Principal, St Mary Mackillop College, Tuggeranong ACT

Location: St Mary Mackillop College, Tuggeranong ACT
Closing date: Sunday, 15 June at 11:55 pm
Commencement date: January 2026

About the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited

The Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited (CECG) is a leading education provider in the Canberra and southern NSW region. We have city, regional, rural, coastal and remote work locations covering 88,000 square kilometres from Pambula in the south to Goulburn and Crookwell in the north and west to Lake Cargelligo. The System is comprised of 29 schools and nine early learning centres in the ACT and 27 schools in NSW. We educate approximately 24,000 students and engage over 4,000 staff.

CECG is among Australia’s leading education systems for teacher professional learning and development. This has been achieved through the development and implementation of Catalyst, an evidence-based professional learning program based on the Science of Learning and Science of Reading Principles. The program has been developed in collaboration with leading experts such as Dr Lorraine Hammond, Jenny Donovan, Natalie Wexler, Michael Roberts and Toni Hatten-Roberts, amongst others and provides teachers with a suite of curated resources to support development, growth and excellence in teaching and learning.

About the role
Principals of Catholic schools are called to live and promote our Vision, to share and witness to our Catholic faith and traditions, build inclusive communities and deliver contemporary quality learning opportunities for every person.

St Mary MacKillop College is Canberra’s largest secondary school, operating across two campuses with years 7 to 9 based on the Padua Campus at Wanniassa and Years 10 to 12 are based on the St Peter’s Campus at Isabella Plains.  The two campuses are approximately five kilometres apart and both boast start-of-the-art facilities including commercial kitchens, textile and art studios, sproting facilities, music rooms, theatre and trades centre.

"Faith and Courage", the college motto, reflects and honours Saint Mary MacKillop after whom the College is named.

The team is trained in the Science of Learning including in Direct Instruction programs such as Spelling Mastery, Connecting Mathematics Concepts and Initialit. Teaching staff have an Instructional Coach trained by Associate Professor Lorraine Hammond and/or Toni Hatten-Roberts. They are supported through access to training in the Writing Revolution, La Trobe University’s SOLAR program. The school works alongside curriculum writers for Ochre Education and implement trauma informed approaches to education through the Berry St Education Model.

The Principal leads a team of 261 employees and a student cohort of 2,100*.

Catholic Education is seeking candidates who can commit to the purpose of our schools, namely “To be leading Catholic communities that nurture each person's God-given potential through teaching and service.”

CECG is also looking for a Principal who will actively engage with the community and grow school enrolments under their leadership.

*Enrolment numbers correct at the time of publication.

Benefits and Opportunities

• Financial assistance for relocation purposes.
• A world-class professional learning through Catalyst.
• Attractive remuneration package.
• Salary packaging options.
• Access to the staff wellbeing program and choice of two Employee Assistance Program providers.
• Opportunities to further develop professionally as an educational leader.
• Make a positive difference in the lives of staff, students, parents and the broader community.
• 24 weeks of paid parental leave for the primary carer.
• Up to 14 weeks of paid parental leave for the non-primary career.

 Applications must include:

• Cover letter includes statements against the five leadership practices outlined in the Applicant Information.
• Resume
• Up to three referees, one of whom is your Catholic Priest from your own parish, using the Parish Priest Referee Report.

BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, CONTACT AMY TALLON ON 0459 943 831 TO OBTAIN CRITICAL INFORMATION.

Other Eligibility Criteria

• You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to be eligible to apply for this position.
• Appointment is subject to satisfactory employment screening for child related employment in accordance with CECG policy.