Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School principal Brad Gaynor recently took home the best non-government primary school principal gong at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney.

Mr Gaynor has been a principal for 13 years. He is currently at Holy Spirit, but previously served at Sacred Heart in Pearce, Good Shepherd in Amaroo and St Clare of Assisi in Conder.

He said just to be nominated was a "lovely surprise", and it was humbling to be given the award.

Mr Gaynor said during his time as a principal the job had changed substantially, and principals now needed to have a strong background in education, IT and HR and forging strong relationships with students and the school community.

"Without doubt my favourite thing about being a principal is interacting with the students," Mr Gaynor said.

"A child coming to show their work or being excited to share their learning with me.

"Seeing that you're making a difference in a child's life and helping to support families is special."

Mr Gaynor said there had been changes while he's been in education which resulted in the needs of students and the range of issues facing families had grown considerably.

But he said educators were catering better to students and families' needs.

As a father of three, the youngest now in Year 12, he said being a parent while also a principal gave him a better understanding of all the hard work that parents do.

He said Canberra was blessed with great schools of all varieties but his personal passion has always been in Catholic education. Mr Gaynor is also the president of the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association.