Principalship Sacred Heart School, Beagle Bay

Principalship for Sacred Heart School, Beagle Bay

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia Limited (CEWA) invites applications for the Principalship role at Sacred Heart School based in Beagle Bay commencing 
1 January 2026. 

School Profile

Sacred Heart School is a Catholic school located in the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community, 130 km north of Broome. Serving students from Kindergarten to Year 10, the school has an enrolment of 70, with 98% identifying as Indigenous and speaking Aboriginal English. Nyul Nyul is the language of the Traditional Owners of the area.

Each class is supported by an Aboriginal Teaching Assistant, contributing to a strong two-way learning model. The curriculum includes the Two-Way Science program, Bushranger and River Ranger Cadets, and weekly Nyul Nyul language lessons. The school also maintains an active City-Country Partnership, which strengthens learning through shared experiences, cultural exchange, and connection. In addition, the school hosts Moorrool Baab, a daily program for children aged 0 to 3 years as part of the AFaFE initiative.

Grounded in Gospel values, Sacred Heart provides holistic education focused on spiritual, academic, and emotional development. English is taught as a second language, with a strong emphasis on Literacy and Numeracy. Students engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities including sport, music, drama, and leadership programs.

The school works closely with families to improve attendance and promote positive parenting. Staff are trained in Trauma-Informed Practice and Positive Behaviour for Learning, fostering calm, inclusive classrooms and strong relationships across the community.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of the Principal, the community seeks a principal who:

Catholic Identity

• Demonstrated commitment to living and leading a faith-filled school environment by modelling Catholic Social Justice teachings, participating in parish and community events, and fostering a culture of prayer, celebration, and recognition of students’ achievements.
• Ability to nurture a Catholic community that is inclusive, welcoming, and responsive to the spiritual needs of students, staff, families, and the wider school community.

Education

• Proven ability to lead high-quality teaching and learning programs, including early childhood literacy initiatives (such as LAPS), and to be an active, child-focused presence in classrooms to support the holistic development of each student.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with teaching staff, including First Nations educators, to integrate culturally responsive practices and ensure all students’ learning is enriched through local and diverse cultural experiences.

Community

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a visible, approachable presence in the school, promoting positive relationships with students, staff, families, and the wider community.
• Proven ability to build meaningful partnerships with parents, local community members, and First Nations communities, ensuring their values, culture, and language inform and enhance student learning and school life.

Stewardship

• Demonstrated capacity to prioritise staff well-being, foster a supportive workplace culture, and lead by example with calm, flexible, and approachable leadership.
• Proven ability to manage school resources effectively, including the human, cultural, and physical resources of the school, to support the holistic growth and learning of every student.

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 Teachers 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 guarantee.
• Vehicle available for personal use with co-contribution.
• System Leaders 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 produce an application which 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 are received 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: https://www.cewa.edu.au/school-career/sacred-heart-school-broome/

To apply for this position please click on the APPLY NOW button. Applications close at 2.00pm Friday 17 October 2025.

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.