Principal (Primary)

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong; Campbell Town; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School, Campbelltown, seeks a Principal to lead a Christ-centred learning community and advance faith formation, academic excellence and holistic student growth.

The successful candidate will model Catholic faith in action, drive teaching quality, and partner with staff, parish and parents to realise the school’s mission, under the St John’s Difference.

Qualifications

• Current accreditation to teach with NESA is essential.
• Postgraduate study in a relevant discipline is required.
• Accreditation for Senior Leadership in a Catholic School (Category E) is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, design and manage high-quality teaching and learning for all students.
• Build staff capacity through professional learning, feedback and performance management.
• Align school vision with the diocese and regulatory requirements; oversee governance and compliance.

Skills

Catholic leadership

Educational leadership

Staff development

Strategic planning

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance understanding

Education

NESA teaching accreditation

Postgraduate study

Senior Leadership accreditation (Category E)

Job description

The Executive Director of Schools, Diocese of Wollongong, invites applications from suitably experienced leaders for the Principal position at St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Primary School, Campbelltown commencing at the beginning of the 2027 school year.

In the Diocese of Wollongong, Principals play a significant role in creating vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. Our principals have access to:

• excellent professional & leadership development programs
• first-class support from the Catholic Education Office (CEO) across all critical areas through our culture of connected autonomy
• a professional mentor, funded by the CEO
• a platform to contribute to the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

St John the Evangelist Catholic Primary School is a three-streamed co-educational school in Campbelltown with a legacy dating back to 1849. The school's identity is deeply rooted in the Good Samaritan tradition and a commitment to The St John’s Difference. They foster a Christ-centered environment where the spiritual growth of students is integrated with academic excellence. Guided by the school motto, ‘Walk in Peace and Joy’ they strive to be a vital part of the wider Church community, ensuring that Gospel values are not just taught, but lived every day through service, compassion, and prayer.

The St John’s community is defined by a shared responsibility between the parish, staff, and parents to help every child reach their full potential in the light of Christ. The school provides a safe, nurturing place where students are empowered to grow in faith, wisdom, and a passion for lifelong learning.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

To achieve success in the role, the successful candidate will be someone who can:

• Model Catholic faith in action and evidence a deep understanding and commitment to the mission and purpose of the catholic school within the broader evangelising mission of the church.
• Develop a culture of effective teaching and learning, by leading, designing and managing the quality of the educational experiences of all students.
• Build the capacity of staff within a professional, collaborative learning community through the provision of effective professional learning opportunities, regular feedback and performance management.
• Manage innovation and change to ensure that the school’s vision and strategic plan for improvement are aligned, actioned and realised.
• Display clear understanding of governance responsibilities and ensure that school processes meet system, NESA and legislative requirements.
• Recognise and build on the uniqueness of the school, church and local community to develop a mutually supportive, collaborative and trusting relationship with stakeholders to ensure their engagement in the life of the school.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current accreditation to teach with NESA
• Post-graduate study in a relevant discipline.
• Accreditation for Senior Leadership in a Catholic School (Category E) in accordance with the ‘Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Systemic Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong’ policy.

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CLEARANCE

This role is classified as child related work and therefore we require a working with children clearance to be completed prior to your commencement with us.

Closing date: Thursday 17 September 2026 at 11:55pm

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong is unwavering in our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. This is at the heart of everything we do.

Every child has the right to be informed, heard, respected, empowered and to feel safe.

As school communities and as individuals, we commit to keeping children and young people safe, and to work together with them to create cultures that honour dignity and enrich wellbeing.