Meet The Team
Jacqui O’Connell – Founder
DBS, Paediatric First Aid, MHFA, and Reiki 1 & 2, Safeguarding.
When I deregistered my girls and embarked on our homeschool journey I was following my heart. I have had a very varied working life and had a sense all my threads would be used in some form together in my lifetime. After 3 years of weaving and discovering the fascinating world of home schooling Spiritus was born. I knew this was the road to take, everything started falling into place. I have an abundance of energy, it now has its use. Let’s say Spiritus is my second marriage, I am devoted to showing our boys & girls life is full of wonder, and to be curious. It’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Stuart Mackenzie – Drama, English Language and English Literature
When teaching drama or film making, it’s so important that the boys & girls feel inspired and uplifted as well as informed. A healthy and supportive environment is essential to bring out the best in every boy & girls, especially when doing performance arts. They have to trust themselves and their creative instincts and in order to do so, they have to trust in and relax with, the adults who provide their learning.
I have experience teaching a vast range of boys & girls from theatre companies and secondary schools to young offenders and NEET groups. I also had a production company for many years. I’ve learned that having fun and allowing ourselves to be silly is a great way of opening up and letting the inner star shine!
I trained as a drama facilitator with Lyric Hammersmith. I run comedy, drama and film clubs with The Bush Theatre, BFI Southbank, The Albany Theatre, White City Youth Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith.
Kristina Haile – English Language
For nearly two decade Kristina has been homeschooling, worldschooling, and facilitating the education of children. She has a background in Psychology, Child and Family studies, Parent Education and creative movement. Her passion lies in nurturing confidence in her students through hands-on immersive learning that goes beyond the boundary of subject and encourages them to draw on all of their skills. A strong believer in exercising the whole brain and the whole body; she has lead a wide variety of classes for homeschoolers ranging from PE to poetry and every subject between.
Visit kristinahaile.com for more information.
Pi Ratio – Maths and Science
I am a mathematical investigator born in the UK. Throughout my career, I’ve developed a wide range of interests spanning the financial, health, and education sectors.
Using my mathematical skills, I’ve tackled various challenges and uncovered the truth where falsehoods once resided.
My passion for mathematics has been a driving force in my life, and I’ve always been fascinated by the power of numbers and their ability to reveal hidden patterns and insights. Over the years, I’ve applied my expertise to investigate a wide range of problems, from financial fraud to public health crises.
Today, I continue to use my mathematical skills to uncover the truth wherever it may be found.
Michael Cooper – Sport
Hi, I’m Michael Cooper, CEO of SportsPlayMotion and Director of Motion4Kids. My journey with sports began when I moved from Germany to England at the age of 11. Adapting to a new country and financial constraints made things challenging, but sports became my refuge. Through school PE, amateur football, and boxing, I found not only solace but also crucial life skills like leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
Sports provided me with a sense of belonging and a way to connect with others during a time of high tension and conflict. This experience has shaped my commitment to using sports as a means to foster safety, build community, and create opportunities for diverse youth. I’m passionate about the role sports play in uniting people and making a positive impact, and I’m dedicated to driving these values forward through SportsPlayMotion and Motion4Kids.
My amazing team will be working with your young people at Spiritus. Please visit www.sportplaymotion.com to find out all about them.
Cilla Hall & Steve Roche – Web Design
Cilla and Steve built and maintain the Spiritus website. In 2022, they taught Computer Skills for a couple of terms, helping the young people learn how to design and build their own websites.