MEET THE HEAD OF OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in a rural village midway between Liverpool which is known for its famous football club, and Wales. The Wirral is a peninsula, with the River Dee on one side of it and the River Mersey on the other. As the youngest of four daughters, our house growing up was very busy and energetic, full to the brim with people and animals! I found that the garden was my sanctuary and where I'd go to listen to stories my dad would tell me about his army days, living in Malaya or Malaysia as it's now known. He painted such a grand picture of ginormous golden sunsets, adventures, funny incidents such as falling out of coconut trees and fighting off red ants… that his words made a massive impact on me and must be linked to the fact that I've lived, worked and studied in Asia (Thailand and Hong Kong) for more than two decades. 

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I have a grown up daughter called Autumn, who is a commercial artist specialising in making large scale bronze sculptures, and an 11-year-old granddaughter called Willow, who is in Year 7 at a school in Wales.

What attracted you to teaching? I

I am interested in innovation and thinking outside of the box about learning, and in  educational philosophies and ways of teaching. I am interested in finding new and better ways to do things and I enjoy looking at best practices from around the world and love to hear about new developments. I continuously ask myself questions such as, What best practices could we adopt? How could we enhance what we do? First and foremost though, I believe that school should be an ultimate safe space where young people are free to learn without restriction, a place where they can properly flourish. I am interested in working with teachers who can foster a love of learning in their students, and those who show commitment and dedication to their roles and understand that to be part of a young person's life is a life changing privilege. 

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What’s your educational background & how has it influenced you as an educator?

To me, teaching seems like a natural byproduct of learning. Part of a cycle: the art of both sharing and seeking knowledge. I've always derived great pleasure from the process of learning. From experience, I have come to know first hand that education is one of the greatest journeys and adventures one can go on and the parallels to travel and adventure do not stop there! Education will kick open doors for you, make you a better version of yourself and make life meaningful and this is why it is important and should be available to all. In my own journey, before teaching and training, I did a degree in Social Anthropology, specialising in Southeast Asian cultures. I researched ways of life among some of Thailand's Hill Tribes.

 

Eventually, this led me to a period of looking into transnational communities in Hong Kong. My goal was to finish my PhD and become a university professor, but my funding got cut after two years of research and fieldwork that I conducted in Hong Kong, where I lived with my then young daughter. A few years later, after working at a pupil referral unit back in the UK, with children who had been excluded from mainstream education, I was offered a golden opportunity to become the headteacher of a school in Hong Kong. Here, I was able to utilize key knowledge I'd gained about policies that I’d literally seen transform lives. This role helped me understand the absolute necessity in providing a strong pastoral and disciplinary system alongside innovative learning opportunities. My own thirst for learning has led to study at five universities, two of which being highly ranked institutions in Asia: The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong. I was never pushed by my family to go so deeply into the academic world. It was my own innate motivation to learn and achieve.

 

One of the proudest moments I've ever had was winning a full-time scholarship to do postgraduate research in Anthropology for 2-years, fully paid. As well as being British, I am a permanent resident of Hong Kong, who was forced to resettle elsewhere during the height of the Covid pandemic, with flight bans and long quarantines preventing me from getting back after a Christmas holiday. So I moved to the Isle of Man, and I worked as a News Editor at Manx Radio, before returning to teaching.

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How has your journey so far equipped you to be Head of Primary at Si Ri Panya International School?

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working across all year groups in the Key Stages, gaining a deep understanding of the educational journey from early years to secondary school. In the UK, I primarily taught Key Stage 3 and 4 (11–16-year-olds), while in the international independent school sector, I have taught Key Stage 1 (Year 1), Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 5, and 6), and Key Stage 3 and 4.

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From 2010 to 2018, I served as Headteacher at an international school in Hong Kong, where I worked with a talented staff team to implement significant developments. Together, we expanded the range of iGCSE qualifications, established a Sixth Form offering A Levels in five subjects, and successfully guided a cohort of Year 7 students all the way through to Year 13. Seeing students grow from their first day to their final day at school was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education.

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During my time in Hong Kong, I also created the school motto: Growth. Nurture. Flourish. It encapsulates the philosophy that with the right approach to learning and a dedicated team, students can achieve remarkable outcomes. This experience shaped my understanding of the importance of a holistic and supportive school environment.

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Having worked across year groups and as part of an international school leadership team, I bring a unique perspective on what drives success and where growth opportunities lie. I am excited to contribute to Si Ri Panya's continued development and to help create a nurturing, happy, and thriving community for all students.

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Do you have a personal educational philosophy?

My educational philosophy is rooted in practical realities that truly benefit young people, moving beyond abstract ideals to create meaningful impact. The UK’s Every Child Matters framework has been particularly influential in shaping my approach. It focuses on five key outcomes that guide a child’s development:

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• Be healthy

• Stay safe

• Enjoy and achieve

• Make a positive contribution

• Achieve economic well-being

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When a child is safe, healthy, and their well-being is prioritised, they are empowered to enjoy learning and achieve their fullest potential. This foundation enables them to contribute their skills and talents meaningfully, which directly influences their future success and well-being.

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How can this be achieved, you might wonder? It starts with a dedicated teaching and pastoral team, working in harmony to address every aspect of a child’s life. By ensuring that no area of need is overlooked, we can provide the holistic support each child deserves.

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At the heart of my philosophy is a commitment to providing an education that is truly child-centred, reflecting the unique journey of each student based on their stage of development, interests, and abilities. It’s about fostering a love of learning and nurturing curiosity, helping students to develop practical pathways toward long-term success while deepening their understanding of the world around them.