Union says shared principal plan is ‘deeply concerning’

Teachers and support staff have filed with the Fair Work Commission after a proposal by Catholic Schools Broken Bay that would see principals operate across two schools.

Fourteen Catholic schools in the North Shore and Northern Beaches regions of Sydney may soon have only seven principals to service them.

The Independent Education Union (IEU) has lodged a dispute with the FWC after Catholic Schools Broken Bay allegedly informed staff and communities within the diocese of the proposal.

There is not much known about the plan, what schools were informed, and when the directive would commence, but the announcement itself has generated criticism from the IEU, who noted the likely impacts on employment, workloads, and school management.

According to IEU NSW/ACT branch secretary Carol Matthews, “this change will impact staff, students and families in the affected schools”.

“The union cannot see how this restructuring will benefit anyone.”

“It is basically a cost-cutting measure by reducing the number of principals.”

Matthews said the union was not consulted before the announcement, despite their legal obligation to do so.

She said: “The union anticipates the change will add to teacher workloads given the employer has not indicated it will increase the number of staff to compensate for having a part-time principal.”

“Principals have complex jobs. They have to ensure high standards of teaching and learning to deal with parents, staff and school communities.”

The union also raised the issue of management, questioning how this will affect the chain of command and order of authority.

Matthews said: “If the principal is not on site and there’s an emergency – such as an upset parent or an injured child – then who is in charge? If the assistant principal is teaching in front of a class, they’re not readily accessible.”

“We do not know whether staffing at affected schools will be increased to compensate for the loss of a full-time principal”.

The news follows the release of Aon’s 2026 Independent Schools Risk Report that found the sector is struggling with skills shortages and increasing workloads.

The IEU has requested Catholic Schools Broken Bay provide more detail on how principals would carry out the dual roles, and that it consult with the union going forward.

The proposal also follows reports that Catholic Schools NSW is projected to lose $120 million by 2029.

As covered by The Daily Telegraph, Independent Schools Australia chief executive Graham Catt said anticipated cuts to private, Catholic and Christian schools over the next three years are expected but will “still have a very real impact”.

He said: “Schools can’t absorb sudden funding changes of millions of dollars – their only options are to cut or defer programs, reduce staffing or increase fees when families are already struggling with the cost of living.”

As reported by The Age, Catholic schools have also recently informed parents of likely subject cuts and fee hikes due to higher wage costs.

HR Leader reached out to Catholic Schools Broken Bay for comment.

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