Principal

Join a purpose-driven organisation who believes children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful.

Commencement: January 2026, or earlier by negotiation

Berry Street School Vison:

Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems.

About the School

The Berry Street School's vision is to create and sustain a safe and inclusive learning community where our students have access to high-quality education so they can thrive, achieve and belong.

Our School exists to provide high-quality education to young people with a history of adverse childhood experiences who are at risk of disengaging from their education. Our students may have significant gaps in academic achievement and have found it difficult to learn in a group setting, presenting with complex behaviours in school settings.

Role Context (abridged; full details in Candidate Information Pack)

The Berry Street School is a specialist independent secondary school with four campuses located in Ballarat, Morwell, Narre Warren and Shepparton. We offer an adaptation of the Victorian Curriculum for years 7–10, and the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) and Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) for years 11-12.

Position Duties and Responsibilities (abridged; full details in Candidate Information Pack)

The Principal of the Berry Street School embodies our commitment to excellence in educational leadership, governance and operational management.

The primary objectives are to:

• Drive Strategic Direction, Lead the development and delivery of the School's Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan, ensuring alignment across all four campuses.
• Champion Teaching Excellence and BSEM, Oversee a coherent, high-quality approach to teaching, learning, Berry Street Education Model implementation and child safety practices.
• Strengthen Stakeholder Relationships, Build and maintain positive, productive relationships with staff, students, families, and local, state and national stakeholders.
• Ensure Financial Sustainability, Operate within allocated resources while proactively securing sustainable future funding through strategic and financial planning.
• Lead Major Capital Works, Act as Project Sponsor for significant capital works programs, ensuring governance, compliance, risk management, and delivery within scope, budget and timeframes.

Key Selection Criteria (abridged; full details in Candidate Information Pack)

• Strategic Funding and Sustainability: Proven ability to navigate complex funding environments, secure diverse funding sources, and position the school for sustainable growth.
• Capital Works Project Sponsorship: Experience leading major capital works programs, ensuring strategic alignment, governance, compliance, risk management, and delivery within budget and timeframe.
• Board-Level Governance and Risk Oversight: Capacity to provide high-level strategic advice to a governing board, including oversight of compliance, policy, and emerging risks.
• Victorian Education Landscape Expertise: In-depth understanding of the Victorian education context, including curriculum frameworks, funding mechanisms, policy directions, and stakeholder networks.
• Trauma-Informed Educational Leadership: Demonstrated leadership of students with complex needs, including those with histories of trauma, disability, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, and CALD communities.

Qualifications and Other Requirements
(abridged; full details in Candidate Information Pack)

• A minimum Bachelor level qualification in Education/Teaching.
• Minimum four-year trained and have full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
• Experience as a Principal or Assistant/Deputy principal.
• Staff must hold a current driver's licence at all times and undergo a Criminal Records Check prior to employment.

Application process and requirements:

For a confidential discussion, enquiries about the application process, or to request a Candidate Information Pack, please contact:

Joanna Moe E: joanna..education or

Shannon Morgan Direct) E: shannon..education

Terms and Appointment:
The appointment will commence in Term 1, 2026, ongoing.

Applications will be received no later than and should include: Sunday 5th October 2025

• A one-page cover letter
• A two-page statement addressing the
  key selection criteria
  outlined in the Candidate Information Pack
• A Curriculum Vitae, including contact details of three professional referees to whom you have reported

Applications should be emailed to Joanna Moe, Senior Executive Consultant and Shannon Morgan, Permanent Opportunities Consultant:
E: joanna..education and E: shannon..education

Berry Street School reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.