Principal

Principal – Primary Years

Moerlina School – Mount Claremont, Perth WA

1.0 FTE | Initial 3-year appointment | Commencing January 2026 (negotiable) | Salary on request

About Moerlina School

Moerlina is an independent, non-denominational primary school celebrating 50 years of progressive education in Perth's western suburbs. We are small by design and high in expectations. Original thought is valued, persistence is rewarded, play and the natural world are integral, and learning is rich, meaningful, and evidence based.

Our culture is anchored by four guiding principles:

Calm Rhythm — Clear cadence and purposeful structure, where students are calm, focused and engaged in what they're learning.

Exploring Deeply — Academic rigour, sophisticated inquiry and no box-ticking. We pursue deep learning at the intersections of creativity, lateral thinking, innovation and scientific enquiry.

Raising the Bar — Tenacity and every child doing and being their best. Individual strengths and talents are noticed, nurtured and extended.

Sophisticated Teaching — Curious inquiry, reflective practice and professional leadership. Our educators are passionate, widely experienced and trusted to innovate.

Positive partnerships between staff, students and families are central to who we are. A strong sense of belonging allows students to take intelligent risks, extend themselves and achieve at a high level—often beyond the classroom and out in nature. A strong culture of empowerment, trust and high expectations provides educators with the professional agency and autonomy necessary to delivering diverse and engaging learning opportunities for all students. We promote a positive and dynamic work environment that attracts and retains high quality staff who are committed to our shared values, collaborative approaches, ongoing professional learning, distributed leadership, and mutual wellbeing.

The Role

Moerlina School seeks an innovative, community-minded Principal (Primary Years) to steward our vision, lead with calm authority, and drive continuous improvement and sustainable growth. If you are a principled, future-focused leader who can hold calm in the centre while lifting ambition at the edges, we would love to hear from you. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Working closely with Council, staff, students and families, the Principal's key areas of responsibility and accountability are:

Teaching and Learning:

· Lead and inspire a culture of challenge and support that enables effective teaching and fosters independent, enthusiastic, and lifelong learners who have agency and can thrive.

· Ensure an enriched, comprehensive curriculum with academic rigour and clear learning progression.

· Champion deep work, evidence-informed practice, and a culture of continuous professional growth and learning that lifts outcomes.

· Cultivate a culture of professional empowerment, reflective practice and distributed leadership—encouraging educators to lead, inquire, take thoughtful risks and share evidence of impact.

Strategic and Operational Leadership:

· Develop and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies that secure the school's future.

· Ensure resources, facilities, and staff are well managed to provide both a safe, effective learning environment and long-term sustainability.

· Lead with fairness, ethical practice, empathy, and emotional intelligence, modelling resilience and wellbeing.

· Demonstrate clarity of purpose, consistency in values, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Community and Relationships:

· In partnership with the Moerlina School Council build a vibrant, well-connected community aligned to Moerlina's guiding principles.

· Strengthen partnerships within the school and across the wider community.

· Build a culture of inclusion and high expectations, leading with a relational focus that engages students, staff, families, and stakeholders in a shared vision.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

· Demonstrated educational leadership that builds calm, purposeful culture and delivers high student achievement through deep learning and high expectations.

· Proven capacity in business and financial management to deliver strategic organisational outcomes and sustainable growth.

· Strong oral and written communication, with excellent interpersonal skills to build productive relationships across a diverse school community.

· Capacity to respond with flexibility, creativity, and sound judgement in complex situations, ensuring continuity of learning, wellbeing, and operational effectiveness.

· Track record of leading inclusive, innovative and progressive teaching and learning, including targeted professional learning and evidence-informed practice.

Eligibility Requirements

Recent experience as Principal, Deputy Principal or equivalent leadership role.

· Tertiary qualifications in Education.

· TRBWA registration.

· Current Working with Children Check.

· National Police Check.

· HR class driver's licence (or equivalent) is desirable.

Application Process

Please submit a single PDF including:

· Cover letter (max 2 pages) addressing your overarching personal attributes and alignment to Moerlina's guiding principles.

· Statement addressing the key areas of responsibility and accountability and knowledge, skills and experience (max 3 pages) with concise evidence of impact.

· Comprehensive CV including:

o Educational leadership experience;

o Knowledge of the WA Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standard;

o Names and contact details of at least three current professional referees.

o Certified copies of relevant qualifications and TRBWA registration.

Addressed to: The Chair of Council Submit to: Closing date: Saturday 18 October 2025

All candidates are subject to screening against child safety standards. The Selection Panel may contact nominated referees and other relevant persons; records of those discussions will remain confidential.

Load & Tenure: This is a full-time role (1.0 FTE) with a teaching load of 0.2 FTE. Moerlina recognises the value of flexibility in leadership and will consider job share or part-time arrangements for suitably qualified candidates. The initial appointment would be for a period of 3 years.

Moerlina School is a community where every individual is valued and supported to thrive. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the world our students are growing into. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living with disability, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich our school culture, strengthen our teaching and learning, and help us foster a calm, purposeful, and inclusive environment where children and adults alike can explore deeply, raise the bar, and flourish.

Process & Conditions

Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email.

Short-listed applicants will be contacted to arrange interviews.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.

The School Council reserves the right to appoint by invitation, not appoint, re-advertise, or vary terms prior to appointment.

Applicant information will be retained only for the duration of the recruitment process; records for unsuccessful candidates will then be destroyed.

The successful applicant will commence duties for Term 1, 2026 (date negotiable). Enquiries: Council Chair – Principal –