Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB) has announced plans to have one principal split their time across two schools for their primary schools on the Northern Beaches and North Shore. The move has resulted in the Independent Education Union lodging a dispute with the Fair Work Commission over a lack of consultation with staff, alleging it breaches enterprise agreements.
School parents have since started an online petition calling for the CSBB to pause the rollout until the Fair Work dispute is fully resolved and a comprehensive consultation with parents, staff and community members is conducted.
“When families like mine received notice of the dual‑principal restructure, the decision was already a done deal,” the petition reads.
“There was no prior discussion, no opportunity for input from parents or staff, and this lack of transparency is both frustrating and concerning. It feels as though our voices, and those of our children, who are the most affected, have been disregarded.
“As a parent, it is crucial for me to understand how this new model aligns with the NSW Education Act and meets NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority) standards. Schools play a vital role in nurturing the future of our kids, and decisions about their education.
“I believe decisions impacting our children should be made with genuine involvement from parents, teachers, and the school community.”
CSBB Director of Schools, Danny Casey described the arrangement as part of a broader leadership model that allows one principal to lead multiple schools within a single Parish.
“The model strengthens collaboration, builds leadership capacity and creates greater opportunities to share expertise and effective practice across school communities,” Casey wrote in letters to parents.
The change will affect 14 schools across the Northern Beaches and North Shore, each Parish sharing one principal between the schools:
Pittwater Parish
- Maria Regina Catholic Primary School, Avalon
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Mona Vale
The Lakes Catholic Parish
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Narrabeen
- St Rose Catholic Primary School, Collaroy
Warringah Parish
- St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School, Narraweena
- St Kevin’s Catholic Primary School, Dee Why
Frenchs Forest Parish
- Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville
- St Martin’s Catholic Primary School, Davidson
Manly-Freshwater Parish
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Manly
- St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Freshwater
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Parish
- St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Asquith
- St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, Berowra
Epping and Carlingford Parish
- St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School, Carlingford
- Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC), Epping
Manly Observer has seen the letter to the St Mary’s and St John school community, where Casey confirmed on 1 September 2026 that Marc Reicher, currently Senior Executive of the Northern Beaches for CSBB, will be appointed principal of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Manly and St John the Baptist, Freshwater effective first day of Term 4 (12 October 2026).
Reicher will replace Paul McGuire, who is retiring from St Mary’s at the end of 2026. As for, Alicia van der Merwe, the current principal of St John’s, she will become the principal of St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School, Narraweena and St Kevin’s Catholic Primary School, Dee Why as seen in a letter reported on by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Under the transition plan, Reicher will work alongside McGuire through Term 4 before taking on full responsibility for both school communities from the start of the 2027 school year.
A CSBB spokesperson told Manly Observer the plan is not new to other dioceses, including CSBB, which already operate a multi-site model through Eileen O’Connor Catholic Schools, St Paul’s Catholic College 5-12,and Siena Catholic College K-12.
“This new arrangement, particularly given the size of the schools, will not adversely impact students, teachers or parents,” they said.
“This is a change to the leadership structure, not to the day-to-day operation of the schools.
“Parents who have concerns or questions are invited to speak directly with the Principals.”
Union says plan breaches agreements
The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU) NSW/ACT Branch says CSBB never consulted with school staff over a “major workplace change”.
They argue that CSBB breached relevant enterprise agreements and has lodged a formal dispute with the Fair Work Commission.
“IEU members are deeply concerned about the employer’s plan for schools to have part-time principals,” said 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 restricting will benefit anyone.
“We do not know whether staffing at affected schools will be increased to compensate for the loss of a full-time principal and how principals will perform their role across two schools.”
However, CSBB explained it has fully complied with its obligations under its Enterprise Agreement
“[We] invited the IEU to make any representation they felt appropriate,” a spokesperson for CSBB said.
“No representation was made, rather the IEU lodged a dispute in the Fair Work Commission.”
Casey told the Sydney Morning Herald that CSBB was directing its investment into students, instead of leadership, particularly at a time when independent schools have seen a decrease in funding contributions from the government due to new rules.
“New rules around Government Funding introduced five years ago began considering parents’ taxable income, and their capacity to contribute to school fees,” a CSBB spokesperson added
“This has seen a $90 million reduction in funding every year in the Diocese, particularly in Sydney’s north.”
The news comes after the permanent closure of St Cecilia’s Balgowlah last year to make way for a Year 5 and 6 campus for St Paul’s which we reported on here.
