Kate Dourley

• Led St Thomas the Apostle Primary School through sustained enrolment growth (700+ students) while maintaining a culture of child safety, academic excellence, and community belonging.
• Drove implementation of a Whole School Positive Behaviour Support framework, achieving measurable improvements in student behaviour, consistency in staff practice, and uplift in student experience survey results.
• Built and empowered a high-performing Executive Leadership Team, embedding collective responsibility and coaching structures to strengthen leadership capability across the school.
• Guided middle leader development through executive coaching, fostering succession planning and building leadership depth across all levels of the school.
• Aligned school priorities with Diocesan strategic directions (DOSCEL), using evidence-based data to measure impact and drive sustained school improvement.

• Provided authentic leadership in Catholic Identity and Religious Education, actively modelling faith through liturgy, prayer, and staff formation.
• Embedded principles of Catholic Social Teaching into decision-making, modelling integrity and compassion in leadership.
• Partnered with the parish to deepen school-parish connections, supporting the development of faith and community engagement in a growing parish context.

• Cultivated trusted, empathetic, and approachable relationships with staff, parents, and students, fostering a collaborative and supportive school culture.
• Introduced streamlined communication strategies, increasing clarity, alignment, and staff engagement with school improvement initiatives.
• Championed student voice in decision-making, recognised by students as approachable, kind, and responsive to their needs.

• Strategically aligned resources, staffing, and structures to deliver on key improvement goals and support sustainable school growth.
• Recognised for strength in communication, organisation, decision-making, and integrity, consistently modelling high professional standards.
• Maintained strong visibility and presence within the school community, reinforcing approachability and trust with families and staff.

• Led St Laurence O’Toole Primary School for 4½ years, strengthening a faith-based culture of learning, wellbeing, and community engagement.
• Worked in partnership with the parish and Diocese to repurpose an underutilised convent building into a new child-safe administration area, improving facilities with upgraded playgrounds and a renewed street-facing presence.
• Focused on aligning school improvement initiatives with Diocesan Strategic Plans, fostering a system-facing culture and ensuring consistency with broader Catholic education priorities.
• Actively represented the school at diocesan and regional events, strengthening partnerships and collaborative networks.
• Recognised for collaborative leadership and development of staff capacity, fostering high expectations and professional growth.

Acting Principal during period of secondment of substantive Principal.

Responsible for Learning and Teaching and Inclusive Education

Classroom teacher: Years 5/6 and Years 3/4

Lead teacher: Religious Education

Specialist teacher: Information Technology and Communication