Principal - St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School, Doreen

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 PAUL THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, DOREEN

St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School opened in February 2015 as a Foundation to Year 6 school. As a Catholic school, its values are grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The school strives to live out His message through everyday learning and community life, exploring the relevance of faith as students grow together. St Paul the Apostle embraces its call to service through social action initiatives and works closely with the wider community to support those in need. The school is part of the vibrant Christ the Light Parish, which encompasses Doreen, Mernda, Whittlesea and Kinglake.

As a learning community, St Paul the Apostle believes in the potential of every child. The school emphasises effective, creative and dynamic learning while delivering the Victorian Curriculum. Through a culture of thinking, it nurtures curious and questioning minds, drawing on the research of Project Zero at Harvard University and Dr Ron Ritchhart to develop learners who think deeply, analyse critically and identify what matters most.

St Paul the Apostle works in partnership with parents, families, the parish and the local community, recognising and respecting the important role each plays in the development of its students. The school warmly welcomes prospective families to its community and invites them to share in the learning journey.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

St Paul the Apostle, Doreen is named after Paul the Apostle, who lived a life of radical conversion, missionary courage and unwavering service — transformed from a persecutor of the early Church into one of its greatest evangelists, devoted to spreading the Gospel message of Christ's love. The school's vision ensures that social justice, service to others and inclusive belonging is lived.

St Paul the Apostle, Doreen dreams of a school that builds children's capacity to think, to be both independent and collaborative, and that nurtures creativity and innovation, giving every child the opportunity to fly. It is a school with high expectations, guided by reliable data and always true to the children in its care — one that values wellbeing, builds resilience, empowerment and confidence, and helps children find a voice to build a better world. It is a learning community that partners with families, sharing a common vision for every child's success, and where teachers and staff model lifelong learning and build strong relationships. Grounded in the values of faith, it is a welcoming school where all belong and the call to the service of others is lived out daily — a school where, one day, parents will say, “they know my child.” The St Paul the Apostle, Doreen community continually strives to support students and their families throughout their primary school journey.

The School has a student cohort of 450. MACS is seeking a Principal who will continue to nurture the strong relationships and actively engage with the community.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

Please refer to the position description for further details about the role and the Key Selection Criteria.

Click APPLY to submit your application.

If you have any queries about this role, they can be directed to our team by email principalappointments@macs.vic.edu.au

All applicants are required to submit a copy or record of:

1. Certified evidence of Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Registration (including current criminal history check) or current Digital VIT Registration Card.
2. Certified evidence of academic qualifications – inclusive of tertiary qualifications, academic qualifications additional to initial teacher education (Master’s degree or five-year equivalent) and accreditation to teach and or lead Religious Education in a Catholic School.
3. Current resume
4. Cover letter
5. Document addressing the Key Selection Criteria limited to four to five pages.
6. The names and contact details of three referees including the Catholic Priest of the Parish you regularly attend on a Sunday. These professional referees will be required to make relevant verbal responses regarding the applicant’s capacity to meet the specific local selection criteria.
7. Certified statements of service from current and previous employers are required from applicants who are currently not employed in Victorian Catholic education.

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”

Privacy Collection Notice – Job Applicants

MACS collects your Personal information to assess your application and suitability for employment. By submitting your Personal information, you consent to the use and disclosure of your Personal information for the purpose of being considered for employment at MACS. Applicants can withdraw their applications at any time during the recruitment process

For further details, please see the full Privacy Collection Notice here

COMMENCEMENT DATE: Term 1,2027

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 4:00pm Monday, 10 August 2026

Please feel free to submit your application ahead of the closing date as applications will be reviewed throughout the advertising period.