HEADTEACHER KAT HEALY
How long have you been teaching and what subjects have you taught?
I have been in education in the UK for over 16 years with a further 2 and a half years teaching English as a Foreign Language abroad in Nepal and South Korea.
I spent 7 years in KS1 and KS2 as Literacy Coordinator. I then moved to Secondary and spent 4 years teaching KS3 and KS4, including GCSE English. I was Literacy and Transition Coordinator during that time. Finally, I moved to Secondary SEN and have been a Deputy Headteacher for over 5 years leading Teaching and Learning; making decisions on curriculum, assessment, policy, CPD and overseeing the monitoring and tracking of progress.
This cross phase experience has given me a unique insight into the journey of a learner and, in particular, the kinds of barriers to learning which young people can encounter.
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OUR PRIMARY TEAM
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
To see young people discover their strengths and develop their interests, especially out of the classroom, is always a joy. To forge relationships in a pastoral setting is inspiring and often surprising, as they discover and demonstrate skills they didn’t realise they have.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Patient, flexible, intuitive.
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
I have always enjoyed working with children and actually started my journey as a 1:1 TLA for an autistic child. I enjoyed being in the classroom so much that I decided that was the career for me. Six years later, I’m still a teacher and still loving it and learning everyday.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
It’s different everyday and the children always teach me something new. They teach me to look inwards and to question life around me and how I do my job. The children always bring me joy even on my difficult days. It is also one of the most rewarding jobs watching them grow and learn.
How would your students describe you as a teacher?
Kind, patient and creative
YEAR 1 TEACHER GEORGINA STORMFIELD
DEPUTY HEAD & YEAR 2 TEACHER FAYE READING
How long have you been teaching and what subjects have you taught?
I have been teaching for 16 years. I was a KS2 Phase Leader and Deputy Headteacher for 4 years in the UK, where part of my role was to support schools in designing stimulating and engaging whole school curriculums as well as implement initiatives like Children’s University and Arts Mark Gold. My experience spans each Primary Key Stage which has equipped me in gaining a real understanding of children’s academic, social and emotional development.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
Seeing a child proud of themselves for achieving something that they couldn’t do before and watching their self esteem and abilities grow. It is so rewarding to see when children demonstrate the qualities of kindness, encouragement and consideration towards each other that you have worked hard to foster in them.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Reflective, imaginative, driven.
YEAR 2 TEACHER DANIELLA COOK
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
I have over 14 years of experience in Early Years and Primary Education and curriculum development. I completed my BA Honours Degree in Childhood Development and a BSc Honours in Early Years Education at Sheffield University. Following that, I undertook my PGCE at the University of Wales. During this time, I was fortunate enough to work across many different Early Years and Primary settings and schools in England and Wales, which allowed me to develop my knowledge and experience in curriculum development, SEN, and working within multidisciplinary teams to support children and families in the early years. I spent the last 10 years in Italy, China, and Bangkok, working across a variety of international and bilingual schools, which helped me grow both professionally and personally. After completing my master's and leading a kindergarten in Bangkok, I decided to move to Koh Phangan to bring balance to my work and life.
what do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I bring my passion, knowledge, and experience of Primary education into my teaching philosophy. I believe that children are 'born inquirers.' As educators, we can empower children to be independent, creative, lifelong learners by providing them with experiences enriched with positive relationships and enabling environments. I'm also a strong advocate for educating parents to support children's early development, as I believe in the importance of empowering home-school relationships.
How would your students describe you as a teacher?
My students would likely describe me as a passionate and knowledgeable educator who empowers them to be independent, creative, and lifelong learners.
YEAR 3 TEACHER LISA-JANE HARDING
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
Two subjects lit me up as a young person, and they were RE—for the way it weaved narratives together out of the cultures and beliefs of people around the globe, and French—which showed me there were other ways to communicate beyond English! These interests led me to a degree in Social Anthropology, where I specialised in Southeast Asian cultures. After graduating I moved to Asia and taught both KS1&2 in Bangkok and Hong Kong, before moving into Key Stage 3 & 4 in Hong Kong, where I was the headteacher of an International School for 8 years. I am joining Si Ri Panya from the Isle of Man, UK.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I really enjoy how creative, interdisciplinary, and versatile you can be as an educator. It’s thrilling to see confidence grow and independent learning occur. I see the multiple sides of the teacher’s role as an artform, which requires a special type of person who is good with people, knowledgeable and willing to take risks in the classroom. I like to make learning accessible for all students regardless of ability and love to discover students’ strengths, and to see them blossom and flourish in their own unique ways.
How would your students describe you as a teacher?
Creative, innovative, bold
YEAR 4 TEACHER VALERIE PARKER
How long have you been teaching?
I have 15 years of teaching experience, both as a primary teacher in America and a secondary English language teacher in Thailand. I also enjoy conducting workshops for adults and children, covering topics like yoga, laughter yoga, circus, cooking, art, and trauma-aware resilience and emotional intelligence. Teaching is my passion, and I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of my students.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I enjoy empowering others to do things they once considered impossible. I love when students feel proud of themselves for their accomplishments and look around for someone to share their excitement with.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Resourceful, Creative, Adaptable
YEAR 5 TEACHER BETH FARROW
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
From being a little girl I always knew I wanted to be a teacher: I started volunteering in a primary school during my A-levels, and taught ballet to children aged 3-5. I went to university and studied Primary Education and started a teaching job in London as soon as I qualified. I have been teaching for three years and completed a Bachelor of Education degree in Primary Education at University of Hertfordshire. During my degree, I taught in years 4 and 2, meaning I have 6 years of classroom experience. Since qualifying, I have taught all subjects in year 5 and 6 in London, England. During my career I have also been whole school Science lead and have enjoyed planning exciting Science events such as science fairs, careers week and school trips. As well as Science, I have a passion for English and art and love being creative in these subjects.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I love creating a learning environment that fosters children's ability to problem solve, understand new concepts and make connections in their learning. I enjoy helping children to embody a growth mindset and feel proud of their work in all subjects, knowing they have tried their best.
How would your students describe you as a teacher?
I asked my students this question and their response was: creative, kind, caring, understanding, passionate, funny, always there for you, very passionate about teaching English, always helpful if you’re stuck!
YEAR 6 TEACHER TONY SEVERIN
What was your journey to becoming a teacher?
I had a number of great teachers in secondary school. They made me feel a valued part of our school community. They helped me through some tricky teenage years. By the end of secondary school I had decided that being a teacher seemed like a pretty special career. After completing my final secondary school exams I went to university to study education. My first teaching appointment was at a remote school in the centre of Australia. I have now been working in schools for about 30 years. I have taught upper-primary curriculums mostly, as the majority of my classroom teaching experience has been in tiny remote schools in Central Australia, larger rural primary schools in Western Australia, and Primary Schools in the UK. I worked as a school Chaplain to an inner-city state school in Perth, a leader of Teaching and Learning Support in a Secondary School and an Assistant Principal in a large faith-based independent K - 12 College.
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What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
My professional passion is making schools great places for people to learn and grow. I have been fortunate to work in roles that have allowed me to build and lead exciting learning communities through growing the capacity of individual students, classrooms, teams of staff and whole school communities. I love
learning and growing alongside my students and colleagues.
How would your students describe you as a teacher?
Helpful, kind, creative and funny.
THAI TEACHER MEW
How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching in primary schools for 6 years. I have taught in schools on the mainland and in Koh Samui, where I specialised in teaching art and English.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
I enjoy seeing my students have fun learning. My challenge is to find the best technique to help everyone understand and so improve their knowledge. I believe if we have fun teaching, the students will have fun learning.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Creative, understanding, flexible
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THAI TEACHER NOI
How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching children for 22 years.
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
Teaching brings me joy and fosters growth in both educators and students. I am dedicated to continuous research and learning, acquiring knowledge and skills that benefit all. As a teacher, I believe love, patience, and forgiveness are vital. Love enables effective guidance, while patience nurtures understanding. Additionally, forgiveness fosters a healthy learning environment. These qualities are essential for being a good teacher and role model.
What three words would you use to describe yourself as a teacher?
Love, patience, and forgiveness.
THAI TEACHER FON. S
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
The opportunity to share my knowledge with students and play a role in their learning journey. Witnessing their enthusiasm while having fun and absorbing the material I've taught them is truly rewarding.
Engaging with my students fills me with positive energy. Teaching is not a one-way street; I find myself learning alongside them. Each day, whether inside the classroom or out, I gain insights from their experiences.
The core essence of being a teacher, to me, lies in comprehending the students. I take great joy in contributing to their growth. Guiding them towards positive behavioral changes holds a special place in my heart.
THAI TEACHER FON. B
What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love watching the children be curious or questionable about something that they do not perceive. It leads to the moment of A-HA, and that is when my enjoyment was built.
