Job Description

Lead with purpose. Empower students. Strengthen communities.

Berry Street is seeking a dedicated Assistant Principal to lead our Morwell Campus. Berry Street School is a trauma-informed, multi-campus specialist school for students in Years 7–12 who are at risk of disengaging from education. Grounded in the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM), this is a rare opportunity to shape inclusive and healing learning environments that support student well-being, achievement, and belonging.

• Morwell Campus, Gunaikurnai Country
• Full time, Permanent role
• Competitive Salary + Super + $15,900 Salary Packaging

About the Berry Street School:

The Berry Street School operates across four campuses in Ballarat, Morwell, Narre Warren and Shepparton. We deliver an adaptation of the Victorian Curriculum for Years 7–10, the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM), and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) for senior students.

The school supports young people who have experienced complex trauma, disrupted education and significant adversity. Our trauma-informed approach is grounded in the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) and centres on:

• Unconditional positive regard for students
• Calm and inclusive classrooms with small class sizes
• Individualised learning plans and flexible timetables
• High staff-to-student ratios
• A focus on literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and work readiness
• Partnerships with families, carers and support networks

What makes the Berry Street School unique is our unwavering belief in every student’s potential. We create environments where young people who have experienced adversity can re-engage with learning, build confidence and feel a genuine sense of belonging. It’s a school that leads with care, purpose and impact.

The Opportunity:

As Assistant Principal, Head of Campus, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for your campus within the Berry Street School network, with responsibility for:

• Leading the day-to-day operations, culture and educational outcomes of the campus
• Supporting the delivery of the School’s Strategic and Annual Implementation Plans
• Leading, coaching and developing teaching and wellbeing staff
• Embedding the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) across teaching, learning and leadership practices
• Overseeing student wellbeing, engagement, attendance and inclusion initiatives
• Ensuring compliance with child safety standards, school policies and regulatory requirements
• Contributing to financial, operational and workforce planning for the campus
• Building strong partnerships with families, community organisations and external stakeholders
• Promoting a positive, trauma-informed and inclusive school culture

About You:

You are a collaborative and values-driven educational leader with experience supporting diverse learners and leading teams in complex educational settings. You bring a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, curriculum and student wellbeing, and are committed to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments.

You lead with integrity, resilience and compassion, have highly developed communication and relationship-building skills, and are passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.

You are ready to make a lasting impact.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree qualification in Teaching/Education
• Minimum four-year trained teacher with full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
• Current driver’s licence, as travel between campuses may be required
• Solid experience in leadership roles within schools, trauma-informed practice, or BSEM implementation will be highly regarded

Why join Berry Street?

• Join a school that is transforming education for vulnerable young people
• Work within a respected not-for-profit organisation with a broad system of care
• Access salary packaging of up to $15,900 per annum
• Receive 10 weeks of paid parental leave and other generous leave entitlements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to you and your immediate family

Apply Now!

Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the role by 11pm Wednesday 17 June 2025.

Please note that applications will be assessed as they are received.

For any questions or to have a confidential conversation about the role, Katharine Smith, Principal Berry Street School, on 0457 329 058

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a National Police Check.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.