Staff Spotlight

Del Smidt

What is your full name?

Delwyn Smidt 

 What schools have you taught at?    

Wow - that’s a long list. I have been teaching since 1984 and have taught in QLD - starting at Toowoomba State High School. In 1985 I taught at Taroom - which was a high top ( Preschool to Year 10) I then taught at Ipswich State High School also in 1985 with 2000 students and 14 PE teachers. The next 5 years were at Ferny Grove SHS and then in 1991 I went back to my old high school Aspley State High to teach until 1993. The next year was as a district relieving teacher where I taught at Newmarket SHS, Kedron SHS, Sandgate Special School and Aspley Special School.

In 1995 we moved to Rockhampton where I taught at too many schools to remember as I was a casual teacher.  In 1996 I also taught at Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School and Elanora State High School

Then I started my teaching work in NSW. In 1996 we moved to Banora Point where I worked at St Joseph’s Banora Point amd also Mt St Patrick in Murwillumbah. 

In 1997 I started working at Coolangatta Special School until the end of 2000.

From 2001- 2004 I worked at The Cathedral School in Grafton and also Catherine McCauley (now McAuley Catholic College) in Grafton.

In 2006/2006  I ran my own business but also worked teaching Preschool- Year 2 PE at Lindisfarne Anglican School at Terranora and at Varsity Lakes in QLD and some time as a teacher- librarian at Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School.

From 2007- 2013 I was the Head of Sport and PE at New England Girls School.

In 2014 I started at O’Connor and am still here.

What years and subjects are you teaching? 

I am currently teaching Years 7-10 PDHPE and year 12 CAFS. I have taught Science, English and History and worked in the library.

I also teach a Certificate 1 in Business Services to a Stage 5 class at St Philomena’s Moree.It is a pilot program and has been very successful. I will go from a class of 7 this year to a class of 11 for 2021.

What jobs have you had?

Lots of different jobs ranging from working at KMart, Hungry Jacks, Fletchers Fotographics, teaching Learn to Swim at numerous schools and I had my own pilot and aviation supply business SkyShop at the Gold Coast Airport for 2 years

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you enjoy? 

I enjoy all types of sport, surfing, SUPing, whitewater kayaking and the gym. I also love reading and sewing.

Where have you lived?

Brisbane, Toowoomba, Taroom, Rockhampton, Banora Point, Minnie Water, Grafton and Armidale.

What do you like about O’Connor

I love the collegiality of the staff and the compassionate and caring nature of all who are involved with the school.

I enjoy the variety of subjects that I get to teach and the students that I can impart knowledge to.

Thanks Mrs Smidt