Faith-Led Principal For A Diverse Catholic School

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) is seeking a Principal for St Gerard’s School, Dandenong North, to lead a faith-filled community where students, staff and families flourish within a Catholic context.

You will realise the school’s vision, work in collaboration with MACS, local Parish Priest and the broader school community to achieve goals, and ensure instructional excellence, wellbeing and inclusive education across Prep to Year 6.

Qualifications

• Evidence of strong faith leadership through being an active member in good standing of a Catholic Church community, including Sunday attendance, whilst being informed by the Church's teaching and local mission.
• Demonstrated ability in instructional leadership, including determining and implementing evidence-based learning and teaching program and school curriculum.
• Evidence of unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of all, including MACS employees, students, parish and community in line with safety standards.
• Displays a strong commitment to enrolment growth, financial stability and risk mitigation within a strategic plan.
• Demonstrated understanding and enactment of the legislative and systemic compliance requirements applicable to Catholic schools.
• Shows attributes of justice and compassion in leadership of pastoral care and delivering engaging education with multiple pathways.
• Strong coaching and leadership skills to enable team growth and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• As Principal, lead a faith-filled community where students, staff and families flourish within a Catholic context.
• Realise the school vision and collaborate with MACS, parish, staff and the broader school community to achieve goals.
• Provide instructional leadership, governance of curriculum and safe, inclusive learning environments.
• Oversee enrolment growth, budget, risk management and strategic planning to ensure sustainable outcomes.
• Champion pastoral care, professional development and staff coaching to enable team growth.

Skills

Faith leadership

Instructional leadership

Workplace safety

Enrolment growth

Resource management

Legislative compliance

Pastoral care leadership

Team coaching

Job description

Principal - St Gerard's School, Dandenong North

At Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) we envision every student to be inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world. MACS is the largest Catholic school system in Australia. We own, govern and operate approximately 300 Catholic schools, employ over 17,000 staff and serve more than 118,000 students and their families in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

It is an exciting time to join MACS, where we are transforming to bring to life our strategic plan - MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World that will help all MACS staff come together to make the most of what a Catholic education has to offer so that we have the greatest and most distinctive impact in our classrooms, staffrooms and schools communities. More details on the MACS strategy can be found here.

The MACS Code of Conduct (the Code) embodies our collective commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment that prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone, inspired by our Catholic faith. We ask that all staff read and understand the Code and model the behaviours that are expected of us.

YOUR ROLE

As a Principal, you will be inspired to lead a joy-filled community where students, staff, and families can flourish within a Catholic context. Your leadership will enable the vision of the school to be realised, creating an environment where everyone can reach their full potential. The role of the Principal is one of the most important roles across the MACS system, as their faith and educational leadership enables the vision of the school to be realised. This role will work in collaboration with MACS, staff members, local Parish Priest, and the broader School community to achieve the identified goals of the School.

ABOUT ST GERARD’S SCHOOL, DANDENONG NORTH

St Gerard’s school, Dandenong North was established in 1957 and is located in Melbourne’s southeast, approximately 35 kilometres from the CBD within the culturally diverse City of Greater Dandenong.

The Principal leads a student cohort of approximately 121 students from 103 families across Prep to Year 6 and reflects the rich diversity of its local community, with approximately 45 nationalities and 21 languages represented. The multicultural nature of the school creates a vibrant and inclusive environment where respect, understanding and appreciation of different cultures are actively fostered and celebrated.

Central to school life are the Give Me 5 principles: Be Spirit Filled, Be Respectful, Be Cooperative, Be Positive and Be Your Best. These values guide all aspects of learning and relationships, creating a positive, faith-filled culture where students are supported and inspired to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

St Gerard’s offers modern, flexible learning spaces that support contemporary teaching practices and provide diverse opportunities for student learning. Extensive outdoor areas further enhance the school environment, encouraging physical activity, collaboration and the development of positive relationships.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

St Gerard’s Catholic Parish Primary School is a welcoming and multicultural community where families from diverse backgrounds are valued and supported.

Catholic faith and tradition are central to school life, fostering strong values, compassion and a commitment to service. Through Religious Education and a contemporary inquiry-based curriculum, students are encouraged to deepen their faith, respect others and contribute positively to their communities.

Working in partnership with families, St Gerard’s nurtures confident, resilient and compassionate learners equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to thrive in an ever-changing world. The school’s culturally diverse environment promotes inclusion, respect and global citizenship, creating a strong sense of belonging.

*Enrolment numbers are correct at the time of publication.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Evidence of strong faith leadership through being an active member in good standing of a Catholic Church community, including Sunday attendance, whilst being informed by the Church's teaching and local mission.
• Demonstrated ability in instructional leadership, including determining and implementing evidence-based learning and teaching program and school curriculum.
• Evidence of unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of all, including all MACS employees, students, parish, broader church, educational system, other schools, and educational authorities in line with current community safety standards and expectations.
• Displays a strong commitment to enrolment growth, financial stability, and a commitment to risk mitigation whilst effectively managing resources within a regularly monitored, evidence-based strategic plan.
• Demonstrated understanding and enactment of the legislative and systemic compliance requirements applicable to all Catholic schools.
• Shows attributes of justice and compassion in setting high standards for self and others in the leadership of pastoral care and the provision of an engaging education that provides multiple pathways and options for positive outcomes for young people.
• Strong coaching and leadership skills to enable team growth and development, championing innovation and improvement to support continuous learning.

Note: MACS is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children in our care. The successful candidate must hold or acquire and maintain a VIT and/or Working with Children Check, and must be willing to obtain and maintain a national criminal history check.

Candidates must hold full Australian working rights and provide evidence of this.

All successful candidates will be required to complete a “Schools Fit and Proper Personal Declaration”

COMMENCEMENT DATE: Term 1 2027

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 4:00pm Monday, 26 October 2026