High School: School Social Services and Counselor

**About SPARK Schools**

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provide transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools has a culture of collaboration, because getting South Africa to lead global education takes a team effort. We are innovators who strive for excellence through persistence and a sense of urgency to achieve SPARK Schools’ vision, mission and social transformational objectives. Our work environment is vibrant/cheerful, fast-paced/dynamic, engaging/stimulating, tech-enabled and data driven.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven, entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools and 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

**Reports To**:Principal

**Purpose of Role**:
SPARK Schools is a network of affordable private schools implementing Africa’s first blended learning model for primary and high school scholars in South Africa. SPARK Schools provides transformational education innovation through our blended learning model, which elevates scholar achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their scholars effectively.

SPARK Schools is a high-growth, mission and values-driven and highly entrepreneurial organisation looking for dynamic people to join our team.

**Reports To**: Principal

**Responsibilities**:
**Role Summary**:
As the School Social Services and Counselor (Scholar Support Assistant Principal), you will play a crucial role in promoting the general well-being of scholars within the school. You will be responsible for creating and maintaining a school culture that values high achievement, strong character, and a love for learning. Your role encompasses various aspects, including academic excellence, behavior management, career guidance, counseling, and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. You will collaborate closely with the school leadership team, instructional staff, scholars, and families to ensure scholar success in alignment with SPARK Schools' mission and vision.

**Counseling and Support Services**:
**Individual Counseling**:
- Providing one-on-one counseling sessions to scholars who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, or social difficulties. This can include helping scholars manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or anger and addressing issues related to self-esteem, relationships, and family dynamics.

**Group Counseling**:
- Conducting group therapy sessions to address common concerns among scholars, such as peer relationships, communication skills, conflict resolution, and coping strategies.
- Provide a supportive environment for scholars to share their experiences and learn from their peers.
- Maximize coping skills for scholars in difficult situations and offer crisis intervention strategies.

**Crisis Intervention**:

- Respond to immediate crises within the school environment, such as incidents of bullying, violence, or unexpected losses.
- Providing emotional support to scholars and staff during challenging times.
- Maximize coping skills for scholars in difficult situations and offer crisis intervention strategies.

**Promoting Scholar Well-being and Academic Excellence**:

- Plan and execute the high school transition model to facilitate a smooth scholar transition.
- Offer career guidance and support to Further Education and Training (FET) scholars.
- Implement rigorous and engaging social-emotional programs that promote character development.

**Behaviour Management and Scholar Culture**:

- Develop interventions and individualised behaviour plans when necessary to support scholars' social and emotional growth.
- Use quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making and scholar support strategies.
- Preventive Education: Developing and delivering educational programs to promote positive mental health, social skills, conflict resolution, and overall well-being among scholars. These programs can help prevent potential issues from escalating.
- Develop personalised interventions and behaviour plans for scholars facing challenges in behaviour or academics, involving parents, teachers, and support staff in the process to ensure a holistic approach.
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and support staff to ensure a holistic approach to scholar well-being, coordinating efforts to provide targeted support and interventions