Sara Clarke
Mount Colah,NSW
Summary
As the K-2 Coordinator at The King’s School, I lead curriculum development, staff professional growth, resource budgeting, and student well-being and academic success. My role ensures smooth daily operations and involves collaboration with other Stage Coordinators, staff, and leadership, including the Deputy Head of Academics and the Headmaster of the Preparatory School.
Committed to excellence, I prioritise professional development and best-practice teaching, tailoring learning experiences to meet student needs. I stay current on educational trends and lead efforts in policy development, curriculum alignment, and the integration of cross-curricular teaching. My approach fosters student engagement, agency, and deep learning connections.
As a strong educational leader, I contribute to school reviews, curriculum implementation, and the development of school policies. I maintain high expectations for student behaviour and well-being, while promoting a supportive and inclusive environment. My dedication to collaboration and well-being, alongside a commitment to child safety and equal opportunity, underpins my leadership in education
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Kindergarten - Year 2 Coordinator
The King’s School Paramatta
01.2020 - Current
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, guardians, and colleagues through effective communication and collaboration, fostering a supportive learning environment for students.
- Served as a positive role model for both students and colleagues alike; demonstrated professionalism and dedication towards continuous improvement throughout my career.
- Promoted inclusive learning environments by adapting instructional strategies to meet the needs of all learners, including those with special needs or English language learners.
- Mentored new teachers within the school community by sharing best practices.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall academic achievement, including participation in professional development workshops and collaborating with colleagues.
- Continuously updated curriculum content to reflect current educational standards and best practices.
- Enhanced students'' critical thinking skills by implementing project-based learning activities and real-world examples into lessons.
- Managed school budget efficiently, allocating resources strategically to support educational goals and priorities.
- Collaborated with the Headmaster and Deputy Head of Academics to set annual goals and objectives, monitoring progress throughout the year.
- Promoted the school''s values and vision through active involvement in community events.
Acting Deputy Head of Academics
The King's School
08.2022 - 10.2022
- Served as a mentor for new teachers, providing guidance on classroom management strategies and instructional best practices.
- Managed budgets and allocated resources effectively to support educational initiatives.
- Oversaw curriculum development, ensuring alignment with NSW standards and promoting rigorous instruction across all subject areas.
- Organised professional development opportunities for staff members focused on emerging trends in education research and practice.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making practices to assess program effectiveness and drive improvements in academic outcomes.
- Assessed teacher performance through regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
Coordinator of Curriculum, Pastoral Care, Gifted and Talented, Religious Education and Acting Assistant Principal
Our Lady of the Rosary (Diocese of Broken Bay)
01.2003 - 01.2019
- Increased parent engagement by organising informative meetings, workshops, and events throughout the year.
- Collaborated with the Principal and assistant Principal to set annual goals and objectives, monitoring progress throughout the year.
- Ensured compliance by staying updated on current policies and procedures.
- Enhanced student performance through the development of comprehensive curriculum plans and assessment tools.
- Assessed instructional effectiveness regularly through classroom observations, providing constructive feedback to teachers for continuous improvement.
- Oversaw recruitment efforts to attract highly qualified faculty members committed to excellence in teaching and learning.
- Collaborated with staff to design professional development programs that enriched pedagogical understanding.
- Monitored student behaviour.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behaviour modification.
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
Classroom Teacher - Kindergarten and Year 1
Holy Family Catholic Primary School (Parramatta Diocese)
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies, ensuring all students were able to access the curriculum.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, promoting involvement in their child's education.
Education
Bachelor of Teaching -
Australian Catholic University
01.1998
Bachelor of Education -
Australian Catholic University
01.1999
Graduate Certificate in TESOL K-12 -
Australian Catholic University
01.2009
Master of Theology (Religious Education) -
University of Newcastle (Broken Bay Institute)
01.2015
Skills
- Undertaken leadership action research projects
- MSL (Multisensory Structured Language) trained
- Trained in the Primary Year Programme of the International Baccalaureate
- Understanding of the Zones of Regulation
- Technology platforms such as Canvas, Sharepoint, Seesaw and Google Drive
- Leading K-2 Literacy and Numeracy project to align with the NSW curriculum
- Teaching and Learning in Mathematics, Problem Solving and analysing MAI (Maths Interviews) data
- Teaching and Learning in English
- Professional development in conceptual understanding of Mathematics and moving from concrete to abstract thinking
- Mini Coge (professional development for educators to support high potential and gifted students)
- Positive Behaviour for Learning (Student Wellbeing)
- Building a Culture of Thinking with Ron Ritchhart
- ASD Professional Learning Community
- Observational Survey Training
Nesa
NESA#770452
References
- Mrs Jacinta Crowe, Principal, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Waitara, (02) 9489 7000
- Mrs Gill Austin, Principal, St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Berowra, (02) 9456 2104
- Mrs Lily Khoudair, Coordinator and colleague, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Waitara, 0412762828
- Mrs Emma Korth, Parent of previous student and colleague, St. Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Berowra, 0412172856
- Mrs Christie Smith, personal reference and English Faculty Co-Hod, The Kings School, North Paramatta, 0421187119
Hobbies and Interests
- Attend Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary and have facilitated and assisted with the Sacramental Programs
- Sport (I coached my sons’ basketball teams during their primary school years)
- Volunteering for our local football club
- World events and issues currently in society
- Equality in education (Indigenous students, low SES, EAL students and special needs)
- Social justice
Timeline
Acting Deputy Head of Academics
The King's School
08.2022 - 10.2022
Kindergarten - Year 2 Coordinator
The King’s School Paramatta
01.2020 - Current
Coordinator of Curriculum, Pastoral Care, Gifted and Talented, Religious Education and Acting Assistant Principal
Our Lady of the Rosary (Diocese of Broken Bay)
01.2003 - 01.2019
Classroom Teacher - Kindergarten and Year 1
Holy Family Catholic Primary School (Parramatta Diocese)
01.1999 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Teaching -
Australian Catholic University
Bachelor of Education -
Australian Catholic University
Graduate Certificate in TESOL K-12 -
Australian Catholic University
Master of Theology (Religious Education) -
University of Newcastle (Broken Bay Institute)
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