Mr David Opat

David grew up knowing that education was critical. His father, Geoffrey Opat, was Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne and was one of Australia’s foremost scientists. He provided an extraordinary example of a polymath, knowledge and understanding were the priority. David is also the third generation of a family that were incredibly fortunate to come to Australia in the 1920s. The family were driven to succeed and education was seen as the pathway to success. Learning was a privilege that must be embraced.

Upon finishing school, David felt like he was on a mission to make the world a better place. Initially, he believed that this could happen through helping some of the most troubled in society. He studied a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Monash and then soon specialised in Child and Adolescent Psychology. He began work as a Tutor at Monash and greatly enjoyed this first job as a teacher. Whilst studying for his Masters of Psychology at Monash, David worked in child protection and then at the Krongold Centre. Working in this highly collaborative centre was seminal in his career and gave him analytical skills he has used for more than 3 decades.

He began working as a child psychologist in various state schools and eventually settled into The King David School. David quickly realised that in order to truly help children, he would need to also support their families, thus he returned to university to study Family Therapy. As the years passed by, David found a great belief in the institution of a school. He found it to be a beautiful place full of hope, community, joy and character. This was definitely a place where he could continue his mission of repairing the world. Soon he realised that he may have the greatest impact by focusing on the group as opposed to the individual.

Again he returned to Monash to study education. He began to teach and move into various leadership roles. Eventually being made Vice-Principal (Student Wellbeing) following a second Masters in School Management. In 2020 the Wellbeing program at his school was recognised as one of the top in its field by the Australian Education Awards. David is also a very keen Labrador owner, a reasonable photographer and a very very poor golfer. He has a beautiful family who he proudly states are fundamentally good people.