MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL: 21ST JUNE 2019 – Focus on Primary Staff

Focus on Primary Staff

Dear Parents and Students

As we enter the last few days of the academic year, I remain extremely proud of all that has been achieved during 2018 – 2019. Yesterday afternoon was yet another fantastic day. The Formal Primary Concert involved an impressive host of children who demonstrated their musical and vocal skills with confidence and flair. Not to mention, the Secondary performance of the musical Joseph. It was, without doubt, a show that belongs in London’s West End or on Broadway.

Staffing

In August 2019, we will have a total of 115 expatriate teachers at our school. This is a clear signal of high quality education and they will have a direct and profound impact on our student’s learning. I would like to share my final announcements about our new teachers for the next academic year.

I am really excited to announce that amongst the newly appointed staff, are some key additions to the Primary teaching team and they will assume their new role in August 2019. I have included some information and a short message from them below:

Kris Powell – Key Stage 2 Teacher 

PGCE – University Institute of Wales, Cardiff

Geography BA (1st Class Hons) – University of Northumbria

GEMS Core Values, teacher of the Year Award 2014

Following six years of international teaching experience in Dubai, where I had the pleasure of working as Year Six Leader, I returned home to South Wales where I am currently teaching in KS2 at The Cathedral School Llandaff, an independent school in Cardiff. Having worked internationally and travelled to the Far East, I have always been interested in the prospect of working in Thailand. Outside of school, I enjoy socialising with friends, running, playing football and golf. I am particularly looking forward to working and being part of a large team and international community in the heart of Bangkok at Bangkok Prep.

Lisa Morgan – Head of Primary Music

BEd Bachelor of Music – University of New South Wales

Cambridge iGCSE music moderator

International Experienced Choral Director

My name is Lisa Morgan and I look forward to joining the team as your Head of Primary Music at Bangkok International Preparatory School. I have been fortunate to enjoy a versatile career in music education as a music department head, classroom music teacher of KG – Year 12, Choral Director/Arranger and Singing Teacher, starting in my hometown of Sydney, Australia then working internationally in Bahrain, Oman and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. I have taught students of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life; international students, refugees from East Timor to sheikhs, princes and princesses. Out of the classroom, I love to travel, explore new cultures and cuisines, live music, theatre and cinema, reading and dabbling in some amateur attempts at painting. My husband and I also love entertaining friends. We are so looking forward to meeting you all and starting our new life in Thailand.

Luning Ge – Mandarin Teacher

Bachelor of Arts – Huzhou University

Major: Foreign Languages and Literatures – Nazareth College of Rochester

Hello this is Maybee from China. I’m originally from the beautiful coastal city Ningbo, and lived in both Ningbo and Shanghai before I moved to Bangkok in August 2017. With about 4 years’ experience in China and internationally, in multicultural and diverse work forces, I’m looking forward to sharing my passion and inspiration at Bangkok Prep. Apart from teaching, I’m an enthusiastic fashion designer and I appreciate all kinds of art. I’m also very interested in ocean conservation and diving. Traveling the globe, experiencing new cultures and chasing the outdoors are some of my favourite things.

Matthew Smart – Key Stage 2 Teacher

AOR QTS – Winchester University

TEFL International Certification

BA (Hons) Graphic Design – Solent University, UK

Hello there, my name is Matt Smart and I’m looking forward to joining the Bangkok Prep community in the next academic year where I will be working in KS2. I have worked in education for the past 8 years, starting in Beijing and moving back to Bournemouth where I continued my professional development. In the classroom, I enjoy using technology to support my teaching while making the most of collaborative classroom apps. Outside of school, I enjoy keeping fit, photography and design. I will be moving out with my wife and son. I’m really looking forward to developing my understanding of Thai culture, exploring the streets of Bangkok and being part of the community.

Rachael Smart – EAL Teacher

PGCE (QTS) Primary with French – University of Southampton

BA (Hons) Writing Fashion and Culture

Hi, my name is Rachael Smart and I will be teaching Primary EAL. I qualified from the University of Southampton in 2008 before working as a class teacher in Bournemouth (my hometown) for two years. I then moved to China for four years where I worked at the British school of Beijing and became the Literacy Coordinator.  After having my son in 2014, I started teaching EAL which I absolutely love, especially working with the young learners who stay for up to six months. I’m passionate about teaching contextually and creatively and I hope to share some active learning experiences at Bangkok Prep. I’m moving to Bangkok with my husband, Matt and our son, Reuben. I am really looking forward to the adventure of moving to Thailand and learning more about Asian culture, language and food.

Stephanie Lindley – Key Stage 2 Teacher

DfE Certificate in Primary Mathematics – University of Teesside

B.Ed (Hons) Mathematics, Science and Technology – Newcastle Polytechnic

Primary Teaching and Learning Consultant Northumberland County Council

Hi, my name is Steph Lindley and I am very excited to be joining Bangkok Prep as a Year 5 teacher in September 2019. I am currently Head of School in a lovely Middle School in Northumberland, but have also worked in a large multi-cultural Junior School in London as well as schools in my native North East of England. I love teaching, am very passionate about it and this usually rubs off onto the students! When I’m not at work, I enjoy going to music festivals and gigs, and also enjoy watching football. I’m coming to Bangkok with my husband and our 18 year old daughter – we miss living in a vibrant city and are very much looking forward to exciting times ahead.

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, Christine Benjamin, Jayne Williams, Pandora Dufes, Natasha Pasch and Dan O’Sullivan from the Primary team. In addition, please thank these Secondary teachers : Alison Turnbull, Dulcie Kellner, Jan Kellner, Mark Hunter, Claire Hullock, Lisa Cook, Wang Yan (Martina), Lee Mortiboys, Nichola Giddings and of course our Head of Secondary Mr Nigel Wilsonlock.

I am sure you will join me in applauding them all for their hard work and dedication to their roles at our school.

Warm regards

Duncan J Stonehouse

Head of School