Matthew Cocks
Executive Director - Thembelihle School and Angel's Care Centre at Thembelihle School- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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Afrikaans Limited working proficiency
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Zulu Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Angela Burgess
Matt is an energetic, passionate and knowledgable field educator and a great mentor and manager. His enthusiasm for science and nature is unsurpassable and is a committed conservationist.
Angela Burgess
Matt is an energetic, passionate and knowledgable field educator and a great mentor and manager. His enthusiasm for science and nature is unsurpassable and is a committed conservationist.
Angela Burgess
Matt is an energetic, passionate and knowledgable field educator and a great mentor and manager. His enthusiasm for science and nature is unsurpassable and is a committed conservationist.
Angela Burgess
Matt is an energetic, passionate and knowledgable field educator and a great mentor and manager. His enthusiasm for science and nature is unsurpassable and is a committed conservationist.
Credentials
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Train the Trainer Certificate
ZAPIA Academy
Experience
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Thembelihle School
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South Africa
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Executive Director - Thembelihle School and Angel's Care Centre
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Jan 2022 - Present
Thembelihle is a STEAM School from Grade RRR to Grade 7, focusing on previously disadvantaged children from very impoverished communities within the uMngeni Municipality.Angel's Care Centre gives various forms of wellness care, nutrition, counselling, and family support to previously disadvantaged children from very impoverished communities within the uMngeni Municipality. Thembelihle is a STEAM School from Grade RRR to Grade 7, focusing on previously disadvantaged children from very impoverished communities within the uMngeni Municipality.Angel's Care Centre gives various forms of wellness care, nutrition, counselling, and family support to previously disadvantaged children from very impoverished communities within the uMngeni Municipality.
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WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa)
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Environmental Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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General Manager WESSA Education Centres
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Nov 2018 - Jan 2022
I oversee the managing and operation of all WESSA Education Centres. My mandate is to ensure that our centres are offering world class education programmes that are relevant to 21st century needs, using the fantastic and unique outdoor environments where each centre is located.I am responsible for developing, implementing and driving new or updated business plans and growth strategies, and ensuring that each centre is offering excellent education programmes and customer service, in a sustainable manner, both financially and operationally.this includes the following current locations:WESSA uMngeni ValleyWESSA Treasure BeachWESSA TwinstreamsWESSA BushpigsWESSA sishen
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Executive
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May 2018 - Jan 2022
Member of WESSA's Executive Committee, developing strategy and programme offerings for the organisation.
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Centre Manager - WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve
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Jan 2017 - May 2018
Centre manager of environmental and sustainability education programmes, 3 star rated accommodation, reserve management and overall management of the team.
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Owner and Managing Director
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May 2012 - Jan 2022
• Managing operational, financial and HR administration.• Working with a creative team to create the marketing and advertising content.• Initial client engagement and sales meetings, proposal writing, quotation creation and contract finalisation processes.• Education and training programme design, site assessments, equipment procurement and curriculum compliance assessment. • Worksheet, booklet, ID guide design and formatting.• Website design and content upgrades.• Market research and curriculum change monitoring.
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Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain - Al Ain Zoo
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United Arab Emirates
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Travel Arrangements
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1 - 100 Employee
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Education and School Programmes Manager for the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and Al Ain Zoo
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Mar 2014 - Aug 2016
• Managing a team of 16 Education & Outreach officers, in charge of formal and informal education within the Al Ain Zoo.• Using Zoo infrastructure to develop and implement teacher training events and workshops for local teacher training colleges.• Collaborating with a consultant to writing and implement a new set of curriculum-based education programmes both for the Al Ain Zoo; New Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and New African Safari Project.• Developing training manuals and standard operating procedures for new education programmes.• In charge of the following key processes within the department: budget control, procurement, staff training and evaluation, health and safety policy, operations management, project management, marketing and sales. • Managing an operations team to arrange and operate a series of professional development events with school bodies including Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC); ‘Abu Dhabi READS’; Higher Colleges of Technology teacher training programmes; Sayfuna Mumayaz and Abu Dhabi Falcon Festival.• Developing the new Discovery & Learning strategy for the ZAPIA Vision 2020.• Working inter-departmentally to design and install interpretative signs, marketing collateral and website content for the Zoo.• Developing and implementing departmental KPIs and monitoring staff performance.• Designing and implementing skills development training courses and knowledge acquisition lessons.• Developing, organising and operating STEM events within the Zoo, focusing on animal management, exhibit design and hands-on learning opportunities.
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Sustainability and Area Sales Manager
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Apr 2012 - Apr 2013
• Analysis and compliance documentation of a variety of Green Building codes in Middle East.• Sales and technical meetings with Architects, Designers, Consultants, Contractors, Engineers, Clients, and Developers.• Expansion of the Fermacell client database within the Gulf Cooperation Countries.• Quotation, specification, proposal, presentation and tender writing for new projects.• Liaison with Germany and the R & D Department for new and upgraded product information.• Sales and marketing requirements, including shows and industry events.• Relationship management with clients, contractors and recommended vendors.
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Partner and Managing Director
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Nov 2010 - Apr 2012
• Management of the Ghaf Tree Nursery.• Procurement of equipment for the nursery including trees and seeds from the municipality.• Setting up and managing a fully sustainable and operational food recycling programme.• Attending promotional events and meeting prospective investors interested in supporting the iniative.• Designing and printing promotional material used for marketing and sponsorship events.• Arranging CSR events for companies including HSBC, Goumbook, Nissan, Averda and Rotary.
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Ecoventure
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United Arab Emirates
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Recreational Facilities
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1 - 100 Employee
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General Manager - Field Studies
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Mar 2010 - Apr 2012
• Managing a team of 6 environmental scientists and outdoor education instructors.• Preparing and submitting government and partner applications for permissions and approval stamps.• Designing, setting up and implementing teaching programmes.• Managing and implementing staff induction and training programmes.• Working with a creative consultant to design and print marketing material and collateral.• Project managing the setup of the Field Study Centre, including purchasing materials and infrastructural requirements.• Meeting with clients and completing the sales process for each excursion.• Operations manager of excursions, creating staff timetables and responsibility sheets.• In charge of procurement and financial management of the business setup.• Writing comprehensive Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures for all EHS requirements.
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Emirates Internation School
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Primary and Senior Level teacher
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Sep 2005 - Jun 2010
• I.B Diploma Grade 12 & 13: Environmental Systems and Societies Subject Coordinator(E.S.S.)• Grade 10 & 11: IGCSE Physics & Biology; Physics Coordinator• Grade 7, 8 & 9: General Science Teacher; Grade 8 Science Coordinator• Grade 6: English (Coordinator); Mathematics; International Primary Curriculum• Organising field trip to local and international (Cyprus) destinations• Duke of Edinburgh implementation and co-ordination (2009 to 2010)• Master in charge of “Dhows” School House (2008 to present)• Organisation of Primary Poetry Contest (2005 to 2007)
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Grade 5 Teacher
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Jan 2004 - Jun 2005
• Grade 5 Teacher – English; Afrikaans; Mathematics; History; Science; Geography; Art; Life Skills• Grade 7 Science Teacher• Coordinator of Grade 5 History, and responsible for planning & developing the History curriculum• Head Coach of 1st Team Cricket; 1st Team Rugby; 1st Team Hockey• Managing a team of rugby coaches and delegation of duties during fixtures and tournaments. • Grade 5 Teacher – English; Afrikaans; Mathematics; History; Science; Geography; Art; Life Skills• Grade 7 Science Teacher• Coordinator of Grade 5 History, and responsible for planning & developing the History curriculum• Head Coach of 1st Team Cricket; 1st Team Rugby; 1st Team Hockey• Managing a team of rugby coaches and delegation of duties during fixtures and tournaments.
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Head River Guide
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Mar 2002 - Jan 2003
• Lead Guide for Sea Kayaking and canoeing tours for both operations.• Administration of bookings and payments for diving and adventure trips.• Guide in charge of all outdoor trips; equipment maintenance, riverside maintenance; bookings; marketing and advertisement duties • Head Organiser of the Clarens Cold Water Classic, including logistics planning, manpower coordination, operations management and EHS management. • Lead Guide for Sea Kayaking and canoeing tours for both operations.• Administration of bookings and payments for diving and adventure trips.• Guide in charge of all outdoor trips; equipment maintenance, riverside maintenance; bookings; marketing and advertisement duties • Head Organiser of the Clarens Cold Water Classic, including logistics planning, manpower coordination, operations management and EHS management.
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Education
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2010 - 2011
UNISA
BA Honours in Environmental Management, Environmental Education -
2003 - 2004
UNISA
Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Intermediate and Senior Phase -
1998 - 2001
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Psychology and Physiology -
1993 - 1997
Kearsney College
High School, Biology,Science, English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Geography
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