Be the founding Principal of a new school 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a thriving Catholic school community from the ground up, creating its culture, programs, and identity in partnership with families, staff, and the parish. Located in a rapidly growing region in the City of Greater Bendigo, CESL invites progressive and courageous school leaders to take up the challenge of establishing St Thomas Aquinas Primary School, Huntly.  

As founding Principal, you will: 

• Oversee the design and construction of a contemporary learning environment 

• Shape the identity, culture and operational foundations of a new school build 

• Establish a welcoming and inclusive school culture that supports faith, wellbeing, and excellence 

• Recruit and inspire a committed staff team aligned with strong Catholic values, educational excellence and community engagement 

• Collaborate closely with CESL and community stakeholders to ensure strategic planning, compliance and sustainable growth 

Why lead at St Thomas Aquinas, Huntly? 

• Shape every aspect of a new school with the support of CESL 

• Join our mission to provide exceptional Catholic education in one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regions 

• Lead a school where Magnify Sandhurst drives evidence-based teaching, strong literacy and numeracy, and calm, focused classrooms. 

• Supported by a collaborative network of 51 Principals across the Sandhurst Diocese 

• Lead with confidence, backed by CESL’s commitment to your professional development and wellbeing 

About you 

You are a proven leader with exceptional vision and the ability to thrive in a start-up environment. You bring: 

• Leadership experience in Catholic education 

• A commitment to fostering strong Catholic identity and community connections 

• The ability to build culture, inspire teams and manage complex projects 

• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills 

• Team-building and strategic leadership capabilities 

• A Master’s degree in education or related field (or commitment to commence) 

• Registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (or equivalent) 

 Click here to view the St Thomas Aquinas principal opportunity prospectus. 

About Magnify Sandhurst  

In 2025, in an Australian first, a comprehensive and exciting new learning and teaching program was simultaneously launched across 51 Catholic schools in the Sandhurst Diocese. Magnify Sandhurst is a comprehensive program designed to bring measurable improvements in every school. With explicit teaching practices based on the Science of Learning, the Magnify Sandhurst program combines evidence-based pedagogy, a strong behaviour curriculum and the ongoing professional development of our staff to support each student's unique needs, strengths and goals. It’s an exciting time to be in Catholic Education! Learn more about Magnify Sandhurst.  

Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CESL)   

In Catholic Education Sandhurst, you’ll find a network of 51 schools, six early Learning Centres in large regional centres like Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga, and in smaller communities where making people feel welcome is our specialty.  

We are committed to working in partnership with leaders, students and families, providing innovation and excellence; inspired by the Catholic story. Our motto is ‘Every Student, Every Teacher, Every School, Every Day’.  

Diversity, inclusion and child safety   

CESL embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children.   

Applications close on Monday, 4 August 2025.  

Interviews to be held the week of Monday, 18 August 2025.  

Please ensure your application includes a cover letter, resume and a document addressing the Key Responsibilities within the Position Description.  

If you are interested in learning more about Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd or registering for future opportunities, please visit our website here.  

For application assistance, please review our application guide here.