St. Mary and All Angels School Names John O’Brien New Headmaster
Hiring Marks a Significant Milestone to Advance School

Aliso Viejo, CA, March 12, 2008—St. Mary and All Angels School announced today it has named John O’Brien as the school’s new Headmaster. Beginning July 1, 2008, O’Brien will oversee all operations of the 800 student non-denominational Christian school. After a nationwide search, his hiring is a significant milestone in moving the school forward as one of the premiere Christian private schools in Southern California and in the United States. O’Brien has worked in education for 28 years. Throughout his career, he served as a Headmaster, teacher, administrator and coach in elementary, middle and upper school education.  Currently, he serves as Headmaster at Saddle River Day School in Saddle River, New Jersey.

St. Mary’s Board of Trustees Chair, Kristen Chadwell, said, "We are thrilled to invite John to join our school community. His vision to develop the whole student emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and physically makes him a perfect match for St. Mary’s.”

Founding Headmaster, Father Ernest Sillers, who celebrated his 97th birthday last October, said, “St. Mary’s has grown from a small school to a highly sophisticated academic institution. We are very fortunate to find such a dynamic and experienced leader to direct the continued growth of this wonderful school.”

"St. Mary’s is a vibrant and dynamic school, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to join this wonderful, warm community as it prepares to take the next steps in its development.  I enthusiastically pledge to build on the very fine work that the founders, Board of Trustees, administration, parents, students, faculty and staff have accomplished over the past fourteen years," said O’Brien.

O’Brien received his Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Dartmouth College and Bachelor of Arts in History at Trinity College. His responsibilities as Headmaster at Saddle River Day School involve administration, budgetary planning, public relations, technology and curricular affairs. He spearheaded efforts that ensured a strong enrollment, increased annual giving and endowment totals by fifty percent and achieved reaccreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2007, he became a mentor in the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads.

Prior to serving at Saddle River Day School, O’Brien worked as Associate Headmaster from 2001 to 2005 at Viewpoint School, Calabasas, California. He was responsible for the upper school program that included student life, curriculum development, recruitment, evaluation and professional development of faculty, college counseling, budget, public relations, enrollment management and parent education. Before his appointment to the position of Associate Headmaster, he was Head of Middle School and Director of Summer Academic Program.

Founded in 1994 by Father Ernest D. Sillers, St. Mary and All Angels School is a non-denominational Christian school (preschool through grade eight). Students are equipped to be life-long learners, have faith-based principles and proceed as global-minded citizens. St. Mary’s is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), International Baccalaureate (IB), as well as affiliated with the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and South Orange County Association of Private and Parochial Schools (SOCAPS).  For more information, call (949) 448-9027 or visit www.smaa.org.

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