Manitoba's Top Employers

26 In 2020 SJR celebrates 200 years of academic excellence and 12 straight years as one of Manitoba's Top Employers. SJR PHOTO ST. JOHN'S-RAVENSCOURT SCHOOL RISING TO THE CHALLENGE With two centuries of experience in providing quality, well-rounded education for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, St. John's-Ravenscourt School (SJR) has built an impressive school community and a proud history, based on four pillars — academic excellence, creative expression, active healthy living and social responsibility. This shared commitment to achieving personal and educational excellence draws students from around the world, as well as educators and support staff who each play an important role in contributing to this independent, co-educational day and boarding school's outstanding reputation. For the 12th year in a row, SJR was named one of Manitoba's Top Employers, a distinction that reflects the school's success in developing an attractive working environment for its multi- talented staff, which includes 153 full-time and 18 part-time employees as of March 1, 2019. "Many of our staff have been recognized as leaders in the field of education, as well as in coaching, writing and music," says Lindsay Stovel, SJR's Director of Admissions and Marketing. "The commitment of the school to community service locally, regionally and globally is second to none." In recruiting and retaining talented professionals, SJR offers competitive salaries, attractive benefits packages, and a stimulating work environment. The scenic 23-acre school campus is situated on the banks of the Red River, surrounded by Winnipeg's Wildwood Park community, and offers some of the finest facilities of any independent school in Canada. Staff have access to the school's impressive fitness facility and participate in SJR's subsidized breakfast, lunch and dinner programs. Faculty members are allowed five days per year to pursue professional development opportunities including many on-campus mentoring programs, in-house training and apprenticeship/skilled trades programs. SJR pays up to $2,500 in tuition subsidies per year for staff taking work- related courses. While the average work day spans 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there are opportunities for flex-time, particularly during the summer months. Employees also enjoy three paid, extended long weekends per year. Faculty members receive an extra week of vacation at both spring and summer breaks. New administrative employees at SJR start with an allotment of three weeks of paid vacation, while teachers are granted 12 weeks. Both staff groups receive two paid personal days per year, as well as the paid holiday school closure period between Christmas and New Year. SJR's staff benefits package includes Manitoba Blue Cross coverage, a defined-benefit pension plan and retirement planning assistance, and phased-in work options for those nearing the end of their careers at the school. There is a maternity leave top-up for mothers, up to 90 per cent of salary for 17 weeks, followed by parental leave top-up for new moms up to 90 per cent of salary for an additional 10 weeks. New fathers and adoptive parents are eligible for a top-up of up to 90 per cent of salary for 10 weeks. Staff can opt to extend their parental leaves into unpaid leaves of absence. SJR also offers reduced tuition fees for employees' children who qualify for school admission. One of SJR's guiding principles is social responsibility, so supporting important causes is an integral part of campus life. Staff receive paid time-off for volunteerism, as well as having a great many opportunities to contribute to worthy causes as members of the school community. Students' and staff philanthropic efforts have helped a wide variety of community initiatives including Koats for Kids, Canadian Red Cross, Terry Fox Run, D'Arcy's ARC, Agape Table, Project 11, Operation Christmas Child and the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. As Western Canada's oldest independent day and boarding school, SJR will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2020. A full slate of special events is planned to mark this extraordinary milestone, including a gala evening in September for current and former students, staff, and families. For more information about career opportunities at SJR, and the school's 200th anniversary, go to sjr.mb.ca.

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