LEADERSHIP

Head of School

Stephen Dare

In his 13th year as Head of School, Stephen believes that everyone in an organisation has the capacity to contribute to the co-construction of learning experiences that both elevate thinking and promote action in support of broader educational initiatives. He is passionate about creating opportunities to democratise learning and elevate student voice within schools. Stephen began his career as a preschool teacher in Southeast England, and has worked as an administrator in North and South America as well as Southeast Asia. He is the treasurer of the ACAMIS Board and is on the Next Frontier: Inclusion Design Team. Stephen is an Agency Trainer for the Thinking Collaborative and has embedded the work of Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools into the professional learning culture of HKA, helping to implement the school’s mission and identity. He regularly presents courses on coaching and building institutional trust at international schools and conferences. Stephen initially left his home town for a two-year adventure overseas, and over thirty years later he continues to embrace the opportunities of working in a global culture.

Secondary School Principal

Teresa Tung

Teresa believes that great learning experiences should support each child to know themselves, understand the world, and be joyful, successful and contributing global citizens. An experienced international educator, Teresa has taught in three International Baccalaureate programmes, contributes regularly to IB curriculum development, participates in IB and Council of International School (CIS) authorisation school visits, and leads educator workshops on topics such as Approaches to Learning. Having previously served as a Global Citizen Diploma (GCD) Co-ordinator, Teresa brings her passion for and experience with the GCD to help students reflect on and gain recognition for their contributions academically and to the wider community. Exemplifying her own global citizenship, she is a part of Compass Education, empowering educators with the tools to encourage students as sustainability advocates and systems thinkers, and also as a course leader for Amala Education, which has developed the first international high school curriculum for young people who are displaced. Teresa holds a Certificate of International School Leadership from Principals’ Training Center and a Corporate Innovation Certificate from Stanford Business School. In addition, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters of Teaching from the University of Virginia. In her down time, Teresa is nourished by spending time with her family, including her son who is a proud HKA Dragonfly in Pre-K, and connecting with nature around Sai Kung.

Secondary School Assistant Principal / DP Co-ordinator

Joanna Crimmins

Joanna is an experienced IB educator who believes that young people learn best when authentic learning experiences allow them to develop an evolving understanding of our changing world. Joanna has worked with young people for nearly 20 years in multiple countries around the world; originally from Wales in the UK, Joanna has also taught internationally in Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Joanna believes strong relationships with parents and the wider community are vital in ensuring students are supported as they move through their school life. Joanna is passionate about the HKA community and is delighted to be working together with students, staff and parents to support the ongoing growth of our secondary school programme. Joanna has a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Education from the University of Wales and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from The Open University, UK.

Primary School Principal

Virginia 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 by New York State. Virginia lives in Sai Kung and both of her children have attended Hong Kong Academy. Her children most valued the opportunities they had to explore an additional language and the range of sports on offer.

Technology Director

Andy Birch

Andy has been in education for over 20 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, as well as through developing the ICT in the PYP framework with the IB, and his Master’s in Educational Technology, Andy has developed a rich understanding of technology in education and is invested in guiding the school in digital wellbeing and the purposeful use of technology. As well as supporting multiple events, technical theatre, developing the technology infrastructure, and training staff, Andy presents at conferences around the world, with engagements including India, Thailand, the United States, China and New Zealand. Andy is also a family man with two children at HKA who is also balancing the powerful forces of technology within his own family, and along with his children, is enjoying exploring the amazing virtual environments offered through gaming.

Student Support Services Director

John Shanahan

As a qualified educational and developmental psychologist, as well as a special education teacher, John believes in the importance of celebrating the uniqueness of every individual. Originally from the United Kingdom, John has spent most of his life living in Hong Kong. Before joining HKA, John worked in private practice, providing psychological and educational support to families and international schools here and in the region. John consults and leads professional development around inclusion, socio-emotional resiliency and learning, 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 Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong. John is currently an advisor to Kids4Kids, a local charity internationally recognized for encouraging international school students to engage with at-risk communities in Hong Kong and also sits on the Safety Committee of Outward Bound Hong Kong as their Psychologist. John is also an HKA parent, as his two children are Primary School students.

Research, Development and Communications Director

Jennifer Swinehart

As an advocate for nurturing diverse and inclusive communities, Jennifer believes that all learners should be empowered to pursue their passions as inquirers, collaborators and innovators. Whenever she is working with a group of learners, Jennifer seeks to create joyful learning environments that stimulate self-advocacy and agency. In addition to working within her own school community to construct these types of authentic learning experiences for both children and adults, Jennifer is a trainer at the Principals’ Training Center, is an Adaptive Schools Agency Trainer and regularly serves as a Council of International Schools Accreditation Team Chair. Jennifer’s love of literacy and communication led her to study Latin as her undergraduate major, and she is certified to teach both Secondary English/Language Arts and Humanities; her doctoral research explores secondary school student learning experiences through the lenses of culture, society and individual. In her free time, Jennifer is a keen nonfiction reader, Arsenal supporter and marathon runner.

Head of School

Stephen Dare

In his 13th year as Head of School, Stephen believes that everyone in an organisation has the capacity to contribute to the co-construction of learning experiences that both elevate thinking and promote action in support of broader educational initiatives. He is passionate about creating opportunities to democratise learning and elevate student voice within schools. Stephen began his career as a preschool teacher in Southeast England, and has worked as an administrator in North and South America as well as Southeast Asia. He is the treasurer of the ACAMIS Board and is on the Next Frontier: Inclusion Design Team. Stephen is an Agency Trainer for the Thinking Collaborative and has embedded the work of Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools into the professional learning culture of HKA, helping to implement the school’s mission and identity. He regularly presents courses on coaching and building institutional trust at international schools and conferences. Stephen initially left his home town for a two-year adventure overseas, and over thirty years later he continues to embrace the opportunities of working in a global culture.

Facilities and Operations Director

Nicole Bolle

Nicole is responsible for coordinating with the school leadership team to provide facility management and key operational services. She believes in applying her technical background to ensure high quality services are delivered and risks are mitigated within an educational context. From her experience, she has found that strong strategic partnerships are essential in ensuring that the best talent and strengths are found to support the school. Nicole recognises the importance of her role nurturing HKA community members to become active and engaged global citizens, and she enjoys working with faculty, students and parents in promoting sustainability and maintaining our captivating building. She is a Certified Facility Manager and a member of the International Facility Association and Hong Kong Green Building Council. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Arts from Monash University, Melbourne. Nicole has over 15 years of international working experience in Asia and has been fortunate to work 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 campus. Nicole’s three children are students in HKA’s Primary School.

Finance Director

Jojit Au Yeung

As a seasoned entrepreneur and professional accountant, Jojit knows that a sustainable financial model supported by practical systems and procedures is essential to the success of an independent, non-profit school. He has made a significant contribution to developing HKA’s financial management practices and standards, first as the school’s Finance Controller and now in his role as Finance Director. Jojit works closely with the Head of School, Board of Trustees and Leadership Teams to ensure the school has the necessary resources available to achieve its mission and strategic priorities. He regularly communicates about the role of finance in school operations to the community’s faculty, staff and parents. Jojit holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong and is a proud parent of a Secondary School student at HKA. In his free time, Jojit enjoys hiking, cooking and volunteering to support young entrepreneurs and animal welfare. As a coffee lover, you can find all sorts of coffee gadgets in his office.

Institutional Advancement Director

Lynne McCall

Lynne is in her tenth year as a parent at HKA, and was thrilled to join the HKA staff five years ago when, after a period of volunteering within the school, she discovered that HKA’s mission and community values resonated with her on a professional level as well as from an educational and personal perspective. Lynne believes in the power and capacity of many and enjoys bringing people together to connect the dots across any project which advances the school mission in service of the students. Before joining HKA, Lynne worked in the textiles and sourcing industry for 20 years in a variety of international business development, project management and leadership roles. This work allowed her to exercise her creative brain and develop her collaborative skills whilst giving her the opportunity to mentor and encourage her colleagues. Lynne holds a Bsc Honors degree in Clothing Engineering and Modern Languages from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Athletics and Co-Curricular Director

Simon Roberts

As the Athletics and Co-Curricular Director, Simon believes that school sport provides students with opportunities to grow as individuals, whilst also valuing their roles within teams. Sport has the power to challenge and inspire students to lead active and healthy lifestyles. As an experienced physical educator, Simon has developed sports programmes in the United Kingdom and Shanghai. He values the community spirit sports can develop and believes that a healthy school sports programme is a reflection of the wider school community. Simon holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science and a Masters in Health and Wellbeing. He also gained qualified teacher status in Secondary Physical Education in the United Kingdom. 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 and spending time on the beach with his daughter.

Performing Arts Director

Jean Morris

Jean is a passionate performing arts teacher, 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 believes in the notion of life-long learning 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.