Principal, St Anthony’s Catholic College, (P-12, dual campus, 1500 students) Townsville, QLD

Are you seeking:

• the opportunity to lead one of the larger Catholic P–12 Colleges in Queensland, with more than 1,500 students across two dedicated campuses?
• a substantial principalship offering the breadth and complexity of leadership experience that comes with responsibility for the full Prep–Year 12 educational journey?
• the opportunity to lead a Catholic College with a strong Franciscan heritage, while enjoying the lifestyle and opportunities offered by North Queensland’s major regional city?

Townsville Catholic Education(opens in new tab) (TCE) supports 29 schools within the Diocese, located throughout a diverse region of North Queensland, extending west to Mount Isa, south to Proserpine, and north to Ingham.

St Anthony’s Catholic College(opens in new tab) is part of the system of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Townsville.

Located in Townsville’s growing Northern Beaches, the College is a thriving P-12 co-educational College educating more than 1,500 students across dedicated primary and secondary campuses.

Its Franciscan heritage shapes a strong culture of faith, belonging, service and community, alongside a commitment to excellence in learning.

Living in Townsville

Set on the tropical coast of North Queensland, Townsville is a major regional city of more than 206,000 people and the largest city in regional Queensland outside the state’s south-east. It blends the energy of a thriving regional city with the warmth of a welcoming community.

With Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, Townsville combines the services and opportunities of a major regional centre with an outdoor-focused North Queensland lifestyle.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the College website at https://www.sacc.catholic.edu.au/(opens in new tab) and the TCE website at https://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/(opens in new tab)

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Position Overview

Position Title: Principal

Reports to: Education Consultant

Position Purpose

The purpose of the Principal in Catholic education is, first and foremost, to serve as a faith-filled educational leader, called to lead the evangelising mission of the Church through Catholic schooling. The Principal acts as the chief educator, faith witness, and formation leader.

Working in an often complex, challenging, and changing environment, the Principal is responsible for leading, at the school level, the school’s overall educational and spiritual functioning, ensuring that processes are in place for continuous curriculum excellence, instructional growth, and school renewal.

The Principal provides leadership to all employees – ‘managing the school of today, but conscious of the needs of tomorrow’ – while guiding the educational direction, theological development and holistic human flourishing of the school community.

At St Anthony’s, this leadership responsibility extends across a large and complex P–12 environment, requiring the Principal to provide coherent whole-of-College leadership while recognising the distinct educational, pastoral and operational needs of the primary and secondary settings.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description. You will also be briefed on the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

In matters relating to the day-to-day performance, professional development, and appraisal of the role, this position reports directly to the Education Consultant, who acts as a primary support and professional growth partner. Under systemic and employer governance frameworks, the employer’s ultimate delegate is the Executive Director.

Important consultative, collaborative, and directive relationships also exist with the local Parish Priest, and with the senior management personnel, school boards, and committees within Townsville Catholic Education.

Reason for Vacancy

The current principal, Mr Barry Horner, is retiring. He has been a longstanding employee with TCE, across multiple schools.

Commencement

While negotiable, it is anticipated that 11^th January 2027 will be the commencement date.

Location and Travel

St Anthony’s Catholic College is in Deeragun in Townsville’s Northern Beaches. The College operates across two campuses approximately 600 metres apart: Padua Campus (Primary, Prep–Year 6) on 5.5 hectares and Assisi Campus (Secondary, Years 7–12) on 12.7 hectares. The role will require engagement across both campuses and, from time to time, travel within the Townsville Diocese.

Conditions of Employment

• The salary is $225,389 with 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging options.
• 12.75% superannuation employer contribution
• Relocation assistance is available, if required.
• The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence, with the willingness and capacity to travel within the Diocese.
• The successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check. We will also conduct criminal history and bankruptcy checks.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• Committed to the Catholic faith and an active member of a Catholic Eucharistic community.
• Substantial and recent leadership experience in Catholic education (either primary or secondary), evidenced by:
  • The ability to develop and mentor others within a professional learning culture.
  • Deep knowledge of contemporary pedagogy, curriculum design and student wellbeing strategies.
  • The ability to lead continuous improvement and innovation, using data-informed practice to strengthen teaching, learning and student outcomes.
  • The capacity to inspire excellence and model inclusive, values-driven leadership.
• The leadership capability to lead effectively within a large and complex school environment, building alignment and collaboration across diverse teams.
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to articulate school goals and directions objectively to all stakeholders.
• Appropriate tertiary qualification with registration or eligibility for registration with Queensland College of Teachers; as well as accreditation to teach Religious Education in a Catholic school.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1594-71. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest.

All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to Lauren Minter (0421 364 240), John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here (opens in new tab)to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the TCE schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference; and a faith-based reference with a Catholic priest or religious; both prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• While a face-to-face meeting is preferred, the selection committee will provide an option of an online interview in circumstances where a person is unable to visit for the initial meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Executive Director and her team, unless you instruct otherwise.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’(opens in new tab).
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• People are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement(opens in new tab) which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.