Principal, St John's College (VIC)

St John’s College, in Preston Melbourne, is an independent, co-educational Foundation to Year 12 school of the Greek Orthodox tradition.

Founded in 1979, St John’s is grounded in Orthodox faith, Hellenism, family and belonging. Its values (Love, Excel, Achieve and Dream) connect generations through shared identity and purpose. Renewed governance and interim executive leadership have steadied the College and sharpened its understanding of the road ahead.

This next phase demands more. It is a defining leadership challenge that calls for courage, disciplined execution and a leader capable of turning hard-won stability into educational strength, organisational confidence and sustainable progress. This is more than an appointment. For the right leader, this is an opportunity to help a community write a new chapter worthy of its cultural heritage.

The Principal reports to the Board and, through the Board Chair, holds delegated responsibility for the College’s educational leadership, operations, community engagement and long-term viability.

The Principal converts evidence into action, uncertainty into clarity and goodwill into social capital. Like the most enduring leaders of the Greek tradition, the Principal reads the terrain, withstands the storm and holds a steady course. The position calls for dexterity with discipline, tenacity with humility and vision with decisive follow-through. The role strengthens learning, workforce capability, financial sustainability, enrolments and community confidence, while enhancing faith, culture, dignity or belonging. The Principal’s authority is earned through presence, curiosity and service, calling others into shared responsibility while holding clear standards and accountability.

The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to:

• Honour Orthodox Christian faith and Hellenic identity with humility, conviction and cultural intelligence
• Exercise meaningful, visible and strong educational and pedagogical leadership, role modelling expertise in contemporary best-practice
• Lead complex operational and financial renewal, in a tightly resourced and pressured environment, with conviction, grit, nuanced judgement, decisiveness, composure and poise
• Build trust and capacity through humble, relational leadership while maintaining clear standards, boundaries and accountability, recognising that individual flourishing and institutional renewal are inseparable
• Articulately communicate a shared purpose, forging a common vision that unites students, staff, families, clergy, governance and the wider community, around collective responsibility and College culture.

Offered as a five-year fixed-term contract and commencing in January 2027 (or earlier by negotiation), applicants must be educational leaders, with post graduate qualifications, who thrive when leading a close-knit community and must have both an existing right to work in Australia as well as hold (or be eligible to hold) current VIT registration.

St John’s College staff comply with the School’s child safety policies and related policies and procedures, upholding the principles and values set out in legislative frameworks and regulations, at all times conducting themselves in accordance with the commitment to take all reasonable steps to promote the safety of children. St John’s College has a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse and is committed to promoting child safety, children's wellbeing and protecting children from abuse.

Hutton Consulting Australia (HCA) is partnering with St John’s College in this search and selection process. For a confidential discussion and to obtain the all-important Candidate Information Pack prior to applying, please contact the lead consultant, Chris Menagé, on ************@hutton.education.

Application closing date: 7pm Sunday 30th August 2026, although kindly note eligible applications will be screened upon receipt. HCA and the School reserve the right to appoint prior to the deadline.

Please ONLY APPLY via HCA’s website at: https://hutton.education/opportunities (direct applications via other websites will not be accepted)