James Witcombe
Bellevue Hill,Australia
Summary
Highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a robust work ethic and a proven track record of achieving goals. I am perseverant and creative in my approach to problem solving. Expertise in developing and maintaining documentation systems, data tracking and effective communication. Experienced in academic, pastoral, boarding and sporting areas of school life. Results-driven with a commitment to building focused, high-achieving teams through goal-oriented processes and mentorship. I like to adopt a distributed leadership approach dedicated to fostering a collaborative, engaged and empowering work culture. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Boarding Housemaster
The Scots College
01.2021 - Current
- Commitment to the development of 'best practice' strategies in all aspects of College operations, especially those related to the delivery of education and care to boarders.
- Supporting all aspects of the life of the College
- Taking a T - 12 perspective in decision making
- Supporting and implementing the whole-College model of Christian leadership
- Recognising the value and uniqueness of each individual within the College community
- Demonstrating a commitment to my further learning
- Infusing the Christian ethos into programmes and practices throughout the College
- Modelling critical analysis and problem-solving skills
- Use of student voice to inform changes to structure and routines
- Regularly attended Boarding Expos and met prospective/existing parents
- Undertaking house improvement projects to build and improve on house spirit and develop mateship culture
- Introduction of academic support workshops.
Year 11 & 12 Coordinator
The Scots College
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Work in collaboration (with tutors, parents, students and senior staff) to lead the development of an age-appropriate program of student tracking, performance monitoring and engagement
- Organisation of additional academic support and associated roster of teachers
- Introduction of subject specific drop in clinics
- Organisation of Parent/Teacher meetings on Zoom and use of Edval to schedule meetings
- Take an active involvement in the leadership and management of 22 tutors
- Working closely with Heads of Faculty to help coordinate assessment tasks for the Year 11 & 12 students
- Collaboration with Housemasters regarding pastoral matters
- Meet regularly with year group tutors to monitor all students in the year group
- Evaluation and writing of the Tutor program
- Undertake data analysis of student results and performance in the year group
- Developed and implement systems to engage students and parents in career guidance conversations and tracking
- Monitor student connectedness to the learning environment (Underperforming and students at risk)
- Organise and manage parent and student study skills evenings and other information evenings as they arise in the year group program
- Organise external speakers to speak to year group on mental health and emotional intelligence
- Regular communications with parents to keep them updated on school matters.
Physics Teacher
The Scots College
- Taught the appropriate curriculum through the whole range of school (Yr 7-12)
- Predominantly Physics to Year 11 and 12 students in the past four years
- Implementing and teaching IGCSE Coordinated Science Course
- Lead teacher on introduction of IGCSE Combined Science to Scots.
Rugby Coach
The Scots College
- U16 (2019-20) and Head coach of 2nd XV 2021-2024
- GPS 2nd XV Premiers 2022.
Housemaster
Cranleigh School
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Senior Housemaster - supporting and leading the team of Housemasters
- Leading and managing a residential house of 101 boys (79 boarders, 22 day boys) and a house staff team of 20
- Responsibility for the management, development and evaluation of the house-based tutoring system
- Use of academic and pastoral tracking (Midyis and AS Tracking) and using that to inform conversations with students and parents
- Development of 13-18 boarding strategy at Cranleigh leading to new initiatives and strategic change in boarding
- Member of review committee reviewing the tutoring and pastoral systems at Cranleigh
- Appraisal and performance review of tutors and support staff within house
- A member of the HMC; the main decision making and policy forming body in the school which consists of HsM's and SLT
- Developing and implementing whole school policies on shape of the day, use of mobile technology, pastoral reporting, 6th form tutoring, pastoral AS tracking, tutor mentoring
- Cranleigh School Admissions Working Party (2014-2015) - evaluating the current admissions process and that of other schools and proposing strategic change
- Curriculum Extension Strategic Review Committee (2013-2014) - evaluating the academic extension provision in the school and proposing strategic change
- Head of Physics Department (2010 - 2013)
- Academic leadership of a large department and managing six colleagues
- Successfully implemented new schemes of work across teaching range of the school and increased number of pupils taking A Level Physics
- Use of academic tracking data to inform teaching practices and implement target setting with students
- Oxbridge interview preparation - preparing students for Oxbridge interviews in Sciences and Engineering
- Head of Rugby (2008 - 2011)
- Organisation and delivery of whole school Rugby programme
- Organising and leading two tours to Australia (three weeks) and Canada (two weeks) with some 50 pupils and staff
- 1st XV and U16A Rugby coach (2007-2018).
Education
Masters of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership -
University of Buckingham
03.2018
Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Secondary Science -
Loughborough University
01.2003
BSc (Hons) Physics and Management -
Loughborough University
01.2002
Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Creative approach to challenges
- Experienced in discipline, safeguarding, and welfare procedures
- Diplomacy and empathy
- Excellent organisation
- Whole school experience of leading both pastoral and academic teams
- Relationship Building
- Work Planning and Prioritisation
- Schedule Coordination
- Faculty Collaboration and Support
- Team Management
Accomplishments
- Scots: Currently coaching Gold Squad at Scots (1st and 2nd XV). Head coach of 2nd XV 2022-2024
- Cranleigh: Coached Rugby Sevens team to back to back HSBC National titles and played at Twickenham as part of the HSBC World Sevens Series (2016 & 2017)
- Loughborough University: Represented 1st XV in BUCS competition
Personal Information
- Married to wife Jo. Father to three boys: Sammy (5), Jack (8) and Ethan (11)
- Date of Birth: 05/10/79 (Age: 45)
- Nationality: British (Welsh) (Permanent Resident of Australia)
Certification
- Harvard Business School Online CSML: Leading Learning (completed March 2023)
- Harvard Business School Online CSML: Leading Change (completed November 2022)
- Harvard Business School Online CSML: Strategy and Innovation (completed July 2022)
- Harvard Business School Online CSML: Leading People (completed March 2022)
- Foundation Module 1: Multi Agency Safeguarding Children Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)
- Udemy Online Courses: The Complete Google Sheets: Beginner to Advanced & Google Sheets: Complete Masterclass
- Foundation Module 1: Multi Agency Safeguarding Children Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)
- Up to date First Aid and CPR
References
- Dr Ian Lambert, Principal, principal@scots.college, 0293917661
- Mr Graham Pattison, Head of Senior School, g.pattison@scots.college, 0481987581
- Mr Justin McInnes, Director of Boarding, j.mcinnes@scots.college, 0424417514
- Mr Ed White, Head of Rugby, e.white@scots.college, 0412490552
- Mr Ed Brennac, Personal Reference, ed.brenac@winning.com.au, 0416053338
Timeline
Boarding Housemaster
The Scots College
01.2021 - Current
Year 11 & 12 Coordinator
The Scots College
01.2019 - 12.2021
Housemaster
Cranleigh School
01.2013 - 01.2018
Physics Teacher
The Scots College
Rugby Coach
The Scots College
Masters of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership -
University of Buckingham
Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Secondary Science -
Loughborough University
BSc (Hons) Physics and Management -
Loughborough University
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