DOCUMENT

Meet our new Head of Junior School We are delighted to welcome Jan Treeby as our new Head of Junior School. Jan has 24 years’ experience in education and is passionate about developing the very best in students and the teaching team. Jan grew up in in Colombia and El Salvador as the daughter of a United Nations advisor. She returned to New Zealand when she was 19 to visit her grandparents and stayed after meeting her husband. Most of Jan’s experience is in teaching new entrants to Year 3 students, and she has taught at schools aroundWellington. She was the Deputy Principal at Te Aro School and then at Tawa School. Jan believes it is important as a leader to provide strong support and lead by example. “Having a team approach is very important. You need to invite people on a journey not force them to follow,” she says. Her most recent position was at the Ministry of Education with the Positive Behaviour for Learning team inWellington. She held the position of School Wide Practitioner, an advisory role for primary and secondary schools. Jan has been involved with literacy throughout her career. She has served on theWellington Literacy Association and has organised national literacy conferences to enhance the professional development of teachers. She has also taught Spanish to Year 7 and 8 students. During her time at Tawa School, she was awarded a scholarship to the University of Salamanca in Spain to further her Spanish language skills. Jan believes that children learn in different ways and at different rates. She recognises that every student is precious and needs an environment where they have the potential to grow. She believes teamwork is the ultimate way a school can be successful in helping a child attain their full potential. “Keeping the atmosphere positive is the key to success, as well as keeping the lines of communication open among staff, students and parents,” Jan says. “Communication is always two way. You need to be receiving feedback and ideas as well as sharing what is important.” Jan believes the best part of her job is working with students and their whānau. She is excited about the new chapter in her career at Queen Margaret College, and she started with us at the beginning of Term 2. New Head of Junior School Jan Treeby. LEADING 28 Queen Margaret Calling :: ISSUE 63 :: May 2019