Applying for an Assistant Principal position in Victoria requires addressing the selection criteria effectively by demonstrating real-world experience. In this guide, we will explore how to approach these criteria and present assistant principal selection criteria examples Victoria using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format.
Formatting Your Assistant Principal Selection Criteria
When addressing assistant principal selection criteria, it is important to carefully review – and adhere to – specific length guidelines provided in the job ad. Some schools will specify how long your application should be, while others might not. A common expectation is to dedicate one page per criterion. If you’re unsure about the required length or formatting, you can contact the contact officer for clarification.
What are the Victorian Assistant Principal Selection Criteria?
Here is a breakdown of the common selection criteria for assistant principal positions in Victoria, and what they mean:
1. Educational Leadership
(i) Outstanding capacity for visionary and exemplary educational leadership of a school or college
(ii) Highly developed skills in leading and managing change, including the leadership of others in the process of change
2. Financial, Managerial, and Administrative Ability
(i) Outstanding financial, organisational, and resource management skills
3. Planning, Policy, and Program Development and Review
(i) Exemplary values appropriate to the development of student learning with a demonstrated capacity to achieve high-quality student outcomes
(ii) Demonstrated ability to implement Department policies to a high level
(iii) An understanding of, and a commitment to, the use of learning technologies to improve teaching and learning
4. Leadership of Staff and Students
(i) A highly developed capacity to motivate staff, develop their talents, and build an effective team
(ii) A clear capacity to foster a learning environment that takes account of the individual needs of students and helps students to develop their special abilities and talents
5. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
(i) Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills in individual, small group, and community contexts
(ii) Exemplary values pertaining to personal qualities of objectivity, sensitivity, and integrity
(iii) An ability to work with parents and the community to develop a strong learning environment
The STAR Format
When writing your assistant principal selection criteria examples Victoria, the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) ensures your examples are structured and easy to follow. This approach allows you to clearly outline the context of the challenge, your role in addressing it, the steps you took, and the measurable results of your actions.
Ensuring Your Examples Are Suited to the Context of the School
Make sure the examples you use for the assistant principal selection criteria examples Victoria are tailored to the specific school or context you are applying to. For example, if the school has a particular focus on literacy improvement or student wellbeing, align your examples with these priorities.
By carefully formatting your response, using the STAR method, and focusing on key leadership competencies, you can demonstrate that you are the right fit for an assistant principal role in Victoria.
Assistant Principal Selection Criteria Examples Victoria
1. Educational Leadership
(ii) Highly developed skills in leading and managing change, including the leadership of others in the process of change
At ABC School, we faced consistently low engagement in literacy, particularly among Year 8 students. Standardised test results indicated a steady decline in reading comprehension and writing skills. To address this, the school decided to implement a new literacy framework aimed at improving outcomes. As PDHPE Coordinator, I was appointed to lead the rollout of the literacy framework and guide staff through the process of change.
I needed to ensure that staff were supported, motivated, and well-equipped to adopt new strategies in their teaching. I organised a series of professional development sessions with literacy experts and facilitated open discussions where staff could voice concerns. I also established literacy teams within each department, enabling collaboration and peer support. A phased implementation allowed staff to gradually integrate the new methods, making the transition smoother. I provided coaching and observed classrooms to offer feedback.
Within six months, literacy engagement among Year 8 students improved by 25%, and early assessments showed notable increases in reading comprehension. The collaborative approach fostered a culture of continuous improvement, and staff engagement remained high throughout the process. This experience highlights my skills in leading change and managing staff through new initiatives.
2. Financial, Managerial, and Administrative Ability
(i) Outstanding financial, organisational, and resource management skills
At ABC School, we identified a significant shortfall in funding for our extracurricular programs. The budget allocated was insufficient to support the variety of student activities, particularly in sports and the arts, which threatened to reduce engagement and overall school morale. As Year Coordinator, I was tasked with reviewing the budget and ensuring that these programs could continue without compromising their quality. This required detailed financial planning and resource management, as well as collaboration with multiple departments.
I conducted an analysis of the current budget, identifying areas where we could cut costs without affecting the core curriculum. I worked with department heads to optimise the use of shared resources, such as sports equipment and art supplies, which reduced duplication of expenditures. I also applied for a $10,000 grant from a local community sports association and introduced a more efficient scheduling system to maximise the use of school facilities.
Thanks to these efforts, we maintained and even expanded extracurricular offerings without exceeding the original budget. The financial management strategy resulted in a 15% reduction in unnecessary expenses, freeing up funds for classroom resources. As a result, student participation in extracurricular activities increased by 20%, leading to better student wellbeing and school engagement.
We hope these examples have been helpful. If you need help with your application, please contact us for a quote.
