Academic, BKK Prep, Event, Message from the Head of School, News, Primary, Secondary, Whole School June 19, 2020

Dear Parents and Students

We are accelerating towards the end of what has been an extremely problematic Term. The support from parents, students and staff has been outstanding. I would like to sincerely thank everybody in the Bangkok Prep Community. Whilst organising the next few days of term we are attempting to include as many ‘live’ opportunities for celebration as possible – obviously we are still ensuring all necessary preventative measures are in place.

The staff are also very busy preparing for the next academic year and we have some very exciting learning opportunities planned for the students at Bangkok Prep. In August 2020, 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 students’ 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 Maths and English Faculties and they will assume their new role in August 2020. I have included some information and a short message from them below:

Nikita Arora – Business Studies and Economics Teacher

Mahidol University International College (MUIC) – Bachelors of Business Administration, Finance

University of Adelaide, Australia – Received scholarship for exchange programme

Assumption University (ABAC) – Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Finance

University of Manchester – MA Education (International), Received Platt Prize

University of Manchester – Post-Graduate Certification in Education

Hello, my name is Nikita and I am excited to be joining the Bangkok Prep community in August as a Business and Economics Teacher.

Having previously been educated in Thailand, I then traveled to Adelaide, Australia, to complete my degree in Business. After my degree, I completed my Masters and PGCE at the University of Manchester, England. I have been teaching Business, Economics and Computing at one of the UK’s leading secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Sandbach for the past four years.

Out of school, I love travelling and really enjoy learning about and experiencing different cultures. Recently, I travelled to Tromso, Norway and had the opportunity to witness the majestic view of the Northern lights, also called Aurora Borealis. I look forward to returning to Bangkok and experiencing the different opportunities that working in such an outstanding and international environment can offer.

Crosby Beynon – Secondary Biology Teacher

Bachelor of Science – McGill University

Bachelor of Education – McGill University

Originally from Canada, I have been teaching Key Stage 3 and 4 Science in the UK for nearly five years. I enjoy teaching all three sciences, but Biology is my particular favourite. I trained to be a teacher at McGill University while simultaneously getting my Bachelor of Science. I moved directly after graduating to England. While in the UK, I had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, I am looking forward to travelling next around Thailand and South East Asia. In my spare time, when not teaching or travelling, I enjoy reading, running, listening to podcasts, and playing the piano. I have run three 10K races but I am looking for the challenge of a half-marathon next (unsure if hot Thailand is the best place for the first time at that distance). I am incredibly excited for the move to Thailand and to begin at Bangkok Prep.

Martina Brady – Secondary Maths Teacher

PGCE Mathematics – University of Brighton, U.K.

Subject Enhancer course in Mathematics – University of Brighton

Fetac Children with special needs – Cavan College of Further studies, Rep. of Ireland

Degree in Product Design (Hons) – Dundalk Institute of Technology

Degree in Electronic Engineering – Dundalk Institute of Technology

Hello, my name is Martina Brady. I am originally from Ireland. I trained to be a Maths teacher in Brighton and then taught in London for 2 years. I moved to Bangkok 5 years ago and I love teaching in Thailand. Not including Ireland, I have lived in four different countries down through the years but it is here that I have stayed the longest. I think it is a fair description of me when people call me the social butterfly as I love to meet up with friends for dinner etc. in my spare time. In addition to this I love travelling, music, reading, festivals, trekking, cooking and playing sports. I am really looking forward to my new adventure of joining the Bangkok Prep community as a Maths teacher. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and I will see you in the next academic year.

Faye Cox – Secondary English Teacher

BA (Hons) English Literature and History

Post Graduate Certificate of Education – Secondary English, Institute of Education, London

I am very happy to continue to be a part of the Bangkok Prep English team having joined the team in January. My family and I have now been living in Thailand for one year and we are thoroughly enjoying living in the exciting city that is Bangkok and also exploring the many beautiful places in Thailand. Before moving to Bangkok, I lived and worked in London; the school that I taught at was a large comprehensive school and I held the post of Assistant Director of English Literature and Curriculum Leader of English. I studied at the Institute of Education in London for my PGCE and at the University of Leeds for my undergraduate degree in English Literature and History. Outside of teaching, my passions are: travelling, reading, writing and looking after my daughter. I first visited Bangkok eight years ago and I absolutely fell in love with its vibrant culture, so I feel very fortunate that I now live and work here. I am really excited about my continued role in Bangkok Prep’s English team and I look forward to many shared successes.

Rachel Croome – Head of Chemistry

Post Graduate Certificate of Education – Institute of Education UCL

Master in Science – University of Bristol

Hello, my name is Rachael Croome and I am looking forward to starting as the Head of Chemistry at Bangkok Prep. After six lovely years at High Storrs School in Sheffield, I look forward to teaching abroad for the first time. When I am not in teacher-mode, I enjoy reading, watching TV series, spending time with my husband, and everything Harry Potter. While this will be my first time teaching internationally, it is far from my first time living abroad. My father was a Mathematics teacher at international schools, and I spent time growing up in Malaysia, Yemen, Malawi, and India. I look forward to following in his footsteps. I completed my MSci in Chemistry at the University of Bristol (UK) with a year abroad at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill (USA). After graduation, I did my teacher training at the Institute of Education in London before moving to High Storrs. I am especially keen to teach and support my students learning to the best of their abilities. I am also looking forward to learning about and seeing the lovely sights and people of Thailand!

Daniel Chandler – Primary Class Teacher

BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology – Sheffield Hallam University

Post Graduate Certificate of Education – Kingston University, London

TESOL – Chichester College

I am delighted to be joining the Bangkok Prep community as a Key Stage 2 teacher in the coming academic year. My teaching career started over nine years ago here in Bangkok before I then returned to England to qualify and work as a primary teacher in West London. Having thoroughly enjoyed my time living here previously, I then returned to Bangkok, where I have been teaching at another school in the city for the past four years. I have always felt very at home here and continue to enjoy exploring everything that this city and country has to offer. Aside from teaching, I am an avid football fan, musician and keen traveller. I very much look forward to continuing my development at Bangkok Prep.

Praveen Kumar Dolthatta – Secondary Teacher of Business Studies and Economics

Master of Education – International Education – Framingham State University, USA

Top in Thailand A Level Results (2019)

High Achievement award in AS Level (2017)

IB Economics Examiner

Cambridge Assessment International Education Examiner – AS / A Level

Master of Arts in Economics – Mangalore University

My name is Praveen Kumar and I am excited to teach Economics at Bangkok Prep in Key Stages 4 and 5. Having worked in a couple of well-established and reputed international schools in Thailand for 11 years, I am very familiar working closely with students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. I hope to continue my understanding of and experience with methods for delivering high quality education in a learner centred setting. I am passionate about bringing the best practices to the classroom to reach out to students of different learning styles. I hope to continue to strive for excellence by promoting higher order thinking skills, independent learning among learners and encourage the young learners to develop international mindedness. I have always enjoyed engaging in critical thought and intellectually stimulating discussion with my students and colleagues and have always been impressed with their desire to engage with creative learning approaches.

Tom Dixon – Secondary Humanities Teacher

Post Graduate Certificate of Education – Secondary History, University of Sunderland

Master of Arts – International Studies – Newcastle University

BA (Hons) History and American Studies – Liverpool John Moores University

Leading and Managing Effective Human Rights Organisations – University of York

International Human Rights Law and Advocacy – University of York

Hi, my name is Tom Dixon, I will be starting as a Teacher of Humanities at Bangkok Prep’s Secondary Campus in August. I am looking forward to working as a member of what I know to be a great faculty and school. Before deciding to train as a teacher I was the Director of Programs for an NGO working to support the rights of Refugees. I also have worked in the past as an EAL teacher in Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Australia. I enjoy travel, sport and reading and have greatly enjoyed living in Bangkok with my wife and daughter for the last four years.

Sarah Doble – Primary Class Teacher

BA German and Teaching German – University of Minnesota – Duluth

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Gloucestershire University

German Studies – Concordia College

Hello, I am Sarah Doble and I am very much looking forward to joining the Bangkok Prep team as a Year 2 teacher. I grew up in Minnesota and I have learnt in all my experience that I prefer making sandcastles to snow people. After studying German at the University of Minnesota and doing a few jobs other than teaching, I decided to become a primary school teacher and work in Barking and Dagenham in London. Working in the UK was an enriching experience that has helped me shape my practice and know that what I do, actually makes a difference. For the last 5 years, I have been working at a British International School in Seoul, South Korea. When I’m not working, one can find me enjoying the outdoors, swimming and sharing some quality time with friends over a meal discussing a silly podcast or the latest good reads. I am looking forward to the perks of living in Thailand such as the warm weather, beaches and the food! Not to mention the wonderfully friendly people who make this country so special.

Jonathan England – Secondary Maths Teacher

Secondary Mathematics PGCE. – University of Lancaster, Bowerham, Lancaster, UK

Graduate Research Training Diploma in Applied Economics & Management – Queens University, Belfast

BSc Joint Hons in Computer Science and Business Administration – Queens University, Belfast

Hello, my name is Jonathan England and I am very much looking forward to joining the Bangkok Prep School community as a Secondary Mathematics teacher in the coming academic year. I trained as a Mathematics teacher 23 years ago in the UK and have taught ever since. My enthusiasm for teaching and learning very much continues to this day. I am currently studying part time, long distance for an MA in Education with Ulster University.

When I’m not teaching or preparing lessons I enjoy keeping fit and healthy, my main sporting interests are cycling and running. I am a member of Bangkok’s Mikkeller running club and I regularly take part in running events in Thailand. Aside from sport I have a keen interest in 35mm manual photography and am a member of the Bangkok Photographers Group.

My wife and I have lived and taught here in Thailand for the past 7 years. We thoroughly enjoy Thai culture, the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok and the experience of living in South East Asia. We both feel very lucky and privileged to have the opportunity to live and work in Thailand.

Kyle Fiddler – Secondary PE Teacher

BSc (Hons) Sports Science – Kingston University

Graduate Teacher Programme – University of Sussex

Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Leader

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

Gym Training & Advanced Core Trainer

Hello, my name is Kyle Fiddler and I am a PE teacher from the UK. I am very much looking forward to joining the community at Bangkok Prep in the PE Department in August 2020.

I have worked in many sectors of the UK secondary education system, whilst holding numerous positions in and around Kent. I graduated from Kingston University with a 2:1 (Hons) in Sports Science and completed a Graduate Teacher Programme at Chatham House Boys Grammar School, in conjunction with Sussex University to gain my Qualified Teacher Status.

I am a keen sportsman and like to throw my hand at anything that involves exercise, with my preferences being in rugby union and cricket. I love socialising with friends and family. I am an avid gym user and this has been my main hobby for many years. I am a keen traveller and have just spent the last year travelling South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with my wife. I fell in love with Thailand whilst there and decided I wanted to make it our home. The culture and the experiences I have had have been second to none. I have travelled parts of Africa, USA, Central America and Europe previously. I like to write a travel blog and take pictures to accompany my experiences.

I enjoy reading and history, with a further passion for wildlife. I cannot wait to get started at Bangkok Prep and relish working with the whole community, to really make a difference in all aspects of school and community life.

Sarah Ginesi – Secondary Faculty Leader of English, EAL and Media Studies

Master of Arts – Modern and Contemporary Literature (Distinction) – University of London

PGCE Secondary English – University of Surrey, Roehampton

Bachelor of Arts – English Literature with History – University of Surrey, Roehampton

Hello, my name is Sarah and I will be joining as Faculty Leader for English, EAL and Media Studies. My family and I are extremely excited about relocating to Thailand and joining the Bangkok Prep community! I have been teaching for 16 years and have worked in three inner London schools as Teacher of English, Head of English and Faculty Leader. I studied for my undergraduate degree in English Literature with History and PGCE at University of Surrey, Roehampton, and then a Master’s in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Birkbeck, University of London. After my children, my two biggest passions are teaching and literature – particularly Modernist poetry. I am also interested in art, music and film. I first visited Bangkok in 2007 and loved it! I had always hoped to be able to return some day, so this is a dream come true for me personally! As a family, we love to travel and experience different cultures, so we are very much looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

Olivia Gonzalez – Secondary – Head of Psychology

PGCE in Social Science 2014 Institute of Education – University College London (UCL)

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) – London,

BSc (Hons) Psychology – University of Exeter

Hi, I’m Olivia and I’m from London. I graduated from Exeter University with a BSc in Psychology. Following this, I completed my PGCE in Social Sciences at the Institute of Education in London before continuing to teach there for the next 2 years. With an urge to travel and a desire to learn more about my mother’s homeland, I made the move to international teaching in Bangkok in 2016 where I coordinated whole school learning support and established a Psychology department. When I’m not convincing people I can’t read minds, I enjoy travelling, tasting all of the local cuisine and trying to recreate dishes in my own kitchen. I’m also an avid reader and enjoy a podcast or two. Psychology is such an interesting subject that can be applied to a range of interactions and events in the world around us and always evokes critical thinking in the classroom. I feel very lucky to get to teach this subject every day and can’t wait to do so at Bangkok Prep.

Claire Ireland – Secondary Counsellor

Master of Arts in Counselling (integrated) – Webster University, Geneva

MA in Education (Applied Linguistics) – Open University of the UK

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (P.G.C.E.) – Goldsmiths College, University of London

BSc (Hons) Psychology – Bristol University

Hello, my name is Claire Ireland and I’m excited to be joining Bangkok Prep as the new Secondary School Counsellor. A little bit about me: I love taking my dog for walks in the countryside, travelling to new exciting places and spending time with friends and family. I’ve been a teacher and counsellor for thirty years and am fortunate to have worked in some wonderful places with some amazing people. After getting a first degree in psychology, I trained as a teacher and started working in London. Later I moved to Switzerland with my family. Whilst there we got a feel for a new culture, and what life is like when you can’t speak the language. I started working in an international school, retrained as a counsellor, and happily learned to speak French!

After spending years in this wonderful, mountainous country, I was then lucky enough to get a job in Asia where I spent two happy years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am now delighted to be joining all of you in Bangkok. I am really looking forward to working with the students, keeping them safe and helping them to reach their full potential.

Andrew Jackson – Secondary – Head of PE

Secondary Physical Education with QTS – Oxford Brookes University

PG Certificate in Advanced Education Practice

BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Sciences – University of Gloucestershire

Level 1 & 2 Rugby Coaching Award

Gymnastic, Badminton, Football Coaching Awards

Duke of Edinburgh Awards Bronze, Silver and Gold

I am thrilled to be joining the Bangkok Prep community as the new Secondary Head of PE. My teaching career so far has been in grammar and independent schools in north Buckinghamshire, UK. This will be my first teaching post abroad and I am sure it is going to be eventful, fulfilling and exciting. I look forward to building on the current successes of the Secondary PE department whilst bringing fresh ideas to the PE programme, as well as exploring the world of Sports Science with GCSE, A Level and BTEC pupils. My main sports are rugby, football and athletics, although my most recent participation in sport has been centred on endurance running and triathlons. As well as sport, I am also passionate about cooking and travel. My wife, Amy, and I, along with our two daughters, Pippa and Millie, cannot wait to explore Bangkok and South East Asia, whilst learning more about the Thai culture, food and language.

During the last few weeks, I will continue to share the rest of the newly appointed teachers for 2020 – 2021.

Warm regards

Duncan J Stonehouse

Head of School