Principal’s Philosophy

MY MISSION STATEMENT:

To make West Park School a happy, caring, creative and equitable place for all – a place of high motivation levels, where programmes are designed to give the best possible grounding in curriculum areas, and where the total educational environment is characterised by a richness and variety of experiences in which every pupil wishes to be involved.

MY VALUES AND BELIEFS:

I acknowledge the individuality of children and therefore staff will be guided in preparing teaching/learning programmes, where every effort will be made to cater for the children’s academic, social and physical development.

I acknowledge the need to provide continuous opportunities to enhance the professional growth of staff and provide conditions that develop staff morale.

I recognise that each child should, in every way, at all times actively participate in his/her own education if happiness and growth are to be the products of experience and creative activity.

I recognise that all students must be treated equitably with regard to access to educational experiences.

I acknowledge that such traits as honesty, cooperation, courtesy and responsibility need to be developed as a base for the future.

I recognise that attractive, stimulating and enriching classroom environments provide high levels of achievement, motivation and are highly conducive to all teaching/learning strategies.

I acknowledge that high levels of encouragement, and parental involvement, play a significant role in the success of each student.

I acknowledge my role in the school as:

Business Manager

Communication/Personnel Manager

Professional/Educational Leader

Business Manager:

To complete key tasks daily.

To have set day to day organisation and routines.

To keep records in a clear, effective way.

To complete returns and reports accurately.

To action mail daily.

To authorise spending.

To control resource budget.

To be administrator, organiser, planner and monitor.

To be coordinator of resources.

Communication/Personnel Manager:

To encourage human potential.

To motivate and support staff.

To assist syndicate leaders.

To liaise with Board of Trustees/community and education personnel.

To work with/for children.

To consult with parents/family, the “stakeholders”.

To coordinate support staff.

To share decision making with all involved.

To be personnel manager, facilitator.

To be the team builder, consulter, a trainer, a role model and go between.

Professional/Educational Leader:

To provide a resource base for staff – eg visitors, experience, written materials.

To delegate and share.

To plan ahead and always be prepared.

To find better ways of doing things, streamlining processes and procedures.

To ensure ease of access to resources.

To encourage purchase of innovative, creative and practical educational resources.

To create initiative and realise a vision.

To believe in the vision, ie the school mission statement, strategic plan and related documents.

To take charge of change, ie prioritise, after consultation and then pace school/staff development.

To be the learner, supporter, adviser, teacher and educator.

To be the implementer, decision maker and visionary.