Qualified swimming instructor passionate and dedicated to teach my students to become comfortable, confident and one with the water.

Andrea's CV

PERSONAL DETAILS
Seeking a position as a Teaching Assistant/Child Care or swimming Instructor with special interest in Art and Swimming. I am looking for a fulfilling role where I can use my recent learning in Art Therapy (ongoing) to help children express themselves with art. I can also add value by offering swimming lessons to instill confidence in water for children. I aim to be a reliable, consistent and a professional teacher by being presentable, punctual and motivational in the classroom and pool.

COMPUTER SKILLS
• MS-Office o Excel o Powerpoint o Word
• Limited Pastel Accounting (invoicing)
• eMail

EDUCATION
Art Therapy Counsellor, Udemy, Art Therapy – Arts for Self-Healing (Part One) and Arts

Therapy for Self Exploration (Part 2)
Started the online study course in 2020 and hope to progress to the Arts Therapy - how to use Art Therapy with other people once my base courses have been completed

Training for Swimming instructor, Starfish Aquatics Institute and Padi Swim School, course covered StarBabies, StarTots, Swim School, Stroke School, Swim Team and StarFun & Fitness.
Completed required in-pool hours post the course.

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Johannesburg 2013-2014. Completed first year in 2014 and first semester of year 2. Due to the loss of a family member I found it difficult to continue and left in June 2015.

Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design, Design School of Southern Africa, Randburg, SA; 2012
• First year Subjects - Basic illustration, Art & Design Theory and Research 1, Graphic Design 1, Production Theory, Basic Drawing, Basic Photography, Visual Communication 1, Commercial
Art 1
• After completing six months, I have had to defer my studies to 2013, based on medical grounds and my desire to work with people and not the computer.

Matriculation (IEB). Kingsmead College, Johannesburg, South Africa; 2011
• Subjects – English, Mathematical Literacy (A), German, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Life Orientation, Visual Art
• Achievements Awarded Matriculation Exemption for Bachelor Degree
Gold Presidents Award
Represented school at Hockey and Swimming
Awarded the Maisie Waite Art Prize for artistic ability in 2011

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), St Teresa’s School, Surrey, UK; 2009
• Subjects – Mathematics, English, English Literature, German, Visual Art (A), Geography, Biology , Chemistry and History
• Achievements Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Represented school at Hockey, Rounder’s and Swimming
Awarded Sports and Art Scholarships to the Sixth Form

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Swimming Teacher (Swimsational) May 2018 – May 2019
Taught junior and adults to swim at various pools, doing Learn-to-swim, classes and stroke correction.

• Au Pair: May 2017 – May 2018
Worked for a working family in Bryanston looking after two children, aged 6 & 8 years old. I collected from school (Montrose) and transported home and assisted with homework. Assisted with extramural activities such as dancing and swimming and activities at home and outings to fill the time.

• Trainee manager, 5* guest house and kitchen manager, 2017
Worked at Dunkeld Manor as a trainee across all parts of the guest house. Assisted with administrative tasks – bookings, invoicing, ordering, responding to comments on social media; front of house – reception, guest relations, checking in / out, recommendations for activities, etc; and back of house – kitchen (cooking breakfast), staff training, housekeeping, security, etc.

• Au Pair: May 2013 – 2016
Working for a single father (advocate in Sandton) looking after his 10-year girl. I collected her from school (St Catherine’s) and brought her home and assisted her with homework. During her last 2 years of school her marks improved from an average of 45% to 60%. Once at senior school, she no longer required the attention I provided over the past years.

• Part-time au pair, Feb 2012 – July 2012
Looked after a four year old boy in afternoons, and some evenings and mornings. Also cooked evening meal. I stopped due to health reasons as I felt I could not commit fully during my recuperation. Looked after two children in afternoons while the mom cared for new baby. Also did morning lift to school. Did all after-school activity lifts and general entertainment. Twomonth contract.

• Personal Assistant: January 2013 –March 2013
Responsible for stock control, reception, and sales for an imported beauty product range that is distributed through wholesalers and shops. Reconciled stock counts on excel, typed orders to suppliers in Israel and designed pricelists, information booklets and advertising ideas.

WHAT I'VE LEARNT FROM MY EXPERIENCES
Tenacity – with my Presidents Award, I learnt that it is much harder to persevere than to give up. On my final Adventurous Journey, our group was pony-trekking in the Lesotho Mountains. Temperatures dropped much lower than expected and the rain poured down. We were given the chance to stay in the shepherd’s hut and miss reaching the village where we were to perform some community service tasks. I voted to suffer the discomfort and reached the village and had an amazing experience with the local families.

Dedication – when I transferred from England to South Africa I was faced with changing from an A-level programme to the Matriculation system. The school I chose did not offer German, my only second language. I took private German lessons for two years to gain my matriculation certificate. Without dedication in this regard, I would not have been successful in my application for tertiary education.

Follow Dreams and Think Big – During my years at school I have attended numerous career days and assessments to help define future paths. I have consistently been told to consider the care services industry, such as Physiotherapy, Psychology, Occupational Therapy or teaching. While I am interested in helping others, especially children, I was more drawn to the creative side. Graphic design was not what I expected so I completed 1.5 years at University of Johannesburg of BA Psychology. This too seemed too theoretical for me, so I took time to reconsider my options. Nursery teaching has been in the back of my mind for some time now, and I have decided to Follow my Dreams and Think Big! I am registered for an Art Therapy online course aimed at helping children, and wish to get hands-on experience in this field while I study. I hope to use my enthusiastic nature and arty side to full capacity as a Teacher’s Assistant.

I hope to be invaluable in any environment - I am a quick learner, love being around people and having fun. I feel I have the qualities to bring added-
value to my place of work.