Principal Tumuaki

St Mary's Catholic School (Papakura); Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

St Mary’s Catholic School, Papakura, seeks an inspirational Catholic Principal from Term 1, 2027. A vibrant Year 0-6 school serving about 400 learners in South Auckland, the role focuses on strengthening faith, academic excellence, and broad learning beyond the classroom.

The successful candidate will lead with warmth and integrity, deepen relationships with parish and whānau, and implement strategic plans in collaboration with a strong leadership team and Board.

Qualifications

• Leadership in a school setting
• Experience in faith-based education is desirable
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for faith, learning and community.
• Lead teaching quality and professional learning to drive student progress.
• Oversee governance, budget, site planning and partnerships with parish and Board.
• Foster holistic education across faith, arts, sport, and languages.

Job description

About the role

Together we learn, we pray, we serve

St Mary’s Catholic School, Papakura seeks an inspirational, practising Catholic Principal from Term 1, 2027. Our vibrant Year 0-6 school serves approximately 400 learners in a diverse South Auckland community.

Faith, strong parish connections and our values of respect, care and responsibility underpin our vision of confident, connected, actively involved lifelong learners living in relationship with Christ.

We seek a visible, approachable leader who provides a clear vision that builds on our strengths, values and traditions. Working with dedicated staff, a strong leadership team, supportive whānau, parish and an engaged Board, you will:

• Strengthen Catholic special character and partnerships with our parish and families, supporting students to deepen their faith and relationship with Christ
• Drive academic excellence and student progress through excellent teaching, professional learning and innovation, using evidence to guide improvement and proven senior leadership experience to deliver strategic outcomes
• Champion the whole child through a broad curriculum encompassing faith, academic learning, sport, culture and the Arts, with inclusive support for additional learning needs
• Prioritise child safeguarding and a safe, caring environment, responding with fairness, consistency and compassion
• Grow staff capability, value existing expertise and protect wellbeing through realistic workload expectations
• Lead with warmth, integrity, sound judgement and excellent communication, guiding change collaboratively
• Give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through culturally responsive leadership, local partnerships and curriculum
• Bring strong organisational, administrative, financial and operational management, partnering with the Board on governance, strategic planning, site redevelopment and sustainability

Help shape St Mary’s future through faith, learning and community.

Sector Primary and intermediate (Years 1–8) / kura tuatahi

Position Full-time, Permanent

Learning areas English, Health and PE, Learning languages, Mathematics and statistics, Science, Social sciences, Te reo Māori, Technology, The arts