Principal

The Opportunity

Catholic Education South Australia is seeking an inspirational, faith‑filled and strategic leader to serve as Principal at Mary MacKillop Memorial School, Penola. This is a significant opportunity to lead a vibrant and welcoming Catholic primary school grounded in the Josephite charism and strong community relationships.

The Principal will provide courageous and compassionate leadership that strengthens Catholic identity, advances excellence in teaching and learning, and fosters a culture of belonging, wellbeing and continuous improvement. Working in partnership with families, parish, staff and the wider community, the Principal will lead the school with integrity, vision and a deep commitment to the mission of Catholic education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen the Catholic identity and mission of the school, ensuring faith, liturgy and religious education are experienced in meaningful and authentic ways.
• Drive high‑quality teaching and learning, using evidence‑informed practice and data to improve student outcomes and support every learner to flourish.
• Build a positive, collaborative and high‑performing staff culture, supporting professional learning, leadership development and wellbeing.
• Foster strong partnerships with families, parish and the wider community to support student learning, wellbeing and inclusion.
• Lead strategic planning, innovation and continuous improvement, aligning school priorities with system goals and the Living, Learning, Leading framework.
• Oversee effective governance, safeguarding, compliance and resource management, ensuring a safe, sustainable and well‑managed learning environment.

About You

You will be a committed Catholic leader who brings both faith and professional expertise to the role, with the capacity to lead a contemporary Catholic school community with confidence and humility. You will demonstrate:

• A deeply active, grounded faith and the ability to articulate and model Catholic leadership in a contemporary and authentic way.
• Proven experience as an educational leader, with a strong record of school improvement and enhancing student outcomes.
• A collaborative, relational leadership style, building trust and inspiring staff, students and families.
• Capability in leading staff performance, professional learning and leadership development within a supportive culture.
• Strong communication, organisational and strategic leadership skills, with the ability to lead change and manage complexity.

Please refer to the Position Description for further information 

About Us

We are Catholic Education South Australia with almost 9,500 staff who are Raising Hearts and Minds of more than 56,000 students across our 101 Catholic Schools. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we provide dynamic, innovative, and personalised learning in a Catholic context, from Early Years to Year 12. 

Mary MacKillop Memorial School is a Catholic primary school situated in the regional township of Penola, South Australia, with strong historical, spiritual and community connections. Founded in the spirit and legacy of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the school is deeply embedded in the life of the local parish and wider community, and is recognised for its welcoming, family-oriented culture.

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