Role
The role of the principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community.
At the same time, the principal, as executive officer of the school council, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters, that the decisions of the council are implemented and that adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.
Responsibilities
The principal is accountable for the overall management and development of the school within statewide guidelines and Government policies. A clear set of accountabilities, which distinguish their work from other members of the Teaching Service and the education community are set out in detail in the contract of employment.
The core accountabilities of all principals are to:
1. ensure the delivery of a comprehensive education program to all students
2. be executive officer of the school council.
3. establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department and school council requirements.
4. represent the Department in the school and the local community.
5. implement decisions of the school council.
6. contribute to system-wide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development.
7. manage and integrate the resources available to the school.
8. appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations.
9. report to the Department, school community, parents and students on the achievements of the school and of individual students as appropriate.
Who May Apply
Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see ).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
DE Values
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
Conditions of Employment
10. All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
11. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
12. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
13. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at
VIT LANTITE
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
VAPA Requirement
To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either already be a Principal or have met the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) requirement as follows:
14. For principal positions advertised between 1 August 2021 and 31 December 2021 a person will be required to have registered to undertake the VAPA before being appointed to a principal position.
15. For principal positions advertised on or after from 1 January 2022 a person must have completed the VAPA and be provided with a statement of readiness before they can be appointed to a principal position.
Location Profile
Traralgon College is a multi-campus secondary college situated in the Latrobe Valley region of Gippsland. The College is located approximately 165 kilometres to the southeast of Melbourne. In 2024, the College has an enrolment of 902 effective full-time students, of which 300 (EFT) attended the Shakespeare Street Campus (Years 7 & 8) and 602 (EFT) students attended the Grey Street Campus (Years 9-12). Within this cohort, 13 students have English as an additional language, while a further 44 are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The school strives to be the 'school of choice' for both students and parents in Traralgon. The school community is diverse in socioeconomic terms and draws on students from Traralgon, as well as the surrounding smaller towns in the Latrobe Valley and the Inner Gippsland Region. The families that make up the school community represent a range of occupational groupings.
The College's current School Family Occupation and Education Index (SFOE) is In 2024, the College staff profile was in the proximity of 170 staff, inclusive of Principal class teaching, non-teaching, paraprofessionals and casual replacement staff.
Traralgon College is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. The school recognises the importance of the partnership that exists between our school, parents and carers and the wider community to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. It shares a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.
At Traralgon College, we value learning and achievement through:
· Respect- for self, others and our environment
· Responsibility- to strive for success
· Resilience- to take on new challenges
The College provides a comprehensive and inclusive curriculum with a range of pathways to meet the interests and needs of a wide variety of students. Literacy and numeracy are integrated into the teaching and learning program. A wide range of VCE, VCE Vocational Major and Vocational Education and Training studies, including Australian school-based apprenticeships, are offered to our students.
In addition, we offer additional literacy, numeracy and wellbeing interventions, along with student voice and advocacy and Koorie support groups.
The College will be undertaking the school review in Term two of 2025.
The College is led by a principal team, with a College Principal across both campuses, and a Campus Principal and Assistant Principal at each campus, together with the leading teachers, they form the College and Campus Leadership Teams.