Principal

St Mary's Primary School, Ararat

The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) is seeking an inspiring and faith-filled leader to serve as the next Principal of St Mary's Primary School, Ararat.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a well established Catholic primary school with a proud history and a strong reputation within the Ararat community. Guided by the Gospel and committed to Learning for All, Fairness for All and Compassion for All, St Mary's is a welcoming and inclusive community where every student is known, valued and supported to flourish.

As Principal, you will build on the school's strong foundations while shaping its future direction, ensuring every student experiences outstanding learning, wellbeing and faith formation.

Working in partnership with students, staff, families, parish and Catholic Education Ballarat, you will:

• Strengthen the Catholic identity and mission of the school.
• Foster a culture of excellence, belonging and authentic relationships.
• Lead high-quality learning and teaching focused on achieving the best outcomes for every student.
• Build strong partnerships with families, parish and the wider Ararat community.
• Develop and empower staff through professional growth, collaboration and shared leadership.
• Steward the school's people, resources and facilities to support sustainable growth and continuous improvement.

About St Mary's Primary School

The school nurtures the academic, spiritual, social and emotional development of each child through strong relationships and a shared commitment to student growth and wellbeing.

With enrolments projected to grow from 114 students in 2026 to 120 students in 2027, St Mary's provides a personalised learning environment across six classes, supported by a dedicated team.

Teaching and learning are underpinned by a Learning Community Model and Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI), complemented by specialist programs in Visual Arts, Science, Digital Technologies, Chinese and Physical Education. The school also provides evidence-based interventions in literacy, speech and social-emotional learning to support the diverse needs of students.

Reflecting its commitment to contemporary education, St Mary's recently completed a significant refurbishment in 2025, providing modern and engaging learning environments that support student success and wellbeing.

About You

We are seeking:

• An authentic Catholic leader who inspires others through faith, service and witness
• A visionary educational leader committed to excellence in learning and teaching
• A relationship-focused leader who fosters collaboration, belonging and community engagement
• A strategic thinker who can lead improvement, innovation and sustainable growth
• An individual who develops people, nurtures talent and builds a positive professional culture
• A steward who leads responsibly and ensures the ongoing success of the school community

Why join DOBCEL?

Supported by the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL), you will join a system united by a shared vision of pursuing fullness of life for all and committed to building a high-performing system of Catholic schools.

As a Principal, you will be empowered to:

• Lead within a culture where collaboration is the driving principle of planning, innovation and school improvement.
• Foster strong engagement, wellbeing and belonging for students, staff and families, creating communities where every person is valued and able to flourish.
• Build a school that sits at the heart of its community, strengthening partnerships with families, parishes and local stakeholders.
• Champion research informed learning and teaching practices that promote deeper learning, wellbeing and excellence in student outcomes.
• Steward people, resources and future opportunities responsibly, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success for your school community.

With access to experienced system leaders, professional learning opportunities and strong organisational support, you will be empowered to lead boldly, innovate confidently and make a lasting contribution to Catholic Education across the Diocese of Ballarat.

Applications Close
20 November 2026, 12pm (Midday)

Commencement
January 2027

Please download the Principal Information and Application Guide for further information.

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact:

Janet Claassen
Education Consultant – Mid-North
M: 0419 650 927
E: jclaassen@dobcel.catholic.edu.au 

James Murphy
Talent Acquisition Partner
M: 0488 148 612
E: jmurphy@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

Guided by our vision of “the pursuit of fullness of life for all,” DOBCEL is committed to inclusion and the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all children and young people in our care. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who support Catholic education and value the unique contributions of each person.