Director of Performing Arts and Music Westbourne Grammar School (VIC)

Westbourne Grammar School (Westbourne) is an independent, co-educational school from P-12 located in west Melbourne. The School, which today is home to approx. 1900 students across 2 campuses and boasts an enviable staff to student ratio of 1:5, has excelled in the provision of exceptional educational experiences for over 156 years.

Central to Westbourne’s strong moral purpose is the conviction that every child can succeed. This tenet is evident throughout school life, and foundational to the extensive offerings of innovative and highly regarded performing arts and music that have thrilled and inspired so many at Westbourne for so long.

After 25 exceptional years of service dedicated to elevating the role of performing arts in the school and inspiring generations of Westbourne students, Mr Andrew Leach’s tenure as a much loved and admired Director of Performing Arts and Music will end at the conclusion of Term 3, 2023.

The new Director of Performing Arts and Music will play a similarly crucial role in the Westbourne community fabric, with particular emphasis on actively contributing to the upcoming ambitious strategic development. This involves providing new, state-of-the-art infrastructure that promises to take the program to unprecedented heights.

The Director will co-design, develop, communicate, lead, evaluate and refine a comprehensive curricular and co-curricular Performing Arts and Music program that is truly transformational in value adding to each student’s potential. The successful candidate will connect and collaborate with an extensive number of stakeholders, internal and external, to frame, guide, oversee and evaluate the learning and teaching of the department. The Director will be responsible for leading the performance and professional capacity of staff under their direction.

This is an ideal opportunity for an expert creative artist to make a meaningful and tangible difference to the outcomes, wellbeing, and fabric of life at Westbourne.

The Director of Performing Arts and Music will have a deep-seated passion and a profound appreciation for the roles Performing Arts and Music have in enriching the lives of students. The Director will be a compelling leader and an astute communicator who brings an infectious level of enthusiasm, creativity, vibrancy and aspiration to the program.

Commencing either as soon practicable or at the beginning of Term 4, whichever occurs first, this is a permanent role equally apportioned between leadership/strategic responsibilities and instructional/performance duties and reports to the Deputy Principal Executive.

The successful candidate must:

• be an accomplished music professional with an enviable repertoire of achievements,
• display an expert grasp of classical and contemporary musical and theatrical practices,
• have a proven record of excellence in an educational environment, and
• hold full VIT registration.

Westbourne Grammar School has zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, as outlined in the Child Protection Policy.

Hutton Consulting Australia is partnering with Westbourne Grammar School in the active search for this position. An essential part of the process is to ensure absolute best fit in relation to the role specifically, and the culture, vision and strategic intent of the School more broadly. This is achieved through the careful screening of potential applicants. As such, and prior to submitting an application, all interested parties must contact the lead consultant, Christophe Menagé on 0427 703 483 or email chris.menage@hutton.education for a confidential discussion regarding the specifics of the role, our bespoke process and to obtain the all-important Candidate Information Pack (which includes the full position description).

Please Note: Direct online applications will not be considered.

Applications close: 5.00pm Sunday 28th May, 2023.