School Faculty

I began my teaching career in North London before moving to Sandhurst, UK, where I spent 10 years honing my skills as a Teacher of Geography, moving to Head of Department. During this time, I was involved in moving the school forward in the level of learning and teaching provided to students and driving the academic progression of results. As part of the learning and teaching team, I was involved in mentoring and coaching new teachers in their PGCE and NQT stages of their careers. In 2019, I moved international to Tenby Schools in Malaysia where I took up the post of Head of Humanities in a large international school for national and international students. This opportunity gave me valuable experience in supporting students with EAL needs and improving the teaching provision across the school blended with driving forward international learning opportunities for the students.

As a passionate outdoor educator, I am excited to bring the International Duke of Edinburgh Award to Harrow Appi and encourage students to take steps outside the classroom to experience our wonderful and unique environment on our doorstep. Experiencing the wonders of what Japan has to offer is high on my priority list as I love to travel. I am also a big sports fan, developing my newfound love of golf and keeping up with the world of rugby. 

I have been a teacher for more than thirty years, and with my husband, have had the privilege of working both in Australia and abroad. Our experiences include teaching at Jerudong International School, Brunei, The British International School of Budapest and Harrow International School, Bangkok. During my time at Harrow Bangkok, I was in a leadership position.

We have four adult children who spent most of their schooling years at Harrow International School, Bangkok. The quality of their education and experiences as Harrovians, has been second to none. It is for this reason that we are extremely excited to rejoin the Harrow family here in Appi, and to be a part of the holistic educational experience on offer for more young Harrovians.

In my free time, I love to travel and discover new places. I also love connecting with nature and being outdoors, whether it be walking, skiing or swimming. I am a creative person who hand stitches and crochets, and I am also passionate about reading. 

I joined Harrow Appi in 2022, having been a Head of Year and Teacher of Geography at NLCS on Jeju Island for the previous four years. Before that, I have had roles as a Head of Department, Designated Safeguarding Lead Officer, Outdoor Education Coordinator and Head of Sixth Form at international schools in Panama, Jordan and Kenya.

Prior to teaching internationally, I was teaching in Cambridge, UK. Subsequent to my degree in Geography I completed my PGCE in Education at Cambridge and a Masters in Education with a focus on learning outside the classroom.

My passion for Geography, the outdoors and education has led to a fulfilling career so far. I am very happy to be continuing this at Harrow Appi and hope to be able to contribute to the many successes of the students both in and outside the classroom. In my role as Director of Students Standards I fell priveleged to be able to help guide and celebrate our students as they continue to flourish here at Harrow Appi. 

I am the Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department, here at Harrow Appi. This is a most welcome return for me, as I started my international teaching career in Japan in 2000. I spent five wonderful years teaching in places such as Oomiya, Nagoya and Shibuya. Following this, I was fortunate enough to find a small teaching position at the British Council in Singapore. There I honed my international teaching skills, teaching from 2 year-olds to 82 year-olds. I taught students from everywhere from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Soon I sort new challenges, becoming a trainer and leader of other teachers.

When I left Singapore, I had achieved the position of Head of Academic Management Systems and Support for British Council Singapore. However, I missed teaching, and wanted to explore more of Asia. So for the past three years I have been the EAL Specialist at Dehong International Chinese School, Shanghai. There, I became better acquainted with teaching Chinese students, and training other teachers to do so as well.

To supplement my years of teaching and training experience, I have also acquired a range of qualifications. In addition to my degree in Psychology, from the University of Plymouth, and my PGCEi from The University of Nottingham, I am also a certified CELTA and DELTA trained teacher and TYLEC tutor.

My personal interests include reading and visiting the cinema. 

My journey started with a Sports Science Degree from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. I took my first steps into the world of education at Kingswood College, where I joined as a Graduate Intern while working on my PGCE in Physical Education. My time there, surrounded by the spirited boarding environment and fully immersed in the sports program, sparked a genuine passion for education and the school environment. From there, I ventured to Reddam House, Constantia, where I assumed the role of Director of Girls Sport. In this capacity, I played a key role in steering the school’s extensive sports programme and worked hard to introduce a number of sporting events and tours that have grown into some of South Africa’s largest sporting fixtures. The year 2019 marked a new chapter, as I relocated to Hong Kong. At Hong Kong International School, I took on the role of swimming instructor, shaping comprehensive swimming programmes catering to diverse age groups, ranging from the young beginners to competitive swimmers. In my current capacity as Head of Sports here at Harrow Appi, I aim to hone the skills that I have gained through these experiences to establish a sports programme that is entirely unique to our environment and like no other. In my free time, I enjoy getting out doors and am always on the hunt for somewhere to swim, however, since having been at Harrow Appi, I have fallen in love with the snow. 

It is an inspiring privilege to work with young people. I originate from Yorkshire in the north of England and, after becoming a Mum to my precious children, have enjoyed many years teaching Psychology to 16-18 year olds. I qualified as an Integrative Psychotherapist in 2019 and worked in private practice alongside my teaching responsibilities. The holistic wellbeing of young people is my priority and this drew me to the position of School Counsellor in the beautiful setting of Harrow Appi. I enjoy relaxing and recharging in the wonderful outdoors, baking, musical theatre (I love to sing!) and keeping up with the busy lives of my children and grandchildren. 

I have been a Secondary Teacher for over thirty years and in five different countries, Australia, Brunei, Hungary, Thailand and now Japan. I was born and grew up in Brisbane, Australia in a family that was very into sports and outdoor pursuits. This has developed a great love of nature and exploring the amazing world we live in. I have organised and participated in hiking, canoeing, cycling and camping expeditions in Australia, Canada, Nepal and Thailand, often in very remote locations. After leaving school, I completed a degree in Applied Chemistry followed by a degree in Education and have worked in several prestigious private schools in Australia and International Schools around the world.

I have a passion for Science and teaching and have taught all three Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) at A Level during my career. Working with young people and seeing them grow and achieve success at school motivates me every single day.

I have four grown up children who all went successfully through the International School system and are true Third Culture Kids.

My sporting passions are cycling (both road and mountain bike), volleyball and rugby. I am very much looking forward to being involved in these sports here at Harrow, Appi.

I am here with my wife who will be working as House Mistress of Ogata House. 

I am from the UK and first came to Japan 36 years ago on the JET programme teaching English in schools on Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture and then working as JET Programme Coordinator in Tokyo for a year before returning to take a Masters degree in Japanese Studies at Sheffield University. In 1992, I returned to Japan to work for the Japan Intercultural Academy for Municipalities in Shiga prefecture. During that time, I competed in the Japan Ironman Triathlon three years in succession.

After finishing a PGCE in Japanese and French at Nottingham University I set up the largest state secondary school Japanese Department at Tavistock College and a successful Japanese exchange programme with Edogawa ward in Tokyo. In 2013, I received the National award for Teacher of the Year in a UK Secondary School and in 2014 received the Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation for distinguished contribution to friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the UK as a language teacher. I enjoy running and cycling in my spare time and have taken part in many marathons and half marathons in both Japan and the UK.

With an origin in China and a transition to England at 15, I bring a dynamic cross-cultural perspective. Graduating with First-Class Honours in Mathematics from University College London (UCL) and MA in Mathematics and Education from King’s College London, I initially pursued a path in luxury fashion before embracing education. Prior to joining Harrow Appi, I devoted six years to highly selective grammar and private schools in London, specialising in A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

As the Founding Head of Mathematics at Harrow Appi, I orchestrated the formation of the department, collaborating with a team of four maths specialists. This endeavour, tailored to diverse student needs, was underpinned by the Mastery approach. Beyond academia, I lead a Python Coding club and organise maths competitions. I also enjoy various adventure activities; one highlight is I am a commissioned CCF Royal Navy Officer (Sub-Lieutenant). This multifaceted journey underscores my commitment to educational excellence and holistic development. 

Ni hao! I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Before joining Harrow Appi, I taught Chinese as a first, second and foreign language for 14 years at Island School, Hong Kong. As a Chinese teacher, I really enjoy sharing the beauty of the Chinese language and culture with students. My teaching philosophy is to lead students and provide them with flexibility to explore different ways of learning that are not traditionally part of the curriculum.

I enjoy serving the local community, and I hope I can share my experiences with students and encourage them to work closely so that they can feel more connected to the communities.

During my leisure time, I love doing yoga, travelling and learning foreign languages. 

Musicality is an important part of the human experience, listening, performing, and singing help to build community as well as develop an individual’s skills. I believe childhood should be cherished, and that making music at school can provide positive meaningful experiences which young people will carry into their adult lives. Singing with one’s House, playing in an orchestra, or forming a band with friends in the evening may well develop social and emotional ability but they are also worthwhile pursuits in and of themselves. My own music education was developed at a UK full-boarding school in a rural location and it is my hope that students here will take the opportunity to be able to use the music facilities in the mornings, evenings and weekends, free from the pressures and distractions of urban life.

My most recent role was at a high achieving London independent school where I had the great pleasure of leading choral groups in some of the nation’s foremost Cathedrals and University Colleges. Prior to this, I was Director of Music at an international boarding school in Malaysia from where I first travelled to Japan, finding it so magical that I was instantly drawn to the ambitious project which is Harrow Appi.

My main academic musical interest is in composition and how musicians develop their understanding of the relationship between melody and harmony. I am also interested in the development of musicality from an anthropological perspective, which formed part of my recent postgraduate research at UCL in 2020-22.

As a pianist, I find there is a limitless variety of repertoire to explore and I very much enjoy accompanying the different pieces students perform on their instruments. I look forward immensely to working with the students and the music team here at Appi, and to create some wonderful musical experiences for all.

As Head of English at Harrow Appi I bring a wealth of international experience and enthusiasm for literature and communication. Having been Head of Faculty at the Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, and teaching English in London, I have developed a range of skills and leadership as well as understanding of an international and high achieving academic context. Most recently I have been teaching on the Isle of Arran in Scotland which has equipped me with the skills and resilience necessary to appreciate a spectacular mountain environment. Prior to gaining my PGCE teaching qualification at Nottingham University I achieved a Joint Honours Master of Arts Degree in English Language and English Literature.

Beyond the classroom I enjoy music; singing in choirs, playing the trumpet in bands and orchestras. I also immerse myself in outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, swimming and mountain biking because I believe that nature and exercise are essential to health and wellbeing. I am excited by the opportunities inherent in our fantastic natural environment here at Harrow Appi and the opportunity to lead a dynamic English team. 

After completing my BSc in Sports Studies, I took the opportunity to coach football in the USA working with high school teams across the East Coast. On returning to the UK, I worked in Primary Schools to help develop Physical Education programmes. I then completed a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education at Liverpool John Moores University. I began my teaching career in the UK before moving to Oman, then to Macau where I spent six years, including four years as Head of Physical Education. During this time, I completed an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Portsmouth. Before joining Harrow Appi, I was working at The British School of Yangon as a whole-school Physical Education teacher.

As a sports enthusiast, I grew up participating in a wide range of sports and physical activities and developed a passion for football where I had many notable achievements. I enjoy immersing myself in the abundance of activities that life in Appi offers, including, golf, mountain biking, and snowboarding. I am looking forward to helping the students at Harrow Appi to enhance their transferable skills and develop a love of physical activity and sports. 

Design has always been prevalent in my life, even from a very young age. It is something that brings me so much joy and being able to share that with young people is a real privilege. This year, I am honoured to be overseeing the Design Technology and Art Department at Harrow Appi. Having taught in large and busy inner London schools it has enabled me to develop my planning, pastoral skills and curriculum knowledge.

I have spent my career teaching across both subject areas, Design Technology and Art. My understanding and experience of the many different specialisms will enable me to grow and expand on an already successful department and facilitate the continued planning and delivery of innovative lessons that is centred around holistic education for our students.

I am excited to see how we can bring the classroom outside into nature and use the beautiful environment around us, and the local community, to enrich student learning and lives. 

I am an advocate for life-long learning and someone who believes in challenging students to develop beyond the intellectual, and I joined Harrow Appi in July 2022. After obtaining my degree in Economics and Graduate Diploma of Education in Australia, I have held positions including Head of Faculty for Economics and Business in London and Malaysia, Assistant House Master at Harrow Bangkok and Academic and House tutor in Indonesia. I believe the learning endeavour is a continual process that takes place both inside and outside the classroom, and as such I place great value on the whole growth of the learner rather than emphasising specific parts of their learning experience.

Personally, I have high expectations of myself and believe in the importance of being a positive role model. Among other things, I am a dedicated cyclist having recently completed 396 km ride around Bali. I am a keen (and competitive) golfer, somewhat of a singer and guitarist, a qualified first aid trainer and enjoy a range of other outdoor pursuits and activities. I look forward to the continued success of Harrow Appi and helping provide an amazing educational experience for our students.