Principalship Sacred Heart Primary School, Highgate

Principalship at Sacred Heart Primary School, Highgate

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia Limited (CEWA) invites applications for the Principalship role at Sacred Heart Primary School based in Highgate commencing 1 January 2027. 

School Profile

Sacred Heart Primary School is a vibrant Catholic, co‑educational parish school from Pre‑Kindergarten to Year 6. Founded in 1897 by the Our Lady of the Missions Sisters, the school continues to be guided by its enduring motto, “Faith, Truth, Loyalty”, which reflects a deep commitment to Gospel values and lifelong learning.

Located in the heart of Perth’s inner city, Sacred Heart serves a richly multicultural community across Highgate, Mount Lawley, Perth, East Perth and Maylands. The school is known for its warm, inclusive culture and strong sense of belonging.

Sacred Heart offers a holistic education that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical development of every child. A strong pastoral care program, grounded in Christian values, supports students throughout their learning journey. Student leadership is actively fostered through the Student Council and class-based leadership opportunities.

The school prioritises strong Literacy and Numeracy foundations through high‑quality teaching, targeted intervention and extension programs such as Reading Recovery, EMU and STRIVE. Digital Technologies are embedded across all learning areas.

Specialist programs in Music, Italian, Science, Art, Library and Physical Education enrich the curriculum. Sacred Heart also participates in the Performing Arts Festival and Interschool Sports, offering students diverse opportunities to grow and excel.

With a long and proud history, a strong community spirit, and a commitment to excellence in Catholic education, Sacred Heart Primary School continues to inspire students to grow, achieve and contribute with faith and purpose.

In addition to fulfilling the Duties and Responsibilities of the Principal, the community is seeking a leader who demonstrates the following qualities:

Catholic Identity

• Authentic and visible faith leader who witnesses to the Gospel and strengthens Catholic identity through prayer, liturgy, sacramental life, and engagement with parish, charism and tradition.
• Capacity to foster a lived culture of faith across the school community through staff formation, student spiritual growth, and leadership grounded in mission, Catholic Social Teaching and sacramentality.

Education

• Accomplished instructional leader committed to excellence, using data-informed practice, contemporary pedagogy and a strong classroom presence to improve teaching quality and sustain high student achievement.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead inclusive and responsive learning environments that meet diverse student needs through early intervention, extension, targeted support, and a strong culture of staff professional learning.

Community 

• Highly relational, visible and approachable leader who builds trust, connection and belonging within a close-knit community, engaging authentically with students, staff, families, the parish and wider community.
• Skilled communicator who brings clarity, discernment and confidence to parent engagement, strengthening alignment with the school’s vision and priorities.

Stewardship 

• Strategic and financially astute leader who ensures long-term sustainability through effective resource management, enrolment growth, and stewardship of the school’s heritage and facilities.
• Builder of a collaborative and accountable culture that promotes staff wellbeing, leadership development, professional growth and continuous school improvement.

Selection Criteria:

• Practising Catholic and experienced educator committed to Catholic Education.
• Accredited for Leadership of a Catholic School Community or equivalent.
• A collaborative and future-focused leader who understands and supports the strategic priorities of the broader Catholic Education system. 
• A relevant Master’s degree (or working towards completion) with the ability to apply advanced leadership and management principles to both the day-to-day and long-term leadership of a school is highly desirable.
• Current Teacher Registration for Western Australia (TRBWA).
• Current WA Working with Children Check (WA WWCC).

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration based on school size and enrolment numbers.
• Additional 2.5% superannuation above the guarantee.
• Vehicle available for personal use with co-contribution.
• System Leader Renewal Leave.
• Additional leave for wellbeing and Catholic Day.
• Access to high-quality professional learning and development.
• Discounted rates on corporate health insurance and wellbeing initiatives.

Applicant Instructions:

Applicants will need to submit an application that includes a cover letter addressed to the Executive Director, a curriculum vitae, contact information for professional referees and your Parish Priest, and a leadership SAO. All applications must be submitted through the website, which will require you to create or log in to your personal profile.

Please refer to the following documentation for further information:

Principal Application Guide

Provision for Principal

Duties and Responsibilities of the Principal

To visit the school website, follow this link: shpsh.wa.edu.au

To apply for this position, please click on the APPLY NOW button. Applications close at 2pm, Wednesday 8 July 2026.  

For any queries, please contact Tania Lal, Principal Employment Advisor, on (08) 9380 1824 or email principalappointment@cewa.edu.au. 

All employees of Catholic Education Western Australia are required to support the Catholic ethos in the performance of their duties. Catholic Education Western Australia also encourages applications from people of all cultural backgrounds, First Nations people, and individuals with disabilities or medical conditions who meet the requirements of the position. To be eligible to apply, you must be legally permitted to work in Australia.