From Chartered Accountant to primary school Principal might not seem like the most traditional career path but for Lisa Netting, it was destined.
Now Principal at St Francis of Assisi Regional Catholic Primary School Paddington, Lisa believes she’s right where she belongs: guiding students and staff, and building a nurturing environment for future generations.
Answering the call
Before entering the world of education, Lisa’s career began in the corporate sector. She worked with Deloitte both in Australia and abroad in Canada, where she first got involved in learning and development, overseeing training and mentoring for new employees in her area of expertise, Assurance and Advisory.
It helped re-ignite a deep-seeded passion for teaching and education that she had harboured from an early age.
“At Deloitte, I think I was really fortunate to be able to combine that kind of passion for teaching others with my skill set, and also my passion for leading others,” Lisa says. “When I was younger though, I always wanted to be a teacher. It felt like it was my calling to educate.”
She decided to answer the call, pursuing a Master of Teaching and entering the classroom—first at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Lane Cove, and later as Assistant Principal at St Francis.
Lisa credits leaders like then St Michael’s Principal Steve Conlon, who recognised her potential early on, with giving her the encouragement and opportunities to grow in leadership.
After five years working in the independent school system, the chance came to return to St Francis at the beginning of this year—this time as Principal.
“It definitely feels like coming back to where I belong,” she says. “Back home to Paddington and back home to Sydney Catholic Schools.”
The importance of collaboration
For Lisa, being a Principal isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about empowering others.
“I really believe in collaborative, collegial leadership,” she explains. “Everyone brings their own strengths. I encourage my team to challenge me. There are times when they will know more than I do in certain areas, and that’s a strength. That’s how we grow.”
Supporting and developing others—whether early career teachers or senior leaders—is at the heart of her approach. “It’s about giving them opportunities, letting them sit in on finance meetings, budgeting discussions—giving them the experience they’ll need to lead schools in the future.”
And while the demands of the role can be complex, Lisa is energised by the impact she can make. “At the end of the day, it’s about what’s best for the students,” she says. “That’s the most important thing. I love having the freedom to be creative, to look at data, identify areas that need lifting, and then design programs to support students.”
A network of support
One of the aspects Lisa values most about working within Sydney Catholic Schools is the strength of the system itself.
“There’s this incredible network behind you,” she says. “We have experts in best practice pedagogy, literacy, wellbeing, education research—they’re there to support us, to guide best practice, and to ensure the programs we implement are high-quality and evidence-based.”
Lisa notes that while she has autonomy as Principal, she’s also supported by experienced leaders. “I have a manager who’s accessible and always there when I need guidance. That next layer of leadership helps me develop too.”
“That level of knowledge and that level of expertise and that level of professional learning you get in Sydney Catholic Schools is streams ahead.”
Advice for future leaders
For aspiring school leaders, Lisa’s message is clear: be proactive.
“Don’t wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, ‘You look like you’ve got leadership potential.’ If it’s something you want, say so. Speak up. Put your hand up for opportunities,” she urges.
She points to the many leadership development programs within Sydney Catholic Schools designed to nurture emerging leaders. “If you’re showing initiative, someone will sweep that up and help you grow.”
At its core, Lisa sees school leadership as a privilege. “We’re developing the next generation of humans. It really is the best job in the world,” she says.
“I often tell parents, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ And while they are their child’s first educator, we play such a vital role in shaping their lives. If we can help children feel safe, confident and ready to learn, then we’re giving them—and their families—something incredibly valuable.”
