Caloundra Campus

Over the past sixteen years Jason has taught in a variety of settings, but has spent a significant portion of his time in the SAS school area, honing skills and developing strategies to provide a quality education for all students. The last five years have been spent in a variety of management positions guiding growth of students and staff alike.

He is extremely passionate about providing quality opportunities for learning and growth, in all areas, for students. After spending the last twenty years in Hervey Bay he has made the move to Kairos and couldn’t be happier with his decision.

Nigel has enjoyed a wide variety of positions in his teaching career, beginning in remote Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory, before further study saw him qualify as an Outdoor Education Instructor, working in that field for a number of years. He has taught in both Primary and Secondary school settings, most recently as the Head of Special Education Services in an Education Queensland Secondary College, and he has a passion for working with students to identify and work towards successful pathways post Year 12.

Nigel loves staying active as a runner, cyclist and surfer, and enjoys camping with family and friends

Dana is a qualified social worker with a Dual Diploma in Vocational Education, Training, and Design. With extensive experience across the disability, education, and youth work sectors, she began her career as a trainer over nine years ago, driven by a passion for sharing her knowledge with those aspiring to work in support roles. Dana has primarily taught qualifications in mental health, youth work, and child, youth, and family intervention. Last year, she partnered with PeakCare Qld to develop and deliver a 10-day training course for aspiring youth workers throughout Queensland, offering valuable insights into the Residential Youth sector. Dana is dedicated to empowering and mentoring young people, tailoring educational approaches that foster confidence and open doors to future opportunities.

Outside of work, Dana loves spending time outdoors, playing soccer, travelling, and being with family and friends.

Amanda started her journey studying a Bachelor of Arts, specialising in Criminology (Psychology and Sociology) and Sports Studies. After working in police investigations and then moving into a more proactive, community-oriented approach with minority groups, she developed a genuine passion for crime prevention and youth work.

After 6 years navigating the policing services, Amanda initiated her next pathway into youth work in 2012, as well as further studies in counselling, psychology, hypnotherapy and alternative therapies. During this time, Amanda developed her youth work experience in a residential care setting, another independent school for males with challenging behaviours, and an all-girls school boarding house. Amanda is currently undertaking further studies in Counselling and Youth Work and is passionate about the overall wellbeing, safety and happiness of all young people locally, nationally and globally.

Kirsty began her teaching career in the UK before moving to Australia in 2016. She spent over six years working in a special assistance high school in NSW and is passionate about creating learning environments where every student feels valued and supported.

After relocating to Queensland, Kirsty joined Kairos to continue working in a setting that celebrates diverse learning needs. She teaches Social and Community Studies, Literacy, and Entrepreneurship, and is committed to helping students achieve success both academically and personally.

Kirsty enjoys getting to know each student’s unique personality and believes strong, respectful relationships are the foundation of learning. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her dog Luna, reading, and relaxing at the beach.

Josh is an avid traveller who has spent two years in Canada and England respectively. Whilst overseas, he was presented the opportunity to teach which was a fabulous experience.  The collaborative approach and tight community at Kairos are two educational concepts which fit his values perfectly.

Josh loves sport and spends most of his time playing or going to games. With this, he naturally loves the outdoors, and finds having the opportunity to take students outside and around our community for valuable learning experiences really invigorating.

Owen is our Ethics, Art, Arts-in-Practice and Certificate II in Active Volunteering teacher. Owen has been an Educator at Kairos since the schools opening in 2015 and he is the only teacher to have had the privilege of working at both the Deception Bay and Caloundra campuses.

Previous to working with Kairos, Owen resided in Melbourne where he spent his time successfully gaining awareness of dramatic arts as an actor, theatre director, lighting designer and sound designer. During this time Owen was employed by the Darebin Council Youth Theatre Company Platform; who were committed to diversity with participants including marginalised young people, recent migrants, young people with disabilities and disenfranchised youth. Owen believes theatre games are an inordinately powerful tool for students to build self-expression and determination skills, facilitating students around a shared goal and shared ideas which allow young people collective ownership of their creations.

Jake completed his Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in 2022, specialising in Science and English. Jake values the Kairos ethos and aligns them with his own teaching practices. He is delighted to have begun his teaching career here at Kairos and is always ready to show his passion for teaching.

Jake is a lover of all things pop-culture, and you will frequently hear him making references to movies, TV shows, comic books and video games. Additionally, he loves to laugh and have fun no matter what he is teaching or doing.

With over a decade of experience in both Primary and Secondary education, including roles in Mainstream and Special Education Units, Kristy brings a wealth of knowledge to her current position at Kairos. As both our Hospitality Facilitator and a dedicated Teacher Aide, Kristy is committed to nurturing students’ educational journeys within a SAS school environment rooted in a tribal philosophy.

Kristy is deeply committed to supporting young people in realising their full potential, both academically and personally. She thrives on creating inclusive and diverse educational experiences that cater to individual learning needs, creating learning environments where all students can thrive and contribute positively to their communities. Beyond the classroom, Kristy mentors students in essential life skills such as cooking and budgeting, reflecting her passion for practical education.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys exploring her culinary interests, staying active, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Her appreciation for life’s joys, including great coffee and culturally inspired foods, further enriches her dedication to student success and holistic development.

Hayley has undertaken a number of teaching roles with young people of all ages. She began working with the NRL to teach rugby league in schools for two years, and taught learn-to-swim survival skills for five years. Hayley began her studies in a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is currently studying a Certificate IV in School Based Education Support.

Hayley has a drive to show young people today that they are all capable of achieving incredible things and believes everyone deserves an educational support system that works with care to consider the diverse requirements of people from all backgrounds.

Oki completed his Bachelor of Social Work degree on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, and throughout his studies, he actively sought opportunities to engage with the local community, working closely with various service providers to support marginalised young people and their families.

Oki’s professional journey has encompassed diverse roles within the social work field, spanning both community-based organisations and private practice settings. This varied experience has allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the social service landscape and hone his skills in client engagement, assessment, and case management. These experiences have not only broadened his professional horizons but also deepened his commitment to empowering individuals and families to achieve their full potential.

He has always had a a desire to return to working alongside the youth community and when the opportunity presented itself at Kairos, Oki was eager to join and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and help them navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood.

Jane joins us with a background in web programming, working for over twenty years for government and private clients in the education, rehabilitation, and compliance industries. She switched to school administration eighteen months ago and loves being able to contribute to creating a welcoming environment for students and families. She is very excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Kairos Community College team.

In her spare time (when she’s not playing taxi driver to her three children), Jane enjoys going to the beach, playing soccer and basketball, and writing short stories for competitions.

Working across both campuses, Darren is responsible for VET coordination and Diverse Learning support (NCCD). He has a Bachelor of Education with First Class Honours, a Diploma of Ministries and Theology, and a Cert IV in Career Development. Darren’s passion is developing young people holistically, helping them to be the best they can be. He believes a flexible and supportive learning environment is crucial, and his goal is to assist young people to successfully graduate with their senior education (QCE) while gaining external qualifications. In recognition of his impact on student learning and pathways, Darren was awarded Fisher Educator of the Year in 2025.

When not at Kairos, Darren enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children and being outdoors and active.