Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Principal - Range 5
Occupation: Principal and assistant principal
Location: Barwon South West - Warrnambool
Reference: 1511248
(a) Vision and values
Demonstrated capacity to create a shared vision, define and gain acceptance of school goals and set and communicate expectations for effective performance.
(b) Teaching and Learning
Demonstrated ability to manage the quality of teaching and create a positive culture of challenge, support and collaboration.
(c) Improvement, Innovation and Change
Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies and lead innovation and change.
(d) Management
Demonstrated capacity to ensure that the school's human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.
(e) Development
Demonstrated capacity to create a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and commitment to their own learning and wellbeing.
(f) Engagement
Demonstrated capacity to develop positive relationships with students, parents/families and the local community and participate in and contribute to system-level activities.
(g) Community Criterion
Demonstrated ability and commitment to establish an inclusive learning environment by:
- fostering relationships with the broader community and stakeholders
- developing innovative programs aimed at students achieving their full potential
- building the capacity of the whole school community to cater for the diverse social and emotional needs of students
The role of the principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community.
At the same time, the principal, as executive officer of the school council, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters, that the decisions of the council are implemented and that adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.
The principal is accountable for the overall management and development of the school within statewide guidelines and Government policies. A clear set of accountabilities, which distinguish their work from other members of the Teaching Service and the education community are set out in detail in the contract of employment.
The core accountabilities of all principals are to:
Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either:
Aintree North Primary School (interim name)
The Victorian School Building Authority is building a new primary school in Aintree. It will open for day one of Term 1 in 2027 and have places for up to 650 students, from Foundation to Grade 6.
This school will help meet increasing enrolment demand from a growing local population. It will help local students get high-quality education close to home.
The school is located at 10 Faldo Street, Aintree, 3336.
The principal is expected to be appointed by Term 2, 2026.
The 2027 school zones will be published online at findmyschool.vic.gov.au in Term 1, 2026.
The school will be named in the local Aboriginal language, in consultation with Traditional Owners, to celebrate and inspire a connection to Country. The department preferences Aboriginal language names for new schools.
Design renders and an indicative site plan will be available soon on the Victorian School Building Authority website: Aintree North Primary School (interim name) | schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au.
Aintree North Primary School Kindergarten (interim name) will be built next to the primary school at 14 Conway Circuit, Aintree North. It will open in 2027 and have at least 3 kindergarten rooms. An approved kindergarten provider will be appointed and announced in late 2026. All enrolment and program enquiries will be managed by the provider.
For further information visit- Aintree North Primary School (interim name) | schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au and Aintree North Primary School Kindergarten (interim name) | schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au)
Contact the New Schools and School Reorganisations unit with any queries: [email protected]]
The Principal of Aintree North Primary School (interim name) will have leadership qualities which ensure the effective operation of the school upon commencement, with responsibilities in the year prior to opening including to:
work collaboratively with relevant program areas across the Department of Education and consult with the community as required to make key decisions for the establishment of the new school
develop a whole-of-school culture of excellence and inclusion within the educational rationale for the new school;
develop a vision for learning and designing a framework for pedagogical approaches which maximise the opportunities presented by the inclusive and contemporary learning spaces;
design a school curriculum and organisational structures that will support achievement of the school's vision and values, including its focus on excellence and inclusion of students with disabilities;
develop an understanding of the design intent of the new school facilities;
create an identity for the school including determining the school logo and uniform;
select and employ staff with both the skills and mindset to ensure the vision of excellence and inclusion is achieved.
provide appropriate support for staff who are inspired to work collaboratively with the Principal, the staff and community to refine and implement the school's vision once in operation;
proactively engage with the local community to develop processes and systems which set the foundations for the new school to become a community hub that links families and children to services and support
provide learning opportunities and builds a vibrant supportive community;
develop a strategic approach to the professional learning of staff and the ongoing development of the school's culture of inclusion as it grows;
establish relationships and network with Principals of the other schools to support and learn from each other;
make any reasonable adjustments as requested by a student in accordance with the school's legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth);
work collaboratively with the department's central and regional offices, to select furniture, inclusive equipment, assistive technology and ICT equipment that supports the school's vision for learning and ensures the design intent of the learning spaces is realised; and
establish financial and IT systems in accordance with the department and school council requirements.
[Principal recruitment processes will be undertaken from Term 4, 2025, with appointed principals to commence on 20 April (day 1, Term 2) 2026. This will provide for a nine-month lead time prior to the new schools opening for day 1, Term 1, 2027.]