Kevin O'Brien
45 Ailsa Street, Aspley,Australia
Summary
Leader of staff and student programs. Skilled in collaborator with a range of stakeholders. Extensive experience in wellbeing, positive leadership and research-based approaches to pedagogy. Member of Positive Education Schools Australia (P.E.S.A.)
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Wellbeing and Formation
Iona College
04.2024 - 06.2024
- Working as part of a collaborative wellbeing team (18) to manage complex and sensitive pastoral issues across the student body
- Under the direction of The Dean of Students, we remedy persistent pastoral matters with the outcome aimed at improving their wellbeing and ongoing, overall formation
- Create and implement the College’s sequential Visible Wellbeing programme
- Assist and mentor Heads of House
- Work collaboratively with the College’s on-site counseling team
Head of Year 7
Iona College
01.2018 - Current
- Responsible for the wellbeing and pastoral care of approx 300 boys in all aspects of their school lives
- Key foci include emotional management through regular meetings, attention and awareness sessions to encourage accountability and responsibility, development of relationships through whole cohort bonding activities, coping strategies through regular Prosper lessons detailing techniques and practices that can be incorporated. Working closely with all boys in the development of proactive habits and goals with the aim of achieving the best outcomes in all aspects of their education.
- Develop and implement pastoral care structures, programmes, and relationship building with all stakeholders
- Ensure boys transition from their Primary to their Senior phase of education as smoothly as possible
Head of Student Services
Iona College
01.2016 - 12.2020
- Responsible for the organisation, improvement, and execution of whole-school immunisation programme, photographs, public transport, bus bookings, year 5-10 dances, year 5-10 camps, ANZAC Day service and the assimilation and distribution of the year 12 farewell books.
Teacher Science
Iona College
11.2014 - Current
- Year 7-10 junior sciences
- Year 11-12 biology
Teacher HPE
Iona College
11.2014 - Current
- Year 7-10
Co-curricular Involvement
Iona College
01.2015 - Current
- Co-ordinator And Mentor For The Community & Wellbeing Portfolio
- Oversee College Vice Captain and several prefects who run a portfolio of around 50 boys
- Facilitate weekly meetings and calendared events for boys (5-12) interested in playing a role in a whole-school recycling and sustainability initiative, Land for Wildlife revegetation programme, student wellbeing/student voice, photography of seniors throughout the year, staffing of dances and hosting an annual whole-school interhouse trivia competition
- Logistical organisation and support of the swimming programme
- Co-ordinator Year 7 rugby
- Coach 7A rugby
- Coach Year 7 water polo
- Organise, attend, and facilitate Year 7 camp
Teacher of Senior Biology and Science
Southfields Academy
09.2012 - 09.2014
- IB Senior Biology A-Level
- GCSE Junior Science
- Home Room Mentor
- Co-ordinated Gifted and Talented Program
Teacher Science and HPE
Honeywell Junior
09.2011 - 09.2012
- Year 4 class teacher and after school club co-ordinator
- Responsible for the teaching and implementation of all subjects
- Assisting with the running of after-schools clubs
Supply Teaching
09.2010 - 09.2011
- Teacher Science and HPE
- Various schools across broader London
Teacher, Coach and Mentor
King Edward VII School
04.2007 - 06.2010
- Member of the HPE, Humanities, Biology and P.H.S.E Departments
- Housemaster (School, Donald Gordon, and Buxton Houses)
- Master in Charge of Water Polo
- 1st Team Head Water Polo Coach and Manager
- Year 11-13 Rugby Coach
- Year 8-13 Athletics Coach (shot put, discus and javelin)
Skills
- Implementing wellbeing programs for staff and students College wide, including Visible Wellbeing
- Proven ability to work effectively with a variety of
stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, and administrators - Demonstrated ability to build relationships and trust, and to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner while being sensitive to the needs of all parties involved
- Extensive experience working with students with a variety of special needs and diverse cultural backgrounds
- Proven ability to help students cope with difficult experiences
- Delivered training and workshops to staff on a variety of topics, including positive psychology, positive language choices and Visible Wellbeing
- Enhanced the skills of staff to create a positive and supportive learning environment
- Conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather data on student wellbeing
- Prioritized tasks and delegated work effectively
- Demonstrated ability to align work with the institution's values and strategic goals and develop innovative solutions for future challenges
Interests & achievements
- I love to read, be active and spend time with family and friends.
- I am currently pursuing interests in CrossFit, Golf and TRL.
- In the past, I have been a member of the Senior Men’s South African Water Polo team from 2003 - 2010. I have attended the World Aquatic Championships in Montreal (2005), Melbourne (2007) and Rome (2009). I have also attended a Commonwealth Water Polo Tournament in Perth in 2006.
References
Mark Harvey
Former Dean of Students, Iona College
Email - Harveym@iona.qld.edu.au
Phone – 0421 114 248
Ben Devlin
Acting Dean of Students, Iona College
Email - devlinb@iona.qld.edu.au
Phone - 07 3893 8888
Brian Robbins
Former Head of Department, Health & Sciences
Email - robbinsb@iona.qld.edu.au
Phone - 07 3893 8888
Kerry Sadleir
Head of Department, Health and Sciences
Email - sadleirk@iona.qld.edu.au
Phone - 07 3893 8888
Timeline
Head of Wellbeing and Formation
Iona College
04.2024 - 06.2024
Head of Year 7
Iona College
01.2018 - Current
Head of Student Services
Iona College
01.2016 - 12.2020
Co-curricular Involvement
Iona College
01.2015 - Current
Teacher Science
Iona College
11.2014 - Current
Teacher HPE
Iona College
11.2014 - Current
Teacher of Senior Biology and Science
Southfields Academy
09.2012 - 09.2014
Teacher Science and HPE
Honeywell Junior
09.2011 - 09.2012
Supply Teaching
09.2010 - 09.2011
Teacher, Coach and Mentor
King Edward VII School
04.2007 - 06.2010
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