Meet our team!
Following on from last week's edition where we introduced our Heads of Year/Pastoral Team as part of our new Academic and Pastoral leadership structure, we are now excited to shine a spotlight on our Deans.
Mrs Kim Eagle
Dean of Curriculum
A dedicated member of the Teaching and Learning Team at Clayfield College, Kim Eagle brings a deep commitment to student growth and a passion for creating an engaging curriculum. She believes that achieving balance in life is key to personal and academic success.
"Wellbeing is about being happy and healthy in all aspects of life. It’s about embracing both physical and mental health so we can fully enjoy all that life has to offer."
Stepping into her new role as our Dean of Curriculum, Kim is eager to contribute even more to the Clayfield community.
"I am thrilled to be part of such a passionate and experienced team. I look forward to embedding myself even more deeply within this group and ensuring that we continue to deliver an engaging curriculum that caters to all students."
As she looks ahead to 2025, she anticipates even more moments of connection and joy. "Joy is what I look forward to the most. Every day, the energy and kindness I experience at Clayfield make it a pleasure to come to work."
Clayfield College is built on the values of care, integrity, resilience, and respect, principles that she holds in high regard. Among them, she finds care to be the most impactful. "They are all interconnected, but if I had to choose one, it would be care. If we take care of ourselves, others, and the world around us, everything else naturally follows."
She aligns closely with the College’s motto, 'Let your light shine,' seeing it as a powerful reminder of the role educators play in shaping students' futures.
"It’s about finding what makes you come alive and nurturing it. But beyond that, it means being a source of warmth for those around you, leaving people lighter and happier than before they met you."
Her greatest inspiration comes from the students themselves. "Their energy is contagious! Their belief that anything is possible makes this work so rewarding. Seeing their enthusiasm and resilience gives me confidence that the future is in good hands."
When asked about advice for students navigating their school journey, she encourages them to step outside their comfort zones.
"Try everything! Don’t be afraid of failure, now is the time to experiment, explore, and learn. You never know what you might discover about yourself."
With her dedication to student success and a vision for a supportive and engaging school environment, Kim will no doubt continue to make a significant impact at Clayfield College, fostering a culture of care, learning, and inspiration. Just this week, we celebrated Kim's fifteen years of service to the College - how blessed we are to have her apart of Team Clayfield.
Mr Adrian Walker
Dean of Secondary
Adrian Walker, our newly appointed Dean of Secondary (Acting), has a deep passion for education and is committed to fostering growth within our students.
"Wellbeing is about achieving balance in life. It means making time for family, friends, exercise, and sleep, so that we can show up at Clayfield College as the best version of ourselves," he shares.
Stepping into his new role, Adrian is eager to contribute to the Clayfield community in meaningful ways. "I’m excited to continue supporting our Arts events, embrace the rich traditions of our Houses, and implement some creative ideas to boost House and College spirit," he says.
He looks forward to strengthening the vibrant culture of the College. "I’m looking forward to embracing the vibrant Clayfield spirit through our House events and activities and seeing students grow and thrive in all aspects of College life."
Clayfield College is built on the values of care, integrity, resilience, and respect, principles that Adrian holds in high regard. Among them, he finds care to be the most impactful.
"Care is my favourite value. I think it’s something we do exceptionally well at Clayfield. It’s why I love coming to work each day – to care for others and be cared for in return."
As an educator, Adrian aligns closely with the College motto, 'Let your light shine.' He sees this as an opportunity to help students discover their strengths and passions. "To me, it means that our role as educators is to connect with every student and help ignite their passion, whether that’s in the Arts, sports, outdoor education, or an academic subject. It’s about helping each student find and share their unique light."
His greatest inspiration comes from the students themselves. "The energy and creativity of our students is absolutely infectious! They inspire me every day with their ideas and enthusiasm."
When asked about advice for students navigating their school journey, Adrian encourages them to take advantage of every opportunity. "Prioritise your wellbeing, immerse yourself in College life, and give everything a go. You’ll be surprised by what you discover about yourself when you step out of your comfort zone."
With his dedication to student success and a vision for an engaging, supportive school environment full of College spirit, Adrian is set to make a significant impact at Clayfield College.
Ms Toni Kirton
Dean of Safeguarding and Wellbeing (Pre-Prep to Year 12)
Toni Kirton, our Dean of Wellbeing and Safeguarding, brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for student wellbeing to her position.
Throughout her career in education, Toni has held various roles, including Teacher, Learning Support Teacher, Year Level Coordinator, Personal Counsellor, Careers Counsellor, and Senior Leadership Team member.
Her experience spans girls', boys’, and co-educational environments, allowing her to develop a well-rounded approach to student care and development.
A lifelong learner, Toni holds undergraduate qualifications in psychology and sociology, along with postgraduate qualifications in Counselling, Leadership, and Business Psychology. Her commitment to continuous learning reflects her dedication to supporting the holistic development of students.
Toni was drawn to Clayfield College after reading the position description for the Dean of Wellbeing and Safeguarding. "When I read the position description, I was curious to hear more. When I read the Strategic Intent, I was sold. Wellbeing by belonging resonated deeply with me as it is a game changer for all young people."
Her decision to pursue a career in education stems from her passion for working with young people. "There are a number of reasons why I choose to work in schools and continue to do so some 20 years later. Working with young people is a gift, and walking alongside them on their learning journey is extremely rewarding. Witnessing a young person have an ‘ah hah’ moment when things click into place is great."
Toni also values giving students a voice and ensuring they feel seen and heard.
"Providing students with the opportunity to express themselves and feel acknowledged kept me in school counselling for many years."
Outside of work, Toni enjoys spending time with her family. She has a daughter who recently started Prep and a beloved fur baby, Ziggy. As a family, they enjoy outdoor activities such as going to the beach and the park. Although she still enjoys running, she humorously admits, "It’s more of a shuffle these days."
An interesting fact about Toni is her passion for renovating properties, she has completed ten renovations to date.
Toni shares that she is most excited about being part of the Clayfield College community and watching the development of our young people. With her extensive experience, passion for student wellbeing, and dedication to lifelong learning, Toni is a valuable addition to Team Clayfield!
Mrs Miriam Bryan
Dean of Primary
For our Dean of Primary, Miriam Bryan, wellbeing is found in life’s simple pleasures. She shares, "Wellbeing for me is the opportunity to sit down to drink a cup of tea or curl up on the couch with my puppy and a good detective story."
Stepping into her new role, she is eager to focus on curriculum development and pedagogy. "Being the Dean of Primary means I can spend more time focusing on curriculum delivery and pedagogy in the Primary School. I am most looking forward to working with the Teaching and Learning team to develop their practice through our Professional Learning Community groups."
Looking ahead in 2025, she is excited about the many opportunities awaiting students in the Primary School:
"There are so many exciting things happening in the Primary School, but I am most looking forward to teaching Year 6 Drama and the inaugural Year 3 camp out at the start of Term 4."
Among the College’s core values, care, integrity, resilience, and respect, one stands out to her above the rest.
"My favourite value is respect because it allows the other three to thrive. If we have respect, we will care for ourselves, for each other, and for the world around us. If we have respect, we cannot help but show integrity through our honesty, strength, and connection with others. And when we show respect, we are able to build resilience in ourselves and those who need our support."
The College motto, 'Let your light shine,' holds deep meaning for her. "The Bible tells us to let our light shine and not hide it under a clay pot, so that we can set a good example to others and light the way for others to see God through us. I think this is a huge ask, but every day I try to use my strengths to guide others and appreciate when someone else’s strengths are lighting my way."
Her greatest inspiration comes from her colleagues.
"The Primary Teaching Team inspire me every day. I am so grateful for their professionalism and expertise, their willingness to go above and beyond, and their drive to illuminate the sky for their students."
For students navigating their school journey, she offers words of wisdom. "Try not to think about education as something that is done TO you by other people. Rather, think of it as something YOU do, so that you are an active participant in your journey. By wondering and asking questions, by thinking and listening, by watching and observing, reading and viewing, practicing and trying, you might find that you start to enjoy it and will continue your education long after you have finished school."
With a passion for learning, leadership, and respect, Miriam continues to make a meaningful impact at our College, shaping a bright future for students and staff alike.