• Provide vision and direction for the professional development of teachers through in-service, facilitated leadership, and support in all school activities
• Ensure that applicable Ministry of Education policies are implemented as appropriate

Staff leadership

• Manages administrative and teaching staff
• Recruits, selects, supervises, disciplines, and terminates staff in consultation with the Board
• Conducts performance reviews and works with staff to identify developmental goals. 
• Trains and supports the skill development of staff to ensure full understanding of roles and responsibilities in delivering the academic program and successful implementation of the strategic plan
• Exercises skills in managing people and providing them with a productive and positive team-oriented work environment. Ensures that resources are utilized optimally, through effective processes, task delegation, coordination and collaborative communication with staff
• Leads regular team meetings and is available for consultation with all staff
• With the support of the Board, review employment standards, policy documents and ethical practice
• With the support of the Board, develop, maintain, and uphold the contracts and schedules in place with the staff members
• Lead crisis management efforts including consulting legal counsel, HR consultants, mediators, counsellors, etc.

Operations leadership

• Provide overall administrative oversight of all school functions. Lead and promote Cornerstone’s recruitment, admission, and retention efforts
• Ensures that the school adheres to or exceeds all legal and regulatory compliance requirements including health and safety standards 
• Organizes and delegates day-to-day operations of the school 
• Provides regular updates to the Board about school operations and presents any proposed changes to the Board for approval including developing an annual budget and long-term financial report
• Plan and manage the financial health of the school

Teaching

• Maintain the Standards of Practice and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession as outlined by the Ontario College of Teachers
• To teach diligently and faithfully the school’s course(s) of study
• To test students regularly for academic achievement and diagnosis, and administer standardized tests as necessary
• To complete administrative records as required
• To participate and/or conduct normally scheduled Parent-Teacher interviews
• To be ready and willing to discuss, as needed, the child’s progress with the parents, using adequate records of achievement
• To use methods appropriate for different learning styles
• To foster a wholesome class atmosphere to guide in the maturation and development of the whole student, so that they may grow in awareness of their purpose and identity as a child of God
• To establish good classroom management
• To administer and keep a record of restorative discipline in harmony with the school’s policies
• To create an environment conducive to learning
• To cooperate with colleagues in a unified approach to maintain orderly student behaviour in the building, on the school grounds and the school buses. This applies to the entire school day and all school activities
• To remain up-to-date on current educational research and professional issues
• To work to ensure that individual needs are met. For example, the individualized education plan (IEP)

Qualifications

• Commitment to the school’s mission, vision, and values
• Undergraduate degree
• Bachelor of Education
• Master’s degree is considered an asset
• Is certified with and in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT)
• At least three years of teaching experience
• Effective leadership and managerial skills with a minimum of two years of demonstrated experience in leading and supervising a team, preferably in a secondary school environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage crucial conversations and negotiate complex situations in constantly evolving situations.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize knowledge and display sound judgment, problem-solving skills, attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy 
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in programming and teaching for secondary school education 
• Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally (both orally and in writing)  
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment 
• Must demonstrate superior organizational skills, and a proven ability to multi-task and work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines.
• Must demonstrate flexibility, sensitivity, creativity and commitment to work
• Demonstrated computer skills, e.g. Word Processing, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, email, and data management systems

Application

If you are interested in this exciting and challenging opportunity, we invite you to submit the following documents to info@cornerstonechristianhs.ca : 

• Resume and cover letter 
• Statement of your philosophy of Christian education 
• Statement of personal faith 

Upon selection for an interview, we will require: 

• A pastoral reference letter from the church you attend
• Three references (2 professional & 1 personal) 
• Vulnerable sector screening