DearParents

I am both delighted and proud to have been appointed as the Head Teacher designate of the Escola Internacional São Lourenço.

I originate from Liverpool and have been in education, in and abroad, for 23 years with the last 6 as a senior manager of a prestigious and high achieving school in Qatar. I recently visited Almancil and the school for an interview and was hugely impressed by the atmosphere of warmth and togetherness that is so apparent there. The teachers and support staff were very welcoming and friendly and the students were pleasant and thoroughly engaged in their learning. It is a school with an impressive ethos of care and a strong focus on the achievements of its children. The Governing body has a clear vision for the future and a determination to achieve the highest of aspirations.

It is my belief that every child is unique and that every lesson and every school day is a special occasion. We all know that children have one opportunity in education and it is our fundamental responsibility to make sure it is not wasted. We must never forget that we have a duty of care to children and that we, as teachers, are ‘in loco parentis’. By this I mean that the welfare of your children must be as important to me as it is to you. In this you have my absolute assurance. I will know every single child’s academic potential and understand his or her characteristics, talents, aptitude and aspiration. He or she will have targets that will challenge them to aspire to the highest possible level of attainment. The attainment of those targets will be monitored closely and if there is any sign of drift then intervention will be swift. You will be kept informed about pupil progress and I will expect you to be involved in the educational process. With your support we can guarantee the best possible opportunity for your child.

We, as teachers, know that we are accountable to the children and to parents. The professional development of all teachers will be a new and significant feature of the school. I am a lead learner and proud of the fact that I am still focused on my own professional development. I recently achieved the National Professional Qualification for Head Teachers. All new Head Teachers in the UK must attain this qualification. Achieving it was an inspirational experience. I want to pass that inspiration on to all of our teachers. We must continue to develop and to challenge ourselves and to use new and up to date teaching styles and methodologies to inspire and motivate our children.
 Terry McGuire
The greatest challenge that confronts all schools is the nature and pace of change. Pupils in our schools will be adults for much of the twenty-first century. We must plan to provide an education appropriate for a world which is bound to be different from what we are accustomed to and may involve concepts with which we are not yet familiar. We must ensure that the school’s vision prepares for the future and involves all of us in thinking widely so that we can get on with the immediate work in a secure framework. I see myself at the forefront of leading and managing change so that all stakeholders may take advantage of the opportunities which become available on behalf of the pupils.

You really need to know a little bit about me as a person. I am fit and healthy and have had only one day off through illness in over eleven years. I have a good sense of humour and am generally unflappable. I can take pressure and be calm in difficult circumstances. I love teaching and will retain a teaching commitment. I teach Economics and Business Studies and would hope to introduce Economics at GCSE and Advanced Level. I hate to be desk bound. During the school day I like to be interacting and communicating with pupils and teachers. I am often inspired when I see teachers teach and I enjoy talking with them about strategies for improving pedagogical practice. I enjoy involvement with parents groups and other outside bodies. I believe that the role of the Head Teacher is very much about promoting the institution within the broader community. This is an element of the job that I really enjoy. I like to be seen inside and outside of the school. I support, with passion, sporting events and always attend school functions. I enjoy life and have a lovely wife and a 15 year old son. We play golf (he wins) and five-a-side football together. I am excited by challenge and am prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ to achieve results. My standards and expectations are high and I can be quite demanding if they are not being achieved. I am held in high regard by staff, students, parents and governors alike. I am confident and determined and I know I have the necessary vision and leadership skills that will ensure that this school will achieve the highest of aspirations. I will settle for nothing less!

I am emphatic in my belief that the quality of our children’s’ education is best ensured when there is an unbreakable partnership between parents, teachers, managers and governors. I will work tirelessly to engender the strongest possible relations between us all. If we work together and pull in the same direction, undaunted by the challenges ahead, then there is nothing to stand in the way of making this already excellent school the best of its kind from Oporto to Madrid!

I will be taking up my role in September but will be visiting in February and over Easter.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely

Terry McGuire