Albion Park resident Frank Pitt, principal of Mater Dei in Camden, will take up the post in January next year, following on from acting principal Greg Elliott.

Mr Pitt's career in education has spanned 31 years and he said he has never had a bad day in the job.

"It's been a wonderful career and I've enjoyed every day of it," he said.

"I've always had a passion for teaching, even from the time when I was at school. I liked school myself and I had great admiration for the people teaching in school."

Starting out as a primary school teacher in Albion Park, Mr Pitt quickly rose through the ranks and has worked at a number of schools in the region, including St Brigid's Catholic Primary School in Gwynneville and St Therese Catholic Primary School in West Wollongong.

He is chairman of the Wollongong Diocesan Finance Council and treasurer of the Wollongong Diocesan Principals Association.

Mr Pitt said he was delighted to be returning to work in Wollongong and looked forward to the challenges of serving such a respected school as St Mary's.

"It's just an outstanding school with an outstanding reputation for producing outstanding young women," he said.

"I would hope to continue the fine tradition of education at St Mary's and I guess for me it's really about providing that environment where girls feel they have the same opportunities in the world as boys."

Chairperson of the school's selection committee, Mrs Brenda Wilson, said Mr Pitt was a talented and inspiring leader.