Principal

Catholic Schools, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle; Nelson Bay; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

St Michael’s Primary School, Nelson Bay invites applications for a Permanent Full-Time Primary Principal from January 2027. Lead with faith and a clear educational vision to drive academic excellence across a K–6 community of about 275 students.

The successful applicant will nurture staff, engage families and foster an inclusive, innovative learning culture in a vibrant Port Stephens setting.

Experience in Catholic education leadership and a commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing is required.

Qualifications

• Qualified teacher with a four-year degree or higher and accreditation.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Educational Leadership with substantial teaching experience.
• Active involvement in Catholic education and accreditation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse student data and respond with improvement plans.
• Experience managing staff, budgets and resources in a school setting.

Responsibilities

• Model faith in action and articulate a shared improvement agenda.
• Develop a shared vision focused on quality educational experiences and outcomes.
• Nurture positive relationships among students, staff, families and stakeholders.
• Support and monitor professional growth of teachers and staff.
• Set high standards for student and staff performance and governance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Data analysis

Educational leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor/PGCE or four-year trained teacher

Master of Education qualification

Postgraduate in Religious Education (Category E)

Active NESA Accreditation

WWCC clearance

Job description

Lead with purpose. Lead with heart. Lead St Michael’s into its next chapter.

St Michael’s Primary School, Nelson Bay is seeking an exceptional Permanent Full-Time Primary Principal to join our school community from January 2027.

Nestled in the beautiful Port Stephens region, just 45 minutes from Newcastle CBD, St Michael’s is a vibrant K–6 school of approximately 275 students where every child is known, valued and encouraged to thrive.

At St Michael’s, we celebrate the creativity, individuality and talents of every student and teacher. Our school is built on a strong culture of inclusion, innovation and belonging, where quality learning experiences inspire students to be curious, confident and courageous learners.

With a clear commitment to academic excellence and the development of the whole child, St Michael’s provides an environment where students are both nurtured and challenged to reach their full potential.

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring and relational leader to build on the school’s strengths, empower staff, engage families and lead a thriving school community into its next chapter.

If you are ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, staff and families, we would love to hear from you.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Model faith in action
• Develop and shape a shared vision focussed on providing quality educational experiences and learning outcomes for all students
• Nurture positive relationships between students, teachers, and all other stakeholders
• Support and monitor the learning and growth of effective teachers
• Set high standards for students and staff performance.

EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• Practising Catholic active in the life of a Eucharistic community, with an understanding of their baptismal call to share and witness the good news of Jesus Christ
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and create a shared improvement agenda that aligns with system priorities and embeds an evidence-based practice with high expectations for student learning and teacher practice.
• Proven strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated capacity to build solid trusting relationships with students, staff, families, and all stakeholders
• An ability to effectively analyse and respond to student data on Catholic identity, academic performance, behaviour, and wellbeing to enhance learning outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively optimise the school’s human, financial and physical resources to deliver high quality organisational and educational outcomes
• Demonstrated understanding of relevant legislative and legal frameworks including equity and diversity, work health and safety and performance management principles in the management of staff and the capacity to implement relevant plans and policies to ensure strong governance
• Experience in the role of Religious Education Coordinator (primary schools), or in the roles of Ministry Coordinator and/or Leader of Learning Religion (secondary schools) (Desirable)
• Experience working across more than one school setting (Desirable)
• Active participation and leadership in education forums (i.e. Principal/Assistant Principal Professional Associations/Networks) (Desirable)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualifications as a four-year trained teacher or Master of Education qualification (or approved as Threeyear trained due to significant prior experience as a Teacher within the system).
• Postgraduate qualifications (Category E) in Religious Education, Theological Studies, or a willingness to enrol and complete within four years of appointment
• Postgraduate qualifications (Category E) in Educational Leadership combined with a minimum of ten years teaching experience or an equivalent combination of experience, training, and achievement
• Active NESA Accreditation
• Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) number
• Completion of anaphylaxis training.

Applications close: Sunday 2nd September 2026 at 11.59pm

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation.