LEADERSHiP

Head of School

Kasson Bratton

Kasson is honoured to serve the HKA community as Head of School. He believes that students learn best when they feel a strong sense of belonging, make meaningful choices about their learning, connect across cultures, and experience just the right balance of challenge and support. He is an active member and frequent presenter for the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), and an Evaluation Leader for the Council of International Schools (CIS). He has been published in various educational journals and his voice can be heard as a regular contributor on a variety of educational podcasts focusing on school culture, instructional design, and artificial intelligence. 

Prior to joining HKA Kasson served as Director of Learning, Middle School Principal, and Deputy Head of School at Nanjing International School. His international education career also includes successful roles in the UK, Haiti and Qatar. He holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, an M.Ed. in Education, and a B.A. in History, and is proud to have begun his journey as an educator as an Americorps volunteer with the “I Have A Dream” Foundation in rural Oregon.

Originally from Virginia in the United States, Kasson now calls Indiana his home. He is accompanied by his wife Olivia, an early childhood educator, and their ninth-grade son, Harris. When not facilitating inclusive and equitable educational practices, Kasson enjoys cycling, hip-hop and his eternal quest for the perfect cup of coffee. 

Kasson believes that students learn best when they feel a strong sense of belonging and experience just the right balance of challenge and support. He is an active member and frequent presenter for the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), and an Evaluation Leader for the Council of International Schools (CIS). Kasson is currently the Head of School at Hong Kong Academy. Prior to joining HKA, Kasson served learning communities in the United States, Scotland, Haiti, Qatar and Nanjing. He has been accompanied by his wife Olivia, an elementary educator, and their son, Harris. When not facilitating inclusive and equitable educational practices, Kasson enjoys cycling, hip-hop and his eternal quest for the perfect cup of coffee.

Student Support Services Director, Child Protection Officer

John Shanahan

John strongly believes in providing equitable learning opportunities for all students, as well as the power and mutual benefit that comes from learning with, and from, a diverse community.  He is an Australian trained educational and developmental psychologist and learner support teacher with more than twenty years experience. Before joining HKA, he worked in private practice, providing psychological and educational support to families and international schools across Asia. 

John consults, advocates for, and leads professional development around inclusion, socio-emotional resiliency, and learning enhancement. He is also passionate about his work with non-profit organisations, and has served on the executive committee of the Dyslexia Association of Hong Kong and the Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong, of which he is an Honorary Past President. John is currently an advisor to Kids4Kids, a local charity which is internationally recognised for encouraging international school students to engage with at-risk communities in Hong Kong.  John also sits on the Executive Committee, and Chairs the Safety Committee, of Outward Bound Hong Kong. Originally from the United Kingdom, John has spent most of his life living in Hong Kong. He is a parent to two children in Primary School.

Primary School Principal

Virginia Lockman Hunt

Virginia believes that children make sense of their world by constructing meaning in an inclusive and authentic environment where students have opportunities for experiential learning by interacting with their social and natural world. She values diversity and the range of gifts students and adults bring to a learning environment. Virginia prides herself on the development and support of collaboration and self-directed learning in teachers and students. She is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Leader Trainer and a Next Frontier Inclusion Reviewer, and is currently in the process of becoming an Adaptive Schools trainer. Virginia holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and an Advanced Master’s in Educational Leadership. She is certified as an early childhood and  elementary school educator and school administrator by New York State. Virginia lives in Sai Kung and both of her children graduated from Hong Kong Academy. Her children most valued the opportunities they had to explore an additional language and the range of sports on offer.

Secondary School Principal

Joanna Crimmins

Joanna is dedicated to cultivating a school environment where every student feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive in their learning.  As an experienced international educator she has worked with young people for 25 years in multiple countries around the world; originally from Wales in the UK, Joanna has also taught internationally in Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.  She believes strong relationships with parents and the wider community are vital in ensuring students are supported as they move through their school life. Joanna has a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Education from the University of Wales, a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from The Open University, UK and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) from the UK Government Department of Education. Joanna enjoys going to the theatre, travelling and immersing herself in a good book; often to keep herself informed about the latest trends in education.

Secondary School Assistant Principal

Simon Roberts

As the Secondary School Assistant Principal, Simon believes that every student can find success through pursuing their passions, hobbies and interests. Recognising and rewarding the diversity of success is what builds confidence in students and allows them to make progress within their individual pathways. As an experienced educator, Simon has developed educational programmes in the UK, Shanghai and Hong Kong. He values inclusion, diversity and opportunity. Simon holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science and a Masters in Health and Wellbeing. He gained qualified teacher status in Secondary Physical Education in the UK and is currently pursuing a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Centre. In his spare time, Simon is a keen sportsman and keeps a very close eye on his favourite football team, Leeds United. He also enjoys travelling, trying new restaurants and spending time on the beach with his family.

MYP Coordinator

Dahlia Atabani

Dahlia believes that great education invites learners of all ages into a lifelong dialogue about ideas, identity and belonging. With over a decade of international experience, she has taught and coordinated across MYP and DP Visual Arts, Design, and Interdisciplinary Learning, she is also an IBEN Workshop and Programme Leader and DP Visual Arts examiner. Her professional interests lie in assessment reform, Universal Design for Learning, and systems thinking approaches to leadership, especially as they relate to dismantling structural barriers and designing schools that work for all learners. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Printmaking and Illustration from the University of Printing Arts ( Moscow, Russia ) and is currently pursuing her Master of Education in Advanced Teaching from the University of the People (Pasadena, US). Born in Qatar, and having studied across the IB, IGCSE and Russian National curricula, Dahlia brings a multicultural lens to her work. In her free time, she experiments with paper engineering, explores galleries and heritage spaces, and takes the occasional bookshop detour. Dahlia is joined at HKA by her 6-year-old daughter.

DP Coordinator / Sciences Teacher

Claire Shaffery

Claire Shaffery is an accomplished IBDP Coordinator and G11-G12 Curriculum Leader with over two decades of experience in education. Having taught Science, Biology and Environmental Systems and Societies courses across multiple curriculums, she is also an IBDP Biology Examiner. Claire’s passion lies in empowering student choice and delivering a holistic education. She is deeply committed to guiding students through their secondary school years enabling them to fulfil their potential and supporting their post-secondary aspirations.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Claire graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Medical Biochemistry and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Keele. She is currently undertaking the UK-affiliated National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). After teaching in both Birmingham and London in the UK, Claire began her international career at Hong Kong Academy ten years ago. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and South America and thrives on meeting new people and experiencing new and diverse cultures. In her free time, she enjoys playing chess and mahjong and has run nine half-marathon fund-raisers.

English as an Additional Language Coordinator / Secondary School EAL Teacher

Mats Haaland

In his role as HKA’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) Coordinator, Mats supports the creation of inclusive, language-rich environments that empower every student to thrive. With over a decade of international teaching experience, Mats is deeply committed to fostering teacher collaboration, providing instructional coaching, and developing effective educational systems. Now in his fourth year at Hong Kong Academy, he has previously taught in Italy, Poland, and China. Mats holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the School for International Training Graduate Institute, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey. Beyond the classroom, Mats draws on his background as a competitive tennis player to stay active through various sports, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors of Sai Kung.

Athletics Director / Physical & Health Education Teacher

Dan Sherwood

Passionate about inclusion and differentiation, Dan understands that every student learns differently and tailors his approach to foster sportsmanship, teamwork and personal growth. He believes that the skills learned in physical education extend beyond the field and emphasises the importance of decision-making, goal-setting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. His primary goal is to empower students through physical activity, using it as a tool to boost self-esteem and self-confidence. Originally from England, Dan brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to his role, he holds a degree in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences. Before becoming an educator, Dan was a multisports coach and scuba diving instructor, and managed his own dive school in Indonesia. He then pursued his teaching degree with Sunderland University and joined Hong Kong Academy. Outside of school, Dan enjoys hiking, playing football, and golf.

Facilities and Operations Director

Nicole Bolle

Nicole is responsible for coordinating with HKA’s leadership team to provide outstanding facility management and operational services. She succeeds by applying her technical and engineering background to our educational context ensuring high quality services are delivered and risks mitigated. Nicole believes that strong strategic partnerships are essential in ensuring that the best talent and strengths are engaged to support our captivating learning environment. She recognises the importance of her role nurturing HKA community members to become active and engaged global citizens, and enjoys working with faculty, students and parents in promoting sustainability and best practice. She is a Certified Facility Manager, a member of the International Facility Association and recently completed a certified carbon auditor training course.  She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Arts from Monash University, Melbourne and has over 15 years of international work experience. Nicole has worked on a number of large scale construction projects including the Taiwan High Speed Rail, installation of gas pipelines in the South China Sea, Ocean Park Aquarium and Entry Plaza, as well as our very own HKA campus.  Nicole’s three children are students at HKA.

Institutional Advancement Director

Lynne McCall

Lynne brings a unique blend of commercial acumen and a deep personal connection to her role. With over two decades of experience in international business development and client services within the textiles and sourcing industry, Lynne honed her skills in strategic thinking, project management, and fostering collaborative relationships. This background provided her with a strong foundation in building partnerships and understanding diverse stakeholder needs. A proud parent of two HKA alumni, her journey with the school began 12 years ago when as a new Primary School parent she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of HKA’s mission and community values. This personal resonance led her to join the staff four years later giving her the opportunity to apply her expertise and passion to advance the school’s mission and connect individuals in service of its students. Lynne holds a BSc Honors degree in Clothing Engineering and Modern Languages from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Lynne loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, dragonboating and sailing in her spare time.

Finance Director

Jojit Au Yeung

Jojit is responsible for aligning the school’s financial resources to support HKA’s mission and long-term goals, ensuring the delivery of an exceptional international education. He collaborates closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees and Leadership Teams to secure the necessary resources for the school to achieve its strategic priorities. Drawing on 30 years of experience in finance and accounting and as a seasoned entrepreneur, he understands the importance of a sustainable financial model, underpinned by practical systems and procedures, for the success of an independent, non-profit school. Since joining the school in 2014 he has made significant contributions to the development of HKA’s financial and human resources management practices and standards, and takes the lead in ensuring that the community is well informed about the role of finance by providing regular communication and reporting. Jojit holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong and is a proud parent of an HKA Secondary School student. In his free time Jojit enjoys making good coffee, cooking, and volunteering to support young entrepreneurs and animal welfare.

Technology Director

Andy Birch

Andy has been in education for over 25 years and is passionate about the power of technology to offer meaningful and enhanced learning opportunities to staff, students and parents. During his experience at various international schools, and through his Master’s in Educational Technology, Andy has developed a rich understanding of technology in education and is highly invested in guiding the HKA community in digital wellbeing and the purposeful use of technology. As well as supporting multiple school events, technical theatre, developing HKA’s technology infrastructure and training staff, Andy presents at global conferences and workshops helping to share technology systems in schools. Andy is also a family man whose two children attend HKA. He endeavours to balance the powerful forces of technology within his own family by exploring  the amazing virtual environments offered through gaming whilst also enjoying outdoor pursuits such as hiking and biking. He is also on the committee for the Sai Kung Stingrays as we as managing their U16 team and coaching volleyball for HKA.

Performing Arts Director

Jean Morris

Jean is a passionate performing arts educator, who believes that through vibrant, inclusive performing arts programmes, students develop creativity, confidence and self-expression. She believes that by creating a safe environment for performance, students can take risks, innovate, problem solve and communicate ideas which deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. 

Jean began her teaching career in New Zealand and has developed performing arts programmes at all levels in international schools in Indonesia, Laos, Argentina, Ecuador and Kazakhstan. She has over twenty years of experience in directing and choreography. She has coordinated International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA), Choral and Dance Festivals and forensic competitions throughout South America and New Zealand. 

She is a committed life-long learner and most recently completed an MBA in Educational Leadership through the University of Cumbria. In her spare time, Jean loves to perform in community projects and local theatre companies. She likes to relax by playing the piano, doing yoga, taking long walks with her husband, and catching up with her two children who live and work in New Zealand and Australia.