Southdowns College seeks a passionate Physical Education and Life Orientation Teacher

Southdowns College, specifically its Preparatory School, is looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Teacher for Physical Education and Life Orientation to join their team. This pivotal role involves teaching Grades 1 to 7, coaching various sports, and coordinating sporting events. If you have a passion for sports and education, combined with strong interpersonal skills and at least three years of experience, this could be an excellent opportunity for you to contribute to a vibrant school environment. You can find more details about this and other teaching jobs by exploring the full vacancy.

Detailed list of vacancy key details

• Institution: Southdowns College / Southdowns Preparatory School
• Job Title: Teacher Physical Education and Life Orientation
• Reporting To: The Principal
• Role Responsibilities:
  • Teaching Life Orientation to students.
  • Acting as a Physical Education Teacher for Grades 1 to 7.
  • Coaching in various sporting disciplines.
  • Liaising effectively with parents, students, and campus visitors.
  • Collaborating with the Sports Department for the organisation of sporting events.
• Required Qualifications:
  • A recognised Degree and/or Diploma in Sports’ Management, OR a Teaching Qualification with Physical Education as a completed subject.
  • Mandatory SACE registration.
• Required Experience:
  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar teaching and coaching position and environment.
  • Essential ability to coach sports.
  • Demonstrated experience in organising sporting events.
• Key Competencies and Skills:
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, students, and parents.
  • Energetic, self-motivated, and capable of taking initiative.
  • Strong organisational and administrative abilities.
  • Proficient computer literacy.
  • A collaborative team player.
  • First Aid Training is required.
  • Willingness to accompany sports teams to fixtures.
  • Skilled in coaching and refereeing/umpiring.
• Institution Details: Please note that specific website and address details for Southdowns College are not provided in the vacancy text.

Simple summary of the vacancy

Southdowns College, through its Preparatory School division, is looking to appoint a dedicated Teacher for Physical Education and Life Orientation. This role is crucial for fostering both the physical and personal development of students from Grade 1 to 7. The successful candidate will not only teach these subjects but also play a significant part in the school’s sports programme, which includes coaching various disciplines and assisting with the organisation of sporting events. This requires someone who is not just qualified but also passionate about sports and education, with a proactive approach and excellent communication skills.

The ideal candidate will have a recognised qualification in either Sports’ Management or Teaching with a specialisation in Physical Education, alongside compulsory SACE registration. Practical experience is key, with a minimum of three years in a similar role being essential, especially in coaching and event organisation. Beyond academic and athletic qualifications, the school values a team player who is energetic, self-motivated, and possesses strong administrative and computer skills. Being prepared to travel with sports teams and having First Aid training are also important aspects of this rewarding position. If you are looking for fulfilling teaching jobs that combine academic and sporting passions, this could be for you.

How to apply for this post

• Review the vacancy details thoroughly to ensure your qualifications and experience align with the requirements.
• Prepare your application documents, which typically include a CV and cover letter, highlighting your relevant experience and skills.
• Click on the application link provided in the original vacancy.
• Complete the online application process as instructed by Southdowns College.
• Ensure all required documents are attached and submitted before any specified deadline.

Questions and answers for a potential candidate

Here are some questions a potential candidate might have and advice on how to be a preferred candidate:

• Q: What is the primary focus of this teaching role?
  A: The primary focus is teaching Physical Education to Grades 1-7 and Life Orientation, combined with coaching various sports and helping organise school sporting events.
• Q: Is SACE registration absolutely necessary?
  A: Yes, SACE registration is a mandatory requirement for this position.
• Q: I have less than 3 years of experience but a strong passion. Should I still apply?
  A: While the vacancy specifies a minimum of 3 years’ experience, highlighting your extensive coaching experience, relevant qualifications, and strong initiative might still make you a compelling candidate.
• Q: What kind of sports coaching is expected?
  A: The vacancy mentions “various Sporting Disciplines,” so demonstrating versatility and specific coaching qualifications or experience in multiple sports would be highly beneficial.
• Q: How important are communication skills for this role?
  A: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, students, and parents are explicitly listed as a key competency, so they are very important.
• Q: Is First Aid Training a pre-requisite or can I obtain it after being hired?
  A: First Aid Training is listed as a “required” competency, suggesting it should ideally be in place before application or at least committed to immediately upon hiring.
• Q: What does “willingness to accompany teams to sporting fixtures” entail?
  A: This means you should be prepared to travel with student sports teams to various locations for competitions, which may include evenings or weekends.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my organisational and administrative skills?
  A: In your application, provide examples of how you’ve organised events, managed schedules, or handled administrative tasks effectively in previous roles.
• Q: What makes a candidate a “team player” in this context?
  A: Being a team player means collaborating effectively with the Sports Department, other teachers, and school staff to achieve common goals and support the school’s ethos.
• Q: How can I stand out as a preferred candidate?
  A: Highlight your specific coaching achievements, provide evidence of successfully organised sporting events, and articulate your vision for physical education and holistic student development. Emphasise your energy and initiative.
• Q: Where can I find the original vacancy source for full details?
  A: You can view the original vacancy on the ISASA website here: Teacher Physical Education and Life Orientation.