Principalship St Columba's Catholic Primary School, South Perth

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia Limited (CEWA) invites applications for the Principalship of St Columba's Catholic Primary School in South Perth, commencing in Term 3, 2026.

School Profile

St Columba’s Catholic Primary School is a co‑educational PK–6 school with a current enrolment of approximately 500 students. The school provides education for girls and boys from three‑year‑old Pre‑Kindergarten through to Year 6, with two classes at each year level, and offers Outside School Hours Care and Vacation Care to support families within the community.

The school serves the parish communities of St Columba’s, South Perth, and Holy Family, Como, and is committed to fostering a faith‑centred, engaging and inclusive learning environment grounded in positive and caring relationships.

Teaching and learning at St Columba’s are supported through a whole‑school approach to curriculum and the development of the whole child. Contemporary learning technologies are embedded across the school, with students and staff encouraged to confidently engage with a wide range of digital resources.

St Columba’s is a Science of Learning school offering a rich and diverse curriculum informed by research and data analysis. The school also provides specialist teaching in Physical Education, Music, Visual Arts, Science, Korean and Coding. Innovative learning opportunities are enhanced through the use of drones, LEGO and robotics. Students are also encouraged to participate in a broad range of extracurricular activities, including sport, music, dance and academic competitions.

The St Columba’s community is focused on nurturing the skills, competencies and behaviours that support lifelong learning. A dedicated and professional staff works collaboratively with a supportive Parish Priest and an engaged parent body to continually enhance the educational, spiritual and social opportunities available to all members of the school community.

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

Catholic Identity

• Leads with Christ-centred, compassionate, child-focused leadership, modelling Gospel values and nurturing a vibrant, faith-filled community.
• Builds strong parish partnerships, enriching spiritual life and demonstrating respect and compassion for all families.

Education

• Leads high-impact, evidence-based teaching by strengthening pedagogy, assessment, innovation, and staff development. 
• Demonstrates strong Early Years expertise and contemporary pedagogy, including the Early Years Learning Framework and Science of Learning, ensuring continuity and excellence across all classrooms. 

Community

• Leads a connected, inclusive St Columba’s community through strong relationships, respectful communication, and meaningful partnerships.
• Promotes the dignity and wellbeing of all by placing the child at the centre of decision‑making while nurturing staff, supporting families and strengthening engagement across the school and wider community.

Stewardship

• Leads with a Christ‑centred vision by fostering shared ownership across the community and ensuring the school is well‑resourced, financially sound, and aligned with the mission, history, and charism of St Columba’s.
• Demonstrates strong stewardship by supporting staff through sustainable practices, equitable resourcing, and professional growth, while strategically investing in facilities and leadership to enhance learning.

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: https://www.stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au/.

To apply for this position, please click on the APPLY NOW button. Applications close at 2:00pm, Thursday 2 April 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.