Next Monday signals an interesting moment in the short life of St Luke’s Catholic College. The unique role of Pathways Leader commences. This role has been confused for a Career’s advisor role. It has also been seen as similar to a Pathways Liaison or Manager type role which more progressive schools have recently added to their staffing. However, the role of Pathways Leader at St Luke’s is neither.
St Luke’s has taken the stance that, from Year 7 onwards, we will cover all mandated subjects and hours to the NESA indicative requirements. That means in Year 7 next year we will have 7 hours per fortnight to design, establish and commence a personalised Pathways Plan for each student. Over time that increases to 10 hours per fortnight in Year 8, 20 hours (or 4 days) in Year 9 and 23 hours per fortnight in Year 10. That’s a great deal of time!
To ensure students properly develop their Personal Plan, they need to understand who they are, what they can do and how their talents and strengths can purposefully and meaningfully contribute towards solutions to local problems or global challenges. To do so, we will delve into new data sets to complement current academic data. Those new data sets will possibly include:
• Emerging patterns obtained from assessing, reflecting and reporting on general capabilities as expressed in our 6 Pillars of Learning.
• Wellbeing data obtained through current attendance rates and mental health indicators.
• Survey tools including the Clifton StrengthsFinder for youth.
• Input from students and families about their perceived strengths obtained from when the student is ‘in the flow’.
These new sets of data, both quantitative and qualitative, will broaden the definition of success for students at St Luke’s. Furthermore, it will mean students will make informed decisions about personalised learning which aligns with their personal interests, social skills, enterprise skills, academic strengths, technical skills and personal dispositions.
Searching for the best applicant to lead this new initiative proved to be extensive and successful. In fact, by the end of the appointment process we were in the enviable position of being able to offer the role to three people; however, as we know, 3 into 1 does not go. From advertising to appointment took 3 months; in part because the role is so unique and, in part, because there is no clear traditional educational appointment pathway for such a unique role. Maybe this is a sign on the times for school and education roles in the future.
On Wednesday 2 August, applications closed for the above mentioned position. After the initial shortlisting on Thursday 10 August, we expressed interest in two applicants; however, the panel was wishing for a greater depth to the field. As a result, we adopted a strengths based approach to the appointment process. We engaged recruitment and coaching industry experts who highlighted the inherent strengths required for the role as per ‘Gallup Language’.
To broaden and deepen the field of applicants we engaged with their networks. Furthermore, I wrote to recently appointed St Luke’s personnel asking them to highlight the role within their networks. This process resulted in more applicants, each of whom completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder survey. From here, we interviewed five people for our first round of interviews. Three persons arose from the interviews and proceeded to the next phase.
I wrote to all three applicants inviting them to meet with the panel for a second time. As well, I asked each of them to review the updated Pathways Leader Role. Also, they were asked to read the most recent FYA Work Order Reports – The New Work Smarts and The New Work Mindset. All three applicants were informed that our 90 minute conversation would look like this:
- 0-15 minutes: The Principal to provide initial thinking about the Pathways Program.
- 15-30 minutes: Panel to leave the room for the applicant to have preparation time to respond to a lead question.
- 30-45 minutes: Applicant to provide response to the panel.45-50 minutes: With reference to The New Work Smarts and The New Work Mindset reports applicants to be given a challenge.
- 50-65 minutes: Panel to leave the room for the applicant to have preparation time to respond to the challenge.
- 65-80 minutes: Applicant to provide response to the panel.
- 80-90 minutes: Final discussion/questions from the applicant to the panel.
One lead question, one challenge, 90 minutes x 3 persons later, and all three could have appointed to the role. We were able to facilitate a process which allowed each person to put their best foot forward in a way where they developed their understanding of the role and confidence about what they would bring to the role. Whilst this made it extremely difficult to make an appointment, the discerning conversation between panel members at the end of the day and again the next day, ensured excellent alignment between the role and preferred applicant.
‘The appointed’ is ready for this great challenge after a process which was focused on how their strengths, talents and capabilities would best serve the role. There is no doubt it will be a challenge for the Pathways Leader and their team to work with College Leadership to both support and challenge students of St.Luke’s to fully utilise learning time which is self directed and free from mandates. I know there will be many challenges moving forward; however, I am strong in the belief that inspiring and committed colleagues will make this work because it is work centred on the best interests of our students.
Any questions, comments of feedback will be welcomed.
Regards,
Greg.
LEARN AND LEAD 