Head of School
Mr Paul Grisewood
BA Ed, B.Ed, MACE, MACEL Paul joined Saint Michaels International School Kobe He previously worked in leadership positions in He has been a teacher and administrator in the Australian Independent Education system for the past nineteen years. He and his wife Julie with their two young children are looking forward to the opportunities and challenges life will offer them in a new posting overseas. Paul has over fourteen years of administration experience across Paul has been involved in numerous long term projects facilitating review, change and development in schools. He is a member of many professional organisations and a believer in professional learning and that a school should be constantly changing, visionary and forever moving forward towards best practice; delivering the best possible outcomes for students. SMIS school is focused on professional learning and international networks. Mr. Grisewood belongs to: NAHT - National Assosiation of Head Teachers, ACEL - Member of Australia Council for Educational Leadership EARCOS -
AISH -
ICP - International Confederation of Principals.
ACE- Member of Australia College of Educators
JCIS - The Japan Council of International school
Foreign School Network of
Head Review Letter:
Dear Community,
Mr Paul Grisewood, Head of School at SMIS, recently undertook his review.
The Review consisted of the following parts:
1. Self-reflection against the job description, leadership criteria and international Heads competencies
2. Leadership Profiles completed against Research Data
3. Survey by the Board and Council, PTA Executive, and Staff
4. Achievement against School Targets and Goals
The Self-reflection showed that Mr Grisewood was fully-aware of the responsibilities of his position and the needs and mission of the school.
The Personality Profiling revealed him to be Introverted Sensing with Extroverted Thinking with strong transformational leadership qualities.
The Survey was completed by members of staff, the School Board and Council, and members of the PTA executive. It showed overwhelming support for and satisfaction with, Mr Grisewood in his role as Head of School.
The Achievement against School Targets and Goals showed that plans had been made for development and improvement of all areas of the school and that the goals for the majority of these plans had been achieved or were well under way.
As Mr Grisewood completes his first year as Head of School at SMIS, we are delighted to report back thisextremely positive result and congratulate Mr Grisewood for all that he has achieved in this short time.
In closing, may we request your ongoing support for Mr Grisewood in the years ahead.
Chairman of School Board of Trustees and Chair of School Council
Annual Report
Head’s Report 2009-10
Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.
Joel A. Barker
…In the academic years 2009-2011 we prioritise the development of quality leadership, community awareness, enhanced resources, and providing an innovative curriculum in order to further develop our students to reach their full potential within the tradition of St. Michael’s…
Our Founders have come and gone before us, pioneers leading the way, setting the standards. Generations of parents, teachers, students and Heads have made St. Michael’s
Throughout its history and continuing until today, St. Michael’s has been a small and friendly school, which ensures that the students are educated in a pleasant atmosphere, conducive to the development of tolerance and friendship towards people of all nationalities. The School aims to educate for the future, while maintaining the traditions imparted by our founders.
As a school, we are challenged to create a vision whereby our name becomes synonymous with excellence, innovation, outstanding quality and service. If we keep our vision simple yet goal focussed - then we will have turned defining our vision into a stepping-stone, one which we will use to reach even greater heights.
Our targets have been centred upon leadership and management, governance, finance mission, community, learning, teaching, facilities and the future. Our challenge is clear. The road ahead is long and will be testing.
As an educator I appreciate the premise that an individual’s cumulative actions can result in a fantastic end- product. At St. Michael’s we have taken this even further. We have had a journey so far, and the School has grown from strength to strength. St. Michael’s is the sum of all our actions and each child, parent, teacher, staff member and Board of Governors have all acted together to further enhance and develop motivation and excellence in our School.
I have continued to learn that the teachers at St. Michael’s are a remarkable group of individuals whose collective actions deserve our thanks. I am most fortunate and grateful that St. Michael’s is filled with so many motivated people who make positive choices, which ultimately lead to so many productive actions.
The School has undertaken a variety of major events this year including a Talent Show, Book Week, Nativity, Good Neighbour Charity Event, Remembrance Day, Earthquake Memorial, Spring Recital and Stations of the Cross. The list and variety is endless. Thank you to all for your contributions to making these a success.
The Parents and Teacher Association (PTA), under the guidance of Elizabeth Brackin as President, ably assisted by the Executive Committee, have refocused the association to be positive, active and supportive of the school. Events have been revamped, introduced and expanded to provide quality experiences for students and their families. Their involvement in reviews, when invited, have been professional, family- focussed and generous. I thank them for their time and unwavering efforts throughout the school year.
The Board and Trustees and Council are looking ahead to secure the life of the organisation by undertaking renovation studies to invest in our future.
I am grateful for their commitment to this project and many others. Their positive and strong support, since my arrival, has been encouraging and I am most grateful to their contributions to the strategic direction of the School.
As a Head, I am very proud of the positive results and feedback that highlight our quality programme, particularly in the areas of: parental involvement, staff, policies and processes, communication, standards and curriculum.
Our vision has been clear from August 2009. The growth and the development of a Professional Learning Community that strives towards best practice and continuous improvement has been our focus this year and will continue into the future. Therefore, the School is committed to quality leadership, management, teaching, pastoral care of staff and students, curriculum development with a shared vision and high expectations of all concerned.
The following goals gave been achieved:
Restructuring of management positions,
Board governance processes,
Establishment of a School Improvement Plan with an accompanying vision
Budgetary review,
Accreditation processes and school partnerships,
School audit, compliance and reviews,
Marketing campaigns, community links and website expansion
Expansion of the professional development opportunities for staff and
development of a professional performance review system
Review of all curriculum and co-curricular activities,
Establishment of assessment, reporting and monitoring,
Review all Learning Enrichment programme provisions
Establish a ‘Building for the Future’ plan.
What makes St Michael’s so special? It’s the community family feel and ultimately it’s the students. I have been made most welcome by them all and they continue to impress me everyday. Their excellent behaviour, focus and efforts are outstanding and they are to be congratulated.
The Year 6 graduates can hold their heads high, as they are a commendable group of students, who have given their best and we wish them all the best, as they embark on a new journey.
St. Michael’s is a magical place - of that there is no doubt.
