Grace O'Keeffe
Kalgoorlie,WA
Summary
I am a dedicated and passionate leader with a proven record of fostering excellence in Health and Physical Education through high-quality teaching, curriculum innovation, and the development of holistic, student-centred programs. My personal and professional experience has imbued me with a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing and growing the whole child to encompass their academic, social, emotional, and physical development. With diverse experience leading statewide sporting programs and school-based initiatives in Health, Physical Education, Wellbeing, and Auslan, I bring a broad perspective on educational leadership and community and stakeholder engagement. I am deeply committed to cultivating a high-performance culture underpinned by collaboration, reflection, and evidence-informed practice. As a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, I lead by example—encouraging both students and staff to set ambitious goals, embrace challenges, and pursue continual growth. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to Karratha Senior High School's academic and sporting excellence.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Learning Area – Health & Physical Education
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School
01.2024 - Current
- Led the alignment of all Health & PE programs with the school’s instructional model, including curriculum design in Health, Physical Education, Outdoor Education, Sport Development and Certificate II Sport & Coaching (IVET).
- Successfully implemented new 2025 courses including Outdoor Education and Soccer Sport Development Program
- Empowered staff to be Curriculum Leaders to support the Whole School Instructional Model
- Developed and implemented Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) in Health & PE to improve consistency, rigor, and data comparability across the department.
- Integrated Wellio into Health Education lessons – enabling longitudinal tracking of student wellbeing and integration into pastoral care initiatives
- Implemented changes to Physical Education classes based on student feedback to improve participation and grades in classes with trailed
- Collaborated with the Lead Teacher for Health & Physical Education at Eastern Goldfields College to review General and ATAR Health Studies courses, ensuring Year 7–10 HPE programs were strategically backwards mapped to build the knowledge, skills, and conceptual foundations required for senior school success in line with SCSA curriculum expectations.
- Lead a team of diverse educators (11) through instructional coaching, regular learning area meetings, and collaborative moderation to ensure consistent teaching quality.
- Applied performance management processes aligned with the Department’s framework to provide constructive feedback, set improvement targets, and foster reflective practice.
- Supported early career teachers through mentoring, classroom observation, and feedback cycles.
- Supported six teachers through successful submission of their graduate portfolio across 2024 & 2025
- Modelled a culture of high performance and continuous improvement by constantly providing professional learning opportunities, informal observations and feedback to staff
- Supported cross-school initiatives by mentoring staff in event logistics, risk management, and camp planning for Science, Music, and Academic Extension Camps.
- Developed Camp Check Lists to support HPE Staff and whole school staff with successful preparation of camp
- Strategic involvement in Consent2Go Implementation Committee - Acted as a key liaison between the school and Consent2Go, gathering user feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and communicating insights to the platform’s support team.
- Member of the Numeracy & Literacy Committee – active engagement with HoLAs and deputy principals to ensure consistency in whole school initiatives
- Established the first ever Swimming Carnival in 2024, continued to grow numbers in 2025 with nominations doubling
W.A State Manager – Communities & Families
MBA Sports Coaching (Now Gecko Sports)
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Offered a 12-month contract with MBA Sports Coaching to assist in organisational restructure and strengthening community partnerships with state and national sporting bodies. Granted Leave Without Pay from Harrisdale SHS to complete the secondment. Upon completion, offered a position with Gecko Sports; however, I had successfully secured the role of Head of Department – Health and Physical Education aligned with my long-term career goals
- Collaborated with key educational partners to ensure program delivery aligns with SCSA standards and supports seamless student progression from early years (K) to year eight
- Developed strategies to enhance the interface between school-based HPE programs and external sporting bodies including Tennis Australia, Hockey Australia, and Volleyball Australia, ensuring relevant, and skill-based learning outcomes such as regular professional development opportunities and meetings to feedback to Sport Organisations on their endorsed programs
- Successfully led and managed staff and resources, driving effective program delivery and alignment with professional practice standards.
- Implemented a performance management process for staff, including setting regular performance targets, conducting reviews, and providing mentoring and professional development to enhance capability and confidence.
- Lead a culture of continuous improvement and reflective practice through regular professional learning, self-review documents, and evidence-based performance discussions.
- Worked collaboratively with community partners to design, plan, and deliver inclusive events that promoted physical activity and wellbeing across Western Australia.
- Delivered professional development to Mullaloo Beach Primary School Community Board on wellbeing and strategies to improve wellbeing in schools.
- Achieved “Industry Leader of the Year 2023” at the What’s on 4 Kids State Awards for excellence in leadership, innovation, and contribution to health and physical activity programs statewide.
Department of Education – Harrisdale Senior High
10.2020 - 10.2023
- Selected to coordinate and manage the Wellbeing Program at Harrisdale Senior High School, providing a new leadership opportunity more closely aligned to Health & Physical Education
- Designed and implemented a whole-cohort wellbeing program aligned with the PERMA-H framework
- Collaborated with Year Coordinators, Deputies, and Student Services staff to ensure the program addressed the cohort’s social-emotional and behavioral needs while aligning with school culture and priorities.
- Led the development of a large-scale collaborative art project with all Year 7 students, resulting in a permanent centerpiece installation symbolizing connection and belonging at school entry.
- Demonstrated strong public relations capacity through the coordination of guest presenters, partnerships, and internal staff collaboration.
Auslan Program Coordinator
Harrisdale SHS
- Selected to coordinate and implement the Auslan Program at Harrisdale SHS while continuing a 0.5 HPE teaching role, providing an opportunity to drive school-wide innovation and strengthen my leadership capabilities in preparation for future Head of Department roles.
- Established relationships with Shenton College and consulted with Dr. Karen Bontempo, who wrote the curriculum for Auslan to ensure the program was aligned to SCSA
- Managed and supported a diverse team of teachers & educational assistants, experience supporting staff with diverse needs including a Deaf Educational Assistant. Advised the school on appropriate physical changes to occur to support Deaf members of staff
- Consulted deaf community, working with key stakeholders to provide direction to establish an authentic Auslan Program, liaised with Shenton College and their flagship program
- Proven ability to establish connections with the wider community through other near-by schools such as Cannington Community College
- Supported nearby schools with advice to be culturally appropriate in their delivery and shared assessment items to provide an opportunity to moderate across schools
Health and Physical Education Teacher Effective Leadership - Curriculum Leadership & Coordination
- Year 7 Health Coordinator & Year 10 Health Coordinator
- Classroom Climate Survey Implementation: Completed student perception surveys with Health classes to gather data on engagement and classroom relationships, using findings to inform teaching practice and improve classroom climate.
- Fitness Club Coach & Coordinator: Designed and implemented a before-school Fitness Club, increasing student participation in physical activity across year groups. Created engaging opportunities for students to be physically active and promoted a positive and inclusive culture of wellbeing and physical literacy.
- Interschool Athletics Coordinator: Managed team selection, logistics, and event coordination for interschool athletics carnivals, promoting school spirit, sportsmanship, and high standards of performance.
- Interschool Athletics Team Training Day: Planned and facilitated a pre-event training day to enhance team cohesion, skill development, and readiness for competition.
Coaching & Talent Development
- Year 7/8 Netball Elite Program Coach: Coached and developed emerging athletes within the Elite Program, focusing on technical skill development, tactical awareness, and personal growth.
- Year 9/10 Assistant Netball Coach – Elite Program: Supported the senior Elite Netball team through training design, athlete mentoring, and performance analysis.
Education
University of Notre Dame
Fremantle, WACertification
- WWWC: 2452960
- TRBWA Registration: 33115832
- E-number: E4110969
- Auslan Basic Training
- Auslan Intermediate Training
- Certified Children's Yoga Teacher
- Certified Teen's Yoga Teacher
- Certificate II in Sport Coaching
- Certificate IV in Personal Training
- Certificate IV Training & Assessment Assessor Skill Set
- HLTAID011 Current Provide First
- Hockey WA Endorsed
- HR-A
- Level 1 Boxing Coach
- Netball Foundation Level Coach
- First Aid Certificate
- Bronze Medallion
- Strong Pilates Instructor Certified
- Skippers ticket
- Tennis Australia Endorsed
- Volleyball WA Level 1
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SUMMARY
- Addressing e-cigarettes and vaping in school communities (2022) – Applied changes to the Year 8 Health Program in 2022 to include updated information at Harrisdale Senior High School to ensure the program was up to date and relevant to students while addressing the rapidly growing issue
- Children’s Yoga Teacher (2023) – Delivered Children’s Yoga sessions in Physical Education to teach students practical mindfulness strategies that they could utilize to manage stress and nurture wellbeing
- CMS Foundation (2025) – Recognized that I have a department with a large group of early career teachers and actively sought out PD to ensure I could develop, observe and support staff while utilising correct common language
- CMS ISE (2025) – Completed this as part of my commitment to obtaining my CAT trainer so I can formally deliver Professional Development to staff and continue to grow HPE staff and staff across the school
- Co-Regulation & Crisis Management (2021) – Implemented trauma informed teaching in my classes
- Health Education Conference (2023)
- Hockey WA Professional Development Session (2023) – Delivered sessions aligned to Hockey WA Endorsed Program
- HR-A (2025) – Obtained my HR-A in the holidays to help reduce excursion costs and to transport students for interschool Perth competitions
- Keys 4 Life Accreditation (2021 & 2024) – Advised HPE Staff on up-to-date information for the Year 10 Keys 4 Life Program
- Managing People & Organisation (2023) – Completed post graduate study on effective management of people and organisations
- Mental Health First Aid (2019)
- Physical Education ATAR Exercise Physiology (2024)
- QT Raising Awareness of Teaching for Impact (2022)
- Recreation and Outdoor Education Activities (2025)
- SCSA - Health & Physical Education 2024 Changes (2024 & 2025) – delivered Professional Learning on Curriculum Updates to the KBCHS HPE Department
- Science of Learning National Conference (2021)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections – WAAC (2024) – Updated Programs to reflect most recent and up-to-date research
- Strengthening Student Success: Culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing (2024)
- Team Teach (2024)
- Teen’s Yoga Teacher (2023)
- The Coaching Lab Practical P.D (2025)
- Transformative Leadership (2023) – Completed post graduate study on transformative leadership and change management
- Trauma Informed Schools (2024) – Implemented trauma informed
Timeline
Head of Learning Area – Health & Physical Education
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School
01.2024 - Current
W.A State Manager – Communities & Families
MBA Sports Coaching (Now Gecko Sports)
01.2023 - 12.2023
Department of Education – Harrisdale Senior High
10.2020 - 10.2023
Health and Physical Education Teacher Effective Leadership - Curriculum Leadership & Coordination
Coaching & Talent Development
Auslan Program Coordinator
Harrisdale SHS
University of Notre Dame