Assistant Principal - Catholic Culture & Junior School

Damascus College Ballarat; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Damascus College Ballarat invites applications for the position of Assistant Principal – Catholic Culture & Junior School. The role leads Catholic School Culture and oversees the Junior School (Years 7 & 8), reporting to the Principal as part of the College leadership team.

The appointment focuses on faith, learning, wellbeing and belonging at the heart of student life. Working with the Head of Junior School and other leaders, the successful candidate will promote excellence in Religious

Qualifications

• Commitment to Catholic education and Mercy tradition.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with staff, students and families.
• Experience leading high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Strategic thinking and capability to guide organizational improvement.
• Expertise in Religious Education, faith formation, and Catholic School Identity.
• Proven focus on student learning, wellbeing and belonging.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for Catholic Culture across the College and for Years 7–8.
• Lead faith formation, prayer, liturgy and Catholic learning initiatives.
• Oversight of the Junior School learning and wellbeing experiences.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to promote engagement and inclusion.
• Drive partnerships with families and external support services.

Skills

Catholic education commitment

Relationship-building

Strategic leadership

Lead high-performing teams

Religious Education expertise

Student learning and wellbeing

Job description

Assistant Principal - Catholic Culture & Junior School

Assistant Principal – Catholic Culture & Junior School

• 5 year Leadership Appointment with Ongoing Teaching Contract
• Commencing January 2027

Damascus College invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced Catholic educational leaders for the position of Assistant Principal – Catholic Culture & Junior School.

Reporting directly to the Principal and as an integral part of the College leadership team, this significant appointment is responsible for providing strategic direction to both the College's Catholic School Culture and Junior School (Years 7 & 8) teams, ensuring that faith, learning, wellbeing and belonging are at the heart of the student experience.

Serving more than 1,250 students and 200 staff, Damascus College is a thriving Catholic secondary school inspired by our Mercy and Diocesan heritage. This role provides a unique opportunity for an accomplished leader to shape both the faith direction of the College and the strategic outcomes of the Junior School.

The successful applicant will work closely with the Head of Junior School, Religious Education Learning Area Leader, Catholic Culture Team, Student Growth and Engagement Team, and the wider Leadership Team to promote a culture where every student is known, valued, challenged and supported.

Catholic School Culture

The Catholic School Culture portfolio continues to be a central strategic priority for Damascus College and is informed by the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Project, the College's Mercy tradition and the needs of the contemporary Catholic community.

The Assistant Principal will provide leadership that enables:

• A vibrant and authentic Catholic culture where faith is explored, celebrated and lived
• Contemporary approaches to faith formation, prayer, liturgy and spirituality
• Staff growth in faith understanding, Catholic identity and leadership capacity
• A visible commitment to social justice, reconciliation, sustainability and service)
• Excellence in Religious Education teaching and learning through the Diocesan Awakenings curriculum

This portfolio is supported by a passionate and dedicated team who lead Religious Education, Retreats, Reflection Days, Youth Ministry, Liturgy, Social Justice and Faith Formation initiatives across the College.

The Assistant Principal will also provide strategic leadership for the Junior School, ensuring a seamless and engaging learning and wellbeing experience for students in Years 7 and 8.

Working collaboratively with the Head of Junior School, Year Level Coordinators and Student Growth and Engagement Team, the successful applicant will lead initiatives that:

• Foster excellence in learning, wellbeing and faith formation
• Promote student engagement, inclusion and belonging
• Strengthen transition experiences into and through the Junior School
• Develop strong partnerships with families and external support agencies
• Use student achievement and wellbeing data to inform strategic improvement

Central to the role is a commitment to ensuring every Junior School student experiences success, develops resilience and confidence, and feels connected to the Damascus community.

About You

The successful applicant will be an outstanding Catholic educational leader who demonstrates:

• A deep understanding and commitment to Catholic education and the Mercy tradition
• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to inspire staff, students and families
• Experience leading high-performing and collaborative teams
• Strategic thinking, innovation and the ability to lead organisational improvement and change
• Expertise in Religious Education, faith formation and Catholic School Identity
• A demonstrated capacity to nurture positive learning and wellbeing outcomes for young people

Why Damascus College?

Our staff enjoy a supportive, collaborative and professional environment set amongst an inspiring 50-acre bushland setting just minutes from the Ballarat CBD. We are proud of our strong culture of collaboration, care and connection and the opportunities we provide for leadership development and meaningful contribution.

Applications close 9am Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Damascus College is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children and young people. All employees and volunteers of the College are expected to share this commitment and contribute to a culture of safety and care.

Damascus College acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and work, the Wadawurrung People, and pays respect to Elders past, present, and emerging.