Head of Performing Arts and Head of Drama
Prince of Wales Island International School
Malaysia
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Fixed Term
- Start date:
- January 2017
- Apply by:
- 9 October 2016
Job overview
Head of Performing Arts and Head of Drama
For January 2017
Since the foundation of the school in 2011, POWIIS has built a significant reputation in the both curricular and cocurricular drama under the current Head of Drama, who is returning to his native South Africa at Christmas. Our primary focus is to appoint a successor with the drive and passion to continue this development.
We have an equally vibrant music profile, with high quality staff (themselves all professional instrumentalists) who maintain the remarkable reputation of the school in the region. A suitably qualified and experienced applicant, who is a drama specialist, is sought for a new position as overall Head of Performing arts. The role of Head of Drama may be offered, if appropriate.
The school
The school was created within the MTT Group of companies under a new division called the MTT Learning Academy. The group remains in family ownership, having been founded in 1963 by the current Executive Chairman’s grandfather. The family have a passionate interest in education; the Chairman’s three children were educated in the UK, and hence the ambition to provide a school for local children in Malaysia that mirrored the ethos and methods of the UK schools. They retain a close and supportive interest in the success of the school, and continue to invest strongly in it. In contrast to many Malaysian schools which are part of large educational groups, POWIIS is truly independent. Both MTT and the school promote a sense of ‘family’, and value long term relationships.
POWIIS is building strongly towards a capacity of 800, with a current role of 400. We have first class boarding accommodation, and a current boarding role of approximately 100 in two halls. The majority of our students are from the local area, others coming from across South East Asia and beyond. The school has wide range of nationalities and is truly multicultural.
Many of the students have backgrounds in traditional dance and music, which complements the wide range of formal and informal performance within the school. Facilities for performing arts include our magnificent auditorium, a venue for many internal and external productions and concerts. The school’s Steinway concert grand piano is only one example of the superb equipment the venue enjoys, complementing the building’s outstanding acoustic quality, and superb audience seating.
The school is an English medium international school, modelled on the traditional boarding schools of the UK. The pastoral structures are organised under six houses, and all students are in small mixed age tutor groups. The curriculum is based on the English system, and examinations are IGCSEs and AS/A2. Entry to the school is by test and interview, but covers a wide range of abilities; examination results are impressive.
The staff is predominantly European, who share with high quality Malaysian colleagues, outstanding facilities and resources. There is a deliberate focus on staff development, with low staff turnover.
Applicants are encouraged to explore the school’s website: www.powiis.edu.my
The area and living in Penang Penang is both an island, and State extending to the mainland. Pulau Pinang (Penang Island) is connected to the mainland by two impressive road bridges, and also ferry services. It has an international airport. Regular short services connect to the major hubs of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and onwards to global destinations.
The school is situated outside rural Balik Pulau, in the growing garden township of Botanica CT. The highly developed northern end of Pulau Pinang is within easy reach, and many students and staff travel to the school from there each day. Others come from all over the island, and indeed some from the mainland.
We run a full schedule of buses, with a second phase in the evenings for students staying late for school commitments. The centre of the island is often described as ‘old Malaysia’ a charming rustic mix of jungle, plantations and traditional
villages, fast disappearing in some areas with new upmarket residential developments. Picturesque fishing villages line the coast which also features attractive sandy beaches.
The island’s main town is Georgetown; this UNESCO World Heritage site draws visitors from all over the world to its multicultural atmosphere and architecture. Temples, markets, artists’ studios, and traditional craft workshops mix with bustling commercial enterprises not to mention innumerable cafes, wine bars and restaurants of all types. Penang is known as the street food centre of southeast Asia. From expensive fine dining in glorious historic surroundings, to simple hawker stalls at the roadside, Penang has it all. Many enjoy resort style living in the numerous stylish developments on the northern shores again from simple traditional homes to exclusive high rise condominiums, Penang offers something for every taste and budget!
Staff working at POWIIS enjoy the relaxed ambience of tropical life, the relatively inexpensive lifestyle, and easy access to some of the most exciting locations in the world. Many take regular trips to the UK, and enjoy the wonderful contrasts Malaysia provides.
The role
Drama is a high priority at the school. As well as offering iGCSE and A level examination courses, curricular and extracurricular drama is popular and successful throughout the school building confidence and personal communication ability. An appreciation of the value of performing arts pervades the school, and we have many highly talented students who are capable of directing and producing, in drama, music and dance choreography. The opportunity exists for the right candidate to carry this established strength forward.
The school has quickly established a reputation for its musical productions, reflecting the diverse talents of our students.. There is scope for development for nonmusical work, beyond that created by examination students. The drama department currently has two full time staff, and production work is supported by flourishing art and DT departments, as well as music. We benefit from active involvement of parents, who assist with costume creation at a professional level.
The ideal candidate
- will have a passion for drama, and the ability to enthuse others through energy, creativity and professionalism
- will have English as their first language, or if not, an exceptional ability in English both spoken and written
- will have a detailed knowledge of the English curriculum and of international GCSE and A Level programmes or the experience and professional capability to quickly adapt to these programmes
- will be a good team player, able to work with an energetic and committed staff cooperatively and constructively
- will be an exemplary role model, in matters of professional dress and presentation and will be an ambassador for the school at all times
- will be comfortable that the school is a nonsmoking campus
- will appreciate and value working with some of the most delightful young people likely to be encountered, and will value, respect and nurture them
A detailed job specification will be forwarded to those invited for interview. Initial interviews can be by SKYPE if necessary, and will be held in the week beginning 17 October.
Closing date for applications is MONDAY 10th OCTOBER
This role is also advertised on the TES HireWire website. Please do not apply through the HireWire system.
Candidates should apply to the school directly at recruitment@powiis.edu.my sending a completed application form together with a brief letter of application and Curriculum Vitae.
We will acknowledge all applications and keep applicants informed; we enjoy a high level of interest in our vacancies, but your candidacy is very important to us. Resubmission by previously unsuccessful applicants is welcomed.
Applicants are invited to visit the school’s website www.powiis.edu.my
Attached documents
About Prince of Wales Island International School
- Prince of Wales Island International School
- 1 Jalan Sungai Air Putih 6, Bandar Baru Air Putih, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang
- Penang
- 11000
- Malaysia
The Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) is a co-educational day and boarding school (Years 7-13) modelled on the best of British independent and international education. We follow a curriculum based on the English National Curriculum in Years 7 to 9, and offer IGCSE and A level for senior students. Attracting students from Penang, the whole of Malaysia as well as internationally, POWIIS currently welcomes around 400 students. We are not highly selective, and accept students with a broad spread of ability, but our cohorts include many very able students. Results at IGCSE, AS and A level are strong, and most leavers head to top universities in the UK, US, Australia or Asia.
Academics are only part of the story at POWIIS, however, and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, and every Friday afternoon is devoted to the POWIIS Project, where students select from a wide range of activities designed to enhance their global citizenship and develop their soft skills. We also offer an enhanced programme for students who are part of our Arts Academy.
The outstanding facilities are located in the attractive rural location of Balik Pulau, on the island of Penang. Facilities at the school are second to none in Penang, and arguably in Malaysia. They include a substantial and developing library, a magnificent 500 seat natural acoustic auditorium with full backstage and technical facilities. Our Steinway D concert grand piano, a provision usually found only in professional venues, is indicative of our leading reputation in the performing arts. There is a multi-purpose sports hall, a 25 metre swimming pool, football and netball pitches, tennis courts, a fitness suite, art studios, and a design technology centre.
The senior staff are from leading schools internationally and many of the teachers have come from other top international schools or directly from the UK. We are seeking to recruit able and visionary teachers interested in supporting high standards in a friendly and relatively informal atmosphere, where contact with students extends well beyond the classroom. One of the attractions for teachers is the quality of the students, most of whom are utterly delightful, many are talented and discipline problems are largely absent. The school has a very special atmosphere of purposeful and relaxed co-operation with excellent staff/student relationships.
Because of its beauty and gentle life-style, Penang is an attractive location for teachers at various stages of their careers. It is an excellent and safe place for families, but the comfortable standard of living and exotic travel opportunities will appeal to younger teachers as well as those at a more senior stage. The quality of life, for all, is very high, not least because of the warmth and generous hospitality of the people of Penang.
Part of the philosophy of the school is that subjects should be taught by specialists at all levels. Candidates for posts should therefore have good academic backgrounds themselves and be able to teach across the range from Year 7 through to A level. One of the great strengths of the school is that teachers have a whole range of interests themselves, enabling contributions beyond their subjects. Teachers are encouraged to follow their own enthusiasms within school and, indeed, to be seen to pursue their areas of interest outside. The school’s trips calendar is impressive, both within Malaysia and overseas.
POWIIS is a boarding school and consequently all teachers are expected to contribute to the wider aspects of boarding school life including occasional evening and weekend involvement on a rota basis. Experience of boarding education and independent schools is an advantage but by no means essential.
POWIIS is committed to the safety and well-being of all of its students. Those appointed will be subject to a thorough background check and must be able to provide up to date and full police checks/child protection certificates/criminal records disclosures covering all countries in which they have lived and/or worked for at least the last 10 years.
We do our best to acknowledge applications and to keep applicants informed, but the large number of applications sometimes makes this impossible, for which we apologise.
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