Message from Head of School – 26.6.2020

Dear Parents and Students

As we enter the last few hours of this academic year, I remain extremely proud of all that has been achieved during 2019 – 2020. This year has presented many difficult challenges to our outstanding community but I honestly believe that we have triumphed in the face of adversity!

Please take a moment to reflect on this year and remind yourself that we have all learned from these extraordinary experiences. I hope you and your family are able to find some time, during the next few months, to relax and visit some amazing beaches, forests and waterfalls in Thailand.

It is really important that children have a recreational break after the recent period of emergency closure and lockdown. It is essential that we all find time to relax and recharge our metaphorical batteries. Please stay safe and healthy!

New staff (cont.)

I would like to continue to share my final announcements about our new teachers for the next academic year. I have included some information and a short message from the new teachers below:

Adam Knight – Secondary Art Teacher 

PGCE – Secondary Applied Art and Design – Edge Hill University, UK

Graphic Design BA (Hons) – Northumbria University, UK

BTEC National Diploma, Foundation Studies, Art & Design – Cleveland College of Art & Design, UK

Hello, I am Adam and I am originally from Hartlepool in North East England. I graduated with a BA in Graphic Design (Hons) from Northumbria University in Newcastle and completed my PGCE in Applied Art and Design from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk. After gaining my teaching qualification I spent my NQT year teaching Art and Graphic Communication in Liverpool, then moving to Hatyai, Thailand, teaching Art and Design for three years before moving to Zhuhai, China where I have spent the last two years teaching Art and Design, and Digital Media and Design. As a specialist in Graphic Design, I encourage students to develop both digital and traditional art skills, a combination of both better prepares students for their future in art, and also teaching a wide range of skills will help enable students to find out where their strengths are.

Other than art, my passion is in running, where I have competed in many races internationally including road, trail and obstacle races. I also enjoy doing HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) although the Bangkok heat will make this a REAL workout.

I will be joined by my lovely wife Tam, and we are excited to start our new chapter with the wonderful Bangkok Prep community.

Riett Kriel – Secondary Media Studies and English Teacher

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) – University of Waikato

Bachelor of Arts in English (Screen and Media) – University of Waikato

Diploma in Graphic Design – Bay of Plenty Polytechnic

Hi, my name is Riett and I was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand at a young age which is where I call home. I started my teaching diploma in 2016 at the University of Waikato, then I spent my first year as a teacher in Perth, Australia. I moved back to New Zealand and started working at a rural school called Matamata College where I taught English and was the Teacher in Charge of Media Studies. I consider myself a bit of a film buff and I enjoy getting creative, especially with photography. Getting outdoors and amongst nature keeps me relaxed and refreshed. I am looking forward to my move to Thailand and joining a great community at Bangkok Prep.

Marta Riera Lahuerta – Primary Spanish Teacher

Degree in Primary Education (SEN) – University Rovira I Virgili, Spain

Introduction to Language Education in the US – San Diego

Hi everyone! My name is Marta and I will be joining the Bangkok Prep team as a Primary Spanish teacher. I finished my degree in Primary Education about six years ago. Since then, I’ve taught in a Spanish Immersion school in San Diego, in an International English school in Spain and I’ve also volunteered as an English and Spanish teacher on board a Cruise Ship that aims for peace and sustainability (Peace Boat NGO).  Besides teaching, I also love dancing. I was part of a women’s dancing team and I am looking forward to finding a dance academy close to my home in Bangkok. Maybe some of you also enjoy dancing and would like to join. Traveling is also one of my favourite hobbies. Before Covid-19 started, I was travelling Latin America during my year off work.

I love Southeast Asia. I visited Vietnam for 5 weeks and I absolutely loved it! I also had the opportunity to visit Thailand for a couple of days when I volunteered on board Peace Boat, and I can say I am really looking forward to living there.

Claire Parsons Lucena – Secondary Spanish Teacher

Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE – MFL) – Sheffield Hallam University, UK

MA in Translation (Spanish and German) – London Metropolitan University, UK

BA in Modern Foreign Languages (German and Spanish) – Newcastle University, UK

Hello, I am Claire Lucena and I am very much looking forward to joining Bangkok Prep Secondary as a Spanish Teacher. I am a graduate of Newcastle University (BA in Modern Foreign Languages) with an MA in Translation and a PGCE in MFL teaching from Sheffield Hallam University. As well as teaching languages, I also love to learn languages – I speak Portuguese and German too and I am always working on my French. Before teaching Spanish, I taught EFL (English as a Foreign Language) for five years in London, Brazil and Mexico and worked as a translator. Since then, I have been teaching Spanish at an outstanding secondary school in Sheffield. Aside from teaching, I play the clarinet, enjoy salsa dancing, and travelling to new places. My husband and I feel very fortunate to be moving to Thailand and I look forward to meeting my new students.

Karen Mavor – Primary Class Teacher

BA Primary Education – Edinburgh University

Group Leader training (for residential trips)

SEAL Champion (Stages of early arithmetic learning)

Hello, my name is Karyn Mavor and I am really excited to be joining the Bangkok Prep community in August as a Key Stage 2 Primary Class Teacher. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland and have worked at my current school for the past 9 years. Teaching has always been my passion. Prior to teaching, I attended The University of Edinburgh and then Camp America where my role was camp counsellor. I am a qualified gymnastics coach, and have enjoyed coaching for the past 15 years. Fitness also plays a key part in my daily lifestyle and I love to keep myself active, either at the gym or out running. Foreign travel has always been high on my agenda and I am fortunate to have visited Asia and Bangkok many times. The prospect of immersing myself in the great Thai culture excites me, and I really look forward to moving to Bangkok and working with you all.

Amanda McFarlane – EYFS Class Teacher

BA Primary Education (Early Childhood) with QTS – University of Surrey

NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Early Years care and education – Chiltern Training College

Sawadee ka, my name is Mandy and I joined the Bangkok Prep Community last year with my family.  I’ve enjoyed teaching at Bangkok Prep in Reception, Year 1 and Playgroup whilst pregnant last year and I’m excited to permanently join the Early Years team in August.  Having experienced the Early Years as a parent I can’t wait to be part of the action and fun.

During my training in London, I specialised in Early Years Education and have over 10 years’ experience teaching in London and Abu Dhabi.  My passion is to instil a love and desire to learn in young children, which will set them up for their journey through education.

When I’m not teaching, I love to spend time with my family including my 4 year old daughter and baby boy.  We love to stay active together, swimming and enjoying the beautiful outside spaces Bangkok has to offer.  We are also very keen travellers having spent 4 months in a motorhome travelling across Europe.  I am excited to explore more of Thailand in the coming years.

Emma Parker – Secondary Psychology Teacher

MA International Relations Private Study – Leeds Beckett University

PGCE (Science) – Institute of Education, University College London

BSc (Hons) Biology – University of Manchester

My name is Emma and I am so excited to be joining you all at Bangkok Prep School in August! I have been to Thailand multiple times and I absolutely love it; I can’t wait to live in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. I will be teaching Psychology and some Biology when I arrive at school, two subjects that I am very passionate about. As well as being an educator, I love learning new things myself- I have been studying for a Master’s in International Relations for the past two years and this has helped me to develop an even greater fascination in different cultures and societies. Aside from being a student myself, I love to read and I am a keen golf and rugby fan (although I don’t have any skills in playing myself!). I have been teaching in Beijing for the past four years, which I have absolutely loved. Whilst being there, I have attempted to learn some Chinese and I hope to continue doing so even when I leave, as well as some Thai of course!

Lynne Pearson – Secondary EAL Teacher

ITS Language School, Hastings, E. Sussex

Certificate TESOL – Trinity College

B.Ed (Hons) Education (Biological Science & Maths) – Worcester College of Higher Education

Mental Wellbeing in Children and Young People, Level 2 – Educare

Hi, my name is Lynne Pearson and I will be joining the EAL team at Bangkok Prep.  I began my international school experience in the UK and absolutely loved teaching students from a range of different cultures. I met my husband at this time, and after our son was born, we decided to continue our international journey abroad. We first moved to Cairo where our daughter was born and then onto Bangkok where we stayed for 12 years.  Looking for a change, but wanting to stay in South East Asia, we moved to the beautiful island of Penang, but 5 years later, we are returning to Thailand. I am really looking forward to joining Bangkok Prep and meeting all the staff and students there.  I am also excited about returning to Bangkok as it feels like I am coming home after a break.

When I’m not working, I love doing yoga or relaxing with a good book.  I also enjoy fitness classes and love spinning and konga as well as other HIIT classes.

Katherine Rice – Secondary Geography and History Teacher

PGCE Secondary Geography – University of Bristol 

MSc Political Science – University of Leiden, Netherlands

Graduate diploma in Law – University of Law, Birmingham

BA (Hons) Geography & Politics – University of Sheffield

Hello, my name is Kate and I am keen to join the school as a Secondary Geography and History Teacher. I spent the last three years living and working in China. Since living there, running has become one of my main hobbies and I would like to get involved in some trail running in Thailand. I am also looking forward to contributing to the Humanities Faculty and supporting the school with everything they have on offer in the classroom and beyond. I am particularly interested in helping support with the MUN programme on offer at the school. My partner and I both feel very lucky to be moving to such a beautiful country, with a rich history and incredible food.

Ellie Shepherd – EYFS Class Teacher

Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Hons) – King’s College London

PGCE in Education (Early Years) – London South Bank University

I trained as a teacher seven years ago in London. Following that, I remained in London to begin my career as a teacher and never looked back! I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching experiences so far and have held a range of roles, with the most recent roles being Nursery Year Leader and Special Education Needs Coordinator. When I’m not in the classroom you will often find me on a mat practicing yoga. It has been a real passion of mine over the past five years; so much so, I decided to combine my love of yoga with passion for teaching children. I completed my training as a children and teen yoga teacher in November last year and since then has introduced yoga into the classrooms at my current school. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to deliver an extra-curricular activity at Bangkok Prep, where I plan to provide yoga that is fun, engaging and meaningful for the students. I feel very privileged to be joining the Bangkok Prep team as a Reception teacher and to be part of a large school community where I am able to continue doing a job I adore, joining the international school circuit in Thailand.

Pow Supatravanij – Secondary Music and Instrumental Programme Teacher

PGCE Secondary Music with QTS – University of Reading, UK

Master of Music (1 Year) – Royal Northern College of Music, UK

Bachelor of Music (Hons) – Birmingham Conservatoire, UK

ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and singing

Hi, my name is Pow, and I will be joining the Music Department at Bangkok Prep this year. I am from Thailand but I was educated in New Zealand and England. I graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire with a Bachelor of Music degree and did a further Postgraduate course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. After that I realised my passion for music education and went on to complete my PGCE with the University of Reading. Since my graduation, I have worked in a few other international schools in Bangkok. I am really looking forward to starting this new chapter of my teaching career at Bangkok Prep, be a part of this exciting community and share my passion for music with all of you!

Thank you

This is also the time of year where we need to say ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Thank you’ to some of our teachers that are moving onto the next exciting chapter in their professional careers. Without doubt the school has grown in success and reputation during the years that these teachers have been at Bangkok Prep. I am sure you will join me in thanking them for their hard work and dedication to the students they have worked with during their tenure.

Please find time to thank, in person, if you can: Daniel Smith, Elizabeth Seddon, Elizabeth Peacock, Keith Marsh, Margarita Munoz-Abat, Martyn Chadderton, Rowan Garland, Ashley Sherburn, Ben Cantrill, Janice Ruppe, Kim Moreland, Nigel Turner, Sarah Hendricks and Joseph Buck

I am sure you will join me in applauding them all for their hard work and dedication to their roles at our school.  Have a wonderful summer break and I look forward to seeing you all safe and sound on Thursday 20th August 2020 for the first day of the next academic year.

Warmest regards

Duncan J Stonehouse

Head of School