Foundation Principal

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited invites applications for Foundation Principal of a new Catholic primary school in Winter Valley, Ballarat. The role opens in 2028 with commencement in January 2027, and a focus on shaping vision, culture and identity to serve generations of students and families.

The successful candidate will lead from conception, collaborate with Catholic Education Ballarat leaders, foster innovation and build a strong parish and community network, ensuring

Qualifications

• Authentic Catholic leader grounded in faith, wellbeing and belonging.
• Visionary with ability to establish new initiatives and drive growth.
• Data-informed decision making to improve student outcomes.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop and empower high-performing teams.
• Exceptional relationship builder with staff, families, parish communities and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new Catholic primary school from conception through opening and future growth.
• Shape the vision, Catholic Identity, culture and strategic direction of the foundation years.
• Create a culture of belonging, collaboration and faith across the school community.
• Lead community engagement, enrolment growth and partnerships with families and parishes.
• Recruit and develop a foundation staff team and collaborate with architects and leaders on learning environments.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Educational leadership

Change management

Community building

Job description

Shape the future of Catholic Education in Ballarat

We are seeking an inspiring and visionary Catholic school leader to establish and lead a new school community in one of Ballarat's fastest growing suburbs.

This is a rare opportunity to become the Foundation Principal of DOBCEL’s Catholic Primary School in Winter Valley, opening in January 2028. The successful applicant will commence in January 2027 and will play a pivotal role in shaping the vision, culture, identity and foundations of a school that will serve generations of students, families and the wider community.

As the first new Catholic primary school established in the Ballarat region in nearly a decade, this school represents a significant milestone for Catholic Education in the Diocese, reflecting the depth of the Gospels and inspired by the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) Strategy 2035.

Build a thriving community from the ground up

As Foundation Principal, you will have the unique opportunity to establish a school from its very foundations. During 2027, you will work closely with Catholic Education Ballarat leaders and stakeholders to:

• Establish and lead a new Catholic primary school from conception through to opening and future growth.
• Shape the vision, Catholic Identity, culture and strategic direction of the school's foundation years.
• Create a culture of belonging, collaboration and faith that reflects the aspirations of DOBCEL Strategy 2035.
• Be part of a system-wide commitment to innovation, educational excellence and the pursuit of fullness of life for all.
• Lead community engagement, enrolment growth and the development of strong family and parish partnerships.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing foundation staff team committed to excellence in learning and wellbeing.
• Partner with architects, builders and Catholic Education Ballarat leaders to create contemporary learning environments that support future-focused education.

We are seeking an accomplished and faith-filled educational leader who is energised by innovation, community building and the opportunity to create something extraordinary.

About You

We are seeking:

• An authentic Catholic leader who fosters a contemporary school culture grounded in faith, wellbeing, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging.
• A visionary and strategic leader with the demonstrated ability to establish new initiatives, lead organisational growth and successfully manage change.
• An individual passionate about learning and teaching excellence, with a proven capacity to use evidence-informed practice and data-driven decision making to improve student outcomes.
• An individual skilled in recruiting, developing and empowering high-performing teams, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, professional growth and shared leadership.
• An exceptional relationship builder who develops strong partnerships with staff, families, parish communities and external stakeholders to strengthen engagement and community connectedness.
• An effective steward of human, financial and physical resources, with the ability to lead strategic planning, ensure compliance and support long-term organisational sustainability.

Whether you are an experienced principal seeking to leave a lasting legacy, or a school leader ready to take the next step into a significant and rewarding principalship, this role offers a unique platform to shape the future of Catholic education in Ballarat.

Why join DOBCEL?

Supported by the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL), you will join a system united by a shared vision of pursuing fullness of life for all and committed to building a high-performing system of Catholic schools.

As a Principal, you will be empowered to:

• Lead within a culture where collaboration is the driving principle of planning, innovation and school improvement.
• Foster strong engagement, wellbeing and belonging for students, staff and families, creating communities where every person is valued and able to flourish.
• Build a school that sits at the heart of its community, strengthening partnerships with families, parishes and local stakeholders.
• Champion research informed learning and teaching practices that promote deeper learning, wellbeing and excellence in student outcomes.
• Steward people, resources and future opportunities responsibly, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success for your school community.

With access to experienced system leaders, professional learning opportunities and strong organisational support, you will be empowered to lead boldly, innovate confidently and make a lasting contribution to Catholic Education across the Diocese of Ballarat.

Advertising closure

26 October 2026 5pm

Commencement

January 2027

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact:

Guided by our vision of “As partners in Catholic Education, and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all,” DOBCEL is committed to inclusion and the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all children and young people in our care. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who support Catholic education and value the unique contributions of each person.