Mr Warren O’Neill is the Woodwork teacher in the Design & Technology Department at Wesley. He has been at the College for 18 years.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was encouraged to follow a career in Design and Technology teaching when I was at high school and quite enjoyed Woodwork and Metalwork classes. I was inspired by the way my high school teachers taught these practical classes as they were fun and encouraging environments. Initially, the thought of taking a class of 30 students was quite daunting, but my passion for the subject area made teaching it quite easy in the end.
What made you choose to join Wesley?
While I was teaching at another school, one of the staff noticed an advertisement for a D&T teacher at Wesley College and I thought that would be a great opportunity to teach in a prestigious private school. I still remember the day I arrived for the interview and was blown away by the feel of the College when walking around its wonderful grounds and historic buildings. I have never regretted this decision and hope for many more rewarding years ahead of me.
Outside of the College, what are your favourite things to do?
While I enjoy playing tennis, my passion is with water skiing. I used to perform with the WA Water Ski Division doing various acts on the water like pyramids and doubles lift acts, roulettes and skiing around the front of the boat. I have currently moved towards tournament water skiing, where people compete in three events: Slalom, Trick and Jump.
This has inspired me to give something back to the sport I have loved for so long. Now I take a handful of Wesley boys through the slalom course most Friday mornings in summer to hopefully compete in the occasional tournament.
During your years at Wesley, what changes have you seen in the College and in the students?
Well, so much has changed in my time here. Wesley is such a dynamic place to work with so many things constantly changing. The College’s commitment to a massive building schedule is awe-inspiring. Our students are so lucky to have access to these facilities. Technology is another game-changer with every Senior School student now with a laptop, instead of having to book a computer lab to do folio work. This has given me much better flexibility in my classes.
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