Matthew O’Brien
is the Principal and CEO of Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, a K–12
independent day and boarding school in Western Australia. He is passionate
about innovative education, student wellbeing, and the development of learning
environments that support deep thinking and engagement.
Under his
leadership, Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School became one of the first schools in
Western Australia to implement a fully phone-free school day through the Yondr
pouch system, alongside a broader focus on attention, focus, and healthy
digital habits for students. The School is also pioneering a whole-cohort model
of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award to strengthen character
education, experiential learning, and student development beyond the classroom,
supported by structured goal setting and authentic student reflections included
in school reports.
Matthew has presented nationally and internationally on educational leadership,
change management, and learning space design. He serves as a Board Member of
the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) and remains
actively engaged in regional and global education networks through governance,
collaboration, and professional dialogue.