MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL: Update on New Secondary Teachers

Dear Parents and Students,

Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful Songkran Holiday and I would like to think that you found some time to rest and relax with your family.

Thank you to all of the parents that have taken time to complete the Parent Survey, which I shared during the break. I would be most grateful if all parents complete the survey as the views of parents are essential in our school’s development.

In August 2019, we will have a total of 114 expatriate teachers at our school. This is a clear signal of high quality education and they will have a direct and profound impact on student learning. I would like to continue with my announcements about our new teachers for the next academic year.

I am delighted to announce that amongst the newly appointed staff, are some key additions to the Creative Arts and Humanities Faculties and they will assume their new role in August 2019. I have included some information and a short message from them below:

Amy Hurst – Drama Teacher

BA (Hons) Drama- University of East Anglia, Norwich

PGCE in Drama with QTS – Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK

Eighteen years ago I trained to teach at The Central School of Speech and Drama, since then I have worked as a Drama Teacher and Head of Department in a variety of schools in the South East and, more recently, the North West of England. When not working I enjoy swimming, reading, travelling and going to the theatre. I love working on and watching all genres of performance from classical Greek through to Shakespeare, big musicals and contemporary theatre. The opportunity to live and work in Thailand and work in a multicultural environment is an exciting one and I am very much looking forward to joining Bangkok Prep and building on the Drama and Performing Arts that the school already provides for its students.

 Nevann Hardwick – Head of Secondary Music

Master in Music Studies – University of Queensland

Bachelor of Education – University of South Australia

Licentiate Australian Music Examination Board

Licentiate Trinity College of London

Associate Australian Music Examination Board

Associate Trinity College of London

I am Nevann Hardwick, an experienced international educationalist, currently working as Head of Performing Arts at the Franconian International School (Erlangen, Bavaria). I am very excited about returning to Bangkok Prep as I have many wonderful memories from my time there in 2011 to 2013. For those who may remember me, I continue to be passionate about my role as a musician-educator and I aspire to share and pass on this love of music to people of all ages.

My greatest asset in the classroom is involving students in a ‘hands-on’ authentic approach to music learning, where performing becomes an essential skill with which to engage students. Along with my passion for my chosen career as a teacher, I am also an accomplished pianist and choral conductor. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to return to Thailand and to see for myself the many changes that have occurred at Bangkok Prep over the past few years.

Nicolas Richards-Gourves – French teacher

PGCE in MFL – University of Sheffield

Degré de Université de bretagne occidentale, France                                    

Bonjour! My name is Nick Richards-Gourves. I am very excited at the chance to teach French at Bangkok Prep in the next academic year. I grew up in Brittany, France where my plan was to become an English teacher, until I finished my degree in Swansea, Wales thanks to the Erasmus programme. I love discovering new cultures and this is one of the many reasons why I cannot wait to join you. I also do my best to stay fit and I love playing basketball.  I hope to find a few keen players to have a game on a regular basis. Finally, I love watching rugby (despite the poor performance of the French national team) and I am looking forward to cheering Bangkok Prep’s teams.

 Philip Davis – History Teacher

Master’s in Education (MEd) programme – University of Birmingham

Post Graduate Diploma in Education (QTS) History – University of Birmingham

BA (Hons) Politics and Modern History – University of Manchester

My name is Philip Davis and I will be joining Bangkok Prep as a secondary History teacher. History has always been a passion of mine from an early age, which is why I chose to study the subject to degree level at the University of Manchester. After completing my teacher training at the University of Birmingham, I returned to the South East of England and started my career in a highly academic and successful school in Hertfordshire. I have since worked in two inner-city London academies and have served as the Head of Humanities in my current school. I was thrilled to accept a position at Bangkok Prep, as the school is clearly passionate about academic success but also developing students into caring and well-rounded global citizens. I fell in love with Thailand when I visited when I was 19 and am very excited to return this August.

Rhonda Wright – Counsellor

Master of Science, Student Counseling and Personnel Services – Kansas State University Manhattan, KS USA

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Education – Fort Hays State University Hays, KS USA

Hello, my name is Rhonda Wright. I am very excited to return to Bangkok Prep in the coming academic year. I will be the Secondary School Counsellor. I am from the Kansas in the United States. I have spent 29 years in education with the majority of those in the USA. Additionally, I have served in international schools in Panama and Thailand as a school counsellor.  I enjoy reading and all types of sports.  I am very excited to re-join the Bangkok Prep community and see the changes and growth that have taken place since I left in 2016. My husband and I look forward to returning to this beautiful country and the opportunities at Bangkok Prep.

Rosina Hasell – PE Teacher

BSc (Hons) in Sports Science with Education – St Mary’s University College, Twickenham

Secondary Physical Education PGCE – St Mary’s University College, Twickenham

National Diploma in Sports Development and Fitness (DMM) – Exeter College

Hello, I am Rosina! Teaching Physical Education is a job I find fulfilling and stimulating. It’s a privilege to inspire the next generation to appreciate the benefits of leading a healthy, active lifestyle through sporting activities. I have taught for 3 years in London and then 3 years in Shanghai, and I am now looking forward to the next adventure of working in Bangkok. I am particularly looking forward to working with the dynamic PE team in a caring community. I like to take part in different sporting challenges from a Half Iron Man Triathlon in England to a Trail run in China, I always like to push myself towards achieving a goal. Working in an international school is giving me the opportunity to meet new people and experience a new culture.

 Sam Reeves – EAL Teacher

B.A. (Hons) Modern Languages (German and Spanish) – University of Birmingham

PGDipEd (German & Spanish) – University of Birmingham

Cert TESOL Level 5, Languages Training & Development

Hello, I’m Sam and I’ll be joining the secondary school as an EAL teacher. Originally from the Midlands in the UK, I trained in German & Spanish at the University of Birmingham but am completing my RQT year in Manchester. I’m really excited to return to Bangkok having lived there for 3 years previously, I have really missed the students’ genuine love of learning and positive approach to school, as well as the food (of course!), language and opportunities to travel. Out of school, my main hobbies include reading, cinema and playing or watching sports. I’m keen to get stuck in to life at Prep and am really excited by the outstanding facilities and extra-curricular provision and very much hope to get involved with different school teams. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Simon Taylor – DT and Art Teacher

DBA (Hons.) Three-Dimensional Design – Camberwell College of Arts (UAL) London

PGCE (Secondary): Design & Technology University of Greenwich, London

Design & Technology Health & Safety Training Standards University of Greenwich, London

Subject Knowledge Enhancement: Design & Technology University of Greenwich, London

Hello, my name is Simon, I’m a designer maker and Teacher of Design. I am delighted to be joining the Bangkok Prep Community in August and I look forward to teaching DT & Art.

I have been teaching at one of the UK’s leading Sixth Form Colleges for the past couple of years. I graduated from University of the Arts London with First Class Honours in BA Three Dimensional Design and completed a PGCE in Design and Technology at University of Greenwich.

As an award-winning designer maker, I have developed a broad range of creative and technical skills that have enabled me to provide guidance and support to students and their projects. I am confident that I can inspire, motivate and encourage the DT and Art students at Bangkok Prep to achieve their full potential in these subjects and I am eager to make a positive contribution to the school.

Alongside my keen interest in art, craft and design, I am passionate about cycling, motorcycles, photography and exploring new places. I am keen to experience all of these in Bangkok. I will be coming to Thailand with my wife and our two young boys. We are originally from Liverpool but currently reside in Brighton and have done for many years. My wife and I have visited Bangkok a few times on our travels and it is a place that is close to our hearts, we are very excited about making it our new home.

Sophie Dand – Geography Teacher

BSc (Hons) Geography – Royal Holloway, University of London

PGCE (With QTS) – Institute of Education, UK

AQA Examiner & OCR Examiner

Extended Project Qualification Supervisor

Hello, my name is Sophie Dand and I am excited to be joining Bangkok Prep as a Geography Teacher and the head of Extended Project Qualification. I studied Geography and completed my PGCE with the University of London and have been living and working at independent London day schools for the last 6 years. More recently I have been part of a small team setting up a new senior school in Fulham. I am an avid sportswoman following and playing football when I can and getting girls in to football is a real passion of mine. I am so excited to be moving to Thailand and starting a new adventure with my partner in Bangkok.

Throughout Term 3, I will continue to share the rest of the newly appointed teachers for 2019 – 2020 and the academic departments that they are assigned.

Duncan J Stonehouse

Head of School