Steve Shaw
Principal / Maths Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons), The University of Birmingham. PGCE, The University of Cambridge
Previous Teaching Experience: Steve spent 10 years working in the UK in city comprehensive schools in Cambridge, Derbyshire and Nottingham before moving to the UAE to support educational reform in Abu Dhabi. He then spent 2 years working in local government schools training Principals and Vice Principals in school improvement before moving to the British International School Abu Dhabi as the Head of Academic Studies. He spent three years there helping set up the Secondary school, overseeing the school application to become an IB World School, managing the curriculum, reporting and assessment and the tracking of student progress. Steve spent five years as the Head of Secondary at ABCIS before becoming the school Principal.
Present Responsibilities: Steve currently works across all three campuses and is a member of both Charity and Staff Welfare Aspects groups.
Email: steveshaw@theabcis.com
Stephen Ford
Head of Secondary
Nationality: British
Qualifications: First Class BSc (Hons), Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Trent Polytechnic Nottingham, UK. PGCE Physics and Science, Nottingham University, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Stephen has 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in different Secondary schools. He has taught in three different schools in the UK, has leadership experience as a Head of Science in two of them and additionally as an Assistant Headteacher in a large secondary school. This is his fifth year at the ABCIS and his previous roles included Head of Science and Head of Key Stage 4.
Present Responsibilities: Teacher of Year 13 Physics and is a member of the Yearbook team.
Email: stephenford@theabcis.com
Ian Bosonnet
Head of School Standards, Assessment and Pupil Performance
Nationality: Irish
Qualifications: B.A (Hons) double degree: History and Ancient History and Archaeology, Trinity College Dublin (1992), Higher Diploma of Education, Trinity College Dublin (1994), QTS UK (all Primary and Secondary Schools), Level 2 Qualified School Inspector (all UK and international schools).
Previous Teaching Experience: Ian has 25 years teaching experience in both Primary and Secondary areas and 15 in management and leadership. He worked at schools in Dublin (Ireland) and in South London (UK) for 6 years before arriving in Vietnam. He has held a number of middle and senior management roles throughout his career.
Present Responsibilities: Ian has a broad range of responsibilities within the school which extend from Nursery to Year 13. These include lead responsibility for child protection and health and safety matters, data analysis and reporting/advising about student performance to drive academic improvement, admissions and monitoring and advising on improvements in a range of different areas throughout the various key stages. He was twice lead evaluator of all evidence for the ABCIS during inspections by UK Department of Education inspectors in 2013 and 2017, in which the ABCIS received an “Outstanding” rating as a British School Overseas in all areas. Ian also leads the Model United Nations at the ABC international School and is also chair of the Parent’s Advisory Group.
Email: ianbosonnet@theabcis.com
Amy Beale
Head of Pastoral Care, Examinations Officer & Geography Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: TeachFirst – Geography PGCE, NQT, Canterbury Christ Church University. BA Geography, University College London.
Previous Teaching Experience: Amy has 12 years teaching experience in both British and International Schools. She worked in East London and Brunei prior to joining the ABCIS and held the position of Head of Year 8 in her London school. Amy has worked for The ABCIS for 8 years as a Geography teacher and previously held the positions of Head of Humanities and Head of Key Stage 3.
Present Responsibilities: As a member of the Senior Management Team Amy is the Head of Pastoral Care and Examinations Officer. She teaches Geography, runs the GIN ECA and is a member of the Student Welfare Aspects Group.
Email: amybeale@theabcis.com
Lee Sirett
English & Drama Teacher/ Head of Key Stage 3
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons.) English and Literary Studies, PGCE Secondary English, University of Worcester, UK. QTS UK (Secondary schools).
Previous Teaching Experience: Lee began his teaching career in a large secondary school on the outskirts of Birmingham where he taught English, Drama and Music. He then taught English as a Second Language in a private university in Beijing for one year, before moving to Gran Canaria to teach English Literature and Language from Key Stage 3 up to Key Stage 5. During this time he also taught A Level Philosophy as well as Drama, History and Music throughout the school. Whilst continuing to teach English and Drama since arriving at The ABCIS, six years ago, he has also been Head of Year across all year groups in Key Stage 3 for the last five years.
Present Responsibilities: Lee is presently Head of Key Stage 3, helps run the Secondary Production ECA and is a member of the Engage and Reporting Aspects Group.
Email: leesirett@theabcis.com
Christopher Stump
Head of Key Stage 5 (Year 12/13)
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BA (Hons.) Social and Cultural Studies, University of Nottingham; PGCE Religious Education, Sheffield Hallam University.
Previous teaching experience: Chris has been teaching for 9 years, spending the last 8 years leading Sociology at two successful London secondary schools. In addition to his role as a Head of Sociology, Chris has held the positions of Head of Year 12/13 and most recently as a Lead Practitioner for Teaching and Learning where he was responsible for coordinating whole-school professional learning and disseminating good practice. Spending the vast majority of his teaching career in sixth form, Chris has coordinated university applications for countless students.
Present Responsibilities: Mr. Chris is responsible for overseeing the academic progress of students in the Sixth Form, in addition to assisting students with their applications to higher education.
Email: christopherstump@theabcis.com
Andrew Akam
Chemistry Teacher/ Tutor of 8A
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, The University of Portsmouth, UK; PGCE Science, The University of Exeter, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Before joining the ABCIS in 2015, Andrew worked for 5 years in an independent boys’ school in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and in a large comprehensive school near Peterborough, England. Andrew takes part in a wide range of sports and has been involved in coaching youth rugby teams and has volunteered at a rugby academy in Ho Chi Minh City. He enjoys the outdoors and has played roles in supporting both the International Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Present Responsibilities: Andrew is chair of the Staff Social and Welfare Aspects Group, is House Coordinator, and helps to run the International Award ECA.
Email: andrewakam@theabcis.com
Alun Bidmead
Economic/ Business Studies/ Tutor of 13A
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Business Studies, PGCE Business and Economics, University College London, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Alun has been teaching Business Studies and Economics for over 12 years in the UK, Thailand, China and Vietnam. He commenced his teaching role after a successful commercial career in the retail and leisure industries. As well as being passionate and enthusiastic teacher, Alun is a qualified scuba diving instructor and technical diver.
Present Responsibilities: Alun is a form Tutor for Year 11, coordinates Work Experience for Year 11 students and co-runs the Saigon Enterprise Challenge ECA. He is a member of the Vision and Ethos Aspect group.
Email: alunbidmead@theabcis.com
Antoine Boussageon
Head of MFL
Nationality: : French
Qualifications: B.A. English Language, Literature and Civilisation, Sorbonne University, Paris, France; PGCE Modern Foreign Languages, French and German, Goldsmiths University, London UK; QTS UK (Secondary).
Previous Teaching Experience: Before moving to Vietnam two years ago, Antoine taught languages in London for eight years where he trained secondary teachers and became Head of Department. Through teaching German and Spanish at Primary and Secondary alongside French (up to Key Stage 5), Antoine has sought to stimulate his students' interest and broaden their horizons with an ever-growing conviction that languages are the best way to deepen our understanding of other people and societies.
Present Responsibilities: Antoine is our current Head of Modern Foreign Languages, he is also a member of the Google Aspects group and runs alternatively Đá cầu and Table Tennis clubs after school. Antoine and the MFL department organise annual Language events such as the French Café and the Language Perfect Competition.
Email: antoineboussageon@theabcis.com
Grant Bowdery
Biology & Science/ Head of Year 11
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Physiology and Sports Science, University of Leeds; PGCE Secondary Science QTS, University of Sussex.
Previous Teaching Experience: Mr. Grant is in his 15th year of teaching having started in Brighton in the UK and has since been teaching in international schools in the Middle-East and Kenya before moving to Vietnam. Mr. Grant has taught all three sciences with his specialism being Biology.
Present Responsibilities: Grant is Head of Year 11 and with his love of running leads the Running Club ECA challenging students to run a 100km by the end of the year, albeit not necessarily in one go.
Email: grantbowdery@theabcis.com
Emma Cowen
EAL Teacher/ Tutor of 8E
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Modern Foreign Languages (German and French), University of Central Lancashire, Preston UK. PGCE Modern Foreign Languages (German and French), University of Sunderland UK. Certification to teach English as Foreign Language.
Previous Teaching Experience: Emma has been teaching for 18 years. She started teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Poland in 2000 and then in Japan and Germany. After returning to the UK to teach German and French, she then moved to Kuwait to teach French, German and English. Later she worked in Fujairah, UAE which was followed by another career opportunity to teach French, German and Travel & Tourism in Al Ain, UAE, where she held the positions of Head of the House System and Head of Extra-Curricular Activities.
Present Responsibilities: Emma currently teaches EAL in the secondary school and helps with the Fox Football teams for the U19 girls. She is now a member of the Staff Social and Wellbeing Aspects Group.
Email: emmacowen@theabcis.com
Barnaby Davis
Head of English
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BA (Hons.) English Language and Literature, King's College; PGCE English, University of Exeter.
Previous teaching experience: Barnaby has been teaching for 11 years and has taught in both Europe and Asia. This is his second year at the ABCIS; prior to his appointment he came from Jerudong International School, Brunei, where he had been the Head of English. Barnaby has an enduring passion for the English language and its wonderful variety of literature, and believes that the best part of his role is being able to share that passion with students.
Present Responsibilities: Barnaby is the HOD for English and Drama. He is a member of the Engage and Reporting aspects group.
Email: barnabydavis@theabcis.com
Anish Dhokia
Maths Teacher/ Tutor of 13N
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Mathematical Sciences, City University London; PGCE Mathematics, UCL Institute of Education.
Previous teaching experience: After completing his PGCE, Anish worked in a successful voluntary aided school in North London, teaching Mathematics from Key Stages 3 to 5. As a form tutor, he supported the pastoral work of the school, including promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils. As well as being a committed and enthusiastic teacher, Anish enjoys a wide range of sports and is passionate about boxing and rock climbing in particular. He has 5 years of teaching experience.
Present Responsibilities: Anish currently runs the Ultimate Frisbee ECA and is a member of the Staff Welfare Aspects Group.
Email: anishdhokia@theabcis.com
Christine Easton
Science Teacher/ Tutor of Year 12C
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Chemistry, Queen Mary and Westfield College, UK. PGCE. General Science and Chemistry, King’s College London, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Christine taught Science for 14 years in three London schools before moving to British International School - Phuket, where she taught Science and IB Chemistry. After 2 years there she got married and moved back to her ancestral roots in Vietnam. She previously taught at BIS Vietnam and the ABCIS for three years before taking time out of teaching to raise a family.
Present Responsibilities: Christine currently teaches Science at KS3 and KS4 as well as Chemistry at KS5. She is a tutor of a Year 12 class, whose welfare and progress she will monitor this year. Christine runs an Online Scrabble club to encourage and help students widen their vocabulary. She is also a member of the Parent Advisory Group.
Email: christineeaston@theabcis.com
Kim Fendley
History Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) History, Swansea University, UK. PGCE Secondary History, University of Bath, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: After completing his PGCE, Kim worked at Parkstone Grammar School in Dorset, UK, where he taught Key Stages 3-5. Kim then went to Central Europe to teach at the Cambridge International School Bratislava (Slovakia) where he was a subject leader of History for 3 years. In addition to his role as subject leader, he was also Student Development and Pastoral Coordinator. Kim has 6 years teaching experience. He has a wide range of interests.
Present Responsibilities: Kim is part of the International Award team.
Email: kimfendley@theabcis.com
Tracey Garbarino
School Librarian
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) English and European Studies, Edge Hill University, Lancashire, UK.
Previous Experience: Tracey has 15 years experience as a Secondary School Librarian in the North of England. She is also the school’s Literacy Coordinator which includes activities like; organising reading promotional days, teaching students who require literacy intervention, running a journalists club, a book club and a comic creator’s club as extra-curricular activities. She has also been involved with residential trips run by the History Department.
Present Responsibilities: Tracey currently runs a Fiction Addiction ECA for secondary students and provides support for EAL and EIP students.
Email: traceygarbarino@theabcis.com
Gareth Groves
Music Teacher/ Head of Visual & Performing Arts/Head of Creative Outreach
Nationality: British
Qualifications: Bachelor of Music (Hons), University of Wales, Cardiff. GTP Secondary Music, University of Gloucestershire. QTS UK (both Primary and Secondary).
Previous Teaching Experience: Gareth has been involved in music education for over 17 years and has been classroom teaching for 14 years. Initially working in a secondary school, he went on to splitting his teaching across all key stages, eventually leading the music programme for the Gloucester Schools Partnership which included 39 Primary schools. Gareth was a singing teacher at Cheltenham College as well as a freelance coach for the UK's national ‘Sing Up’ programme for the South West of England.
Present Responsibilities: Gareth took over as Head of Visual & Performing Arts this year and looks forward to working with the expanding VAPA Faculty over the following years. Gareth has also become Head of Creative outreach, where he seeks to build on opportunities available to our school community. He runs several ECAs linked within Music including the Schools Orchestra. He is currently a member of the Google Aspect Group.
In May 2015, Gareth was elected onto the FOBISIA’s Executive Committee for Music and became Co-Chair of the committee in September 2017. Gareth has also been Artistic Director of the International Choir and Orchestra of HCMC since August 2016.
Email: garethgroves@theabcis.com
Warren Haines
French Teacher/ Tutor of 10W
Nationality: British
Qualifications: M.A. (Hons) French, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. PGCE (Middle Years), De Montfort University Bedford. QTS UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Warren has over a dozen years teaching experience across a range of age groups in both Primary and Secondary. He worked at schools in London and Dorchester (England) and in Athens (Greece), teaching Years 5 and 6 as well as Secondary French and P.E. While working in London Warren held the post of P.E. Coordinator. Warren lived and worked in France for several years before moving to Vietnam.
Present Responsibilities: Warren is in his eighth year at the ABCIS. He has previously taught Year 5 and Year 6 and this year will again be teaching French to KS2, KS3 and KS4 pupils. Warren is a Year 10 form tutor. He runs a badminton club for Key Stage 3 and 4 students and is a member of the Vision and Ethos Aspects group.
Email: warrenhaines@theabcis.com
Katherine Hawke
Geography Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Double Hons) Geography and Business Management, Oxford Brookes University, UK. PGCE Secondary Geography University of the West of England/ CLF SCITT.
Previous teaching experience: Since completing her PGCE, Katherine has been working for 3 years in a large academy in Bristol (UK), teaching Geography to Key Stages 3 and 4. Katherine has been a Head of House in the UK which involved running the annual Year 7 residential trip and the Duke of Edinburgh (International) Award. Katherine is also a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) and has supported multiple schools with their geography provision.
Present Responsibilities: Katherine is part of the Student Welfare Aspects Group and is leading the Global Issues Network (GIN) ECA with Ms. Amy.
Email: katherinehawke@theabcis.com
Bruce Hector
Head of Maths
Nationality: Australian
Qualifications: BS University of Newcastle, Australia. Diploma in Education, University of Newcastle, Australia. Bachelor of Education (Computer Education), University of New England, Australia.
Previous Teaching Experience: Bruce started teaching in 1985 and has taught for over thirty years in a number of secondary schools in Australia, and more recently at the British School in Jakarta. During this time he has held a variety of positions: Coordinator of Computing, IT and Learning Technologies in two of these schools and also as a year leader. Mr Bruce has also had extensive experience in the Scouting movement and has a great interest in all sports. He is an avid golfer and was formerly a representative hockey player.
Present Responsibilities: Bruce is a member of the Service and Charity Aspects Group, he also runs a golf ECA.
Email: brucehector@theabcis.com
Hannah Hewitt
Teacher of English & Drama/ Head of Year 10
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) English and Communication Studies, University of Liverpool, UK. PGCE English and Drama, University of Manchester, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Hannah began teaching in 2004, spending the first eight years in a school in Liverpool, UK before moving to an international school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is her fourth year at the ABCIS and her third as a Key Stage 4 Head of Year. In addition to being a subject teacher across three key stages, she has experience of being a form tutor and organising a variety of extra-curricular activities, and was co-director of several school productions while in KL. She passionately believes in the role of a holistic education, helping students to develop into well-rounded members of their community.
Present Responsibilities: Hannah is Head of Year 10, co-director of the production and a member of the Student Welfare Aspects Group.
Email: hannahhewitt@theabcis.com
Katie Holmes
Maths Teacher/ Head of Year 9
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) History, Cambridge University, UK. PGCE Mathematics, The Institute of Education, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Ms. Katie has now been teaching for 5 years. After completing her PGCE in London, Ms. Katie taught at a girls’ comprehensive school for 2 years in West London, where she taught mathematics across Key Stages 3 and 4. Ms. Katie then moved to Vietnam to continue her teaching career in an international setting. She has had experience being a Form Tutor and organising residential trips both in the UK and Vietnam. Ms. Katie has been a Head of Year for two years.
Present Responsibilities: This year Ms. Katie is Head of Year 9 and is part of the Staff Welfare Aspects Group.
Email: katieholmes@theabcis.com
Rebecca Hoyle
English and Drama Teacher/ Tutor of 9B
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) English Literature, University of Westminster, UK. PGCE in English with Media and Drama, London Metropolitan University, UK.
Previous Experience: Rebecca has been teaching English, Media and Drama for a total of 10 years in the UK, Vietnam and Thailand. She also held the post of Deputy Head of Year 12 in her final year of teaching in London. She has taught English Language, Literature, Drama, and Media Studies from Year 7 up to 13 during the last ten years, and has also some experience of teaching Key Stage 2 and Kindergarten. During her time at The ABCIS, she has also helped to co-direct a number of musical productions within the school.
Present Responsibilities: Rebecca is a member of the Student Welfare Aspects group, and is currently running the Production ECA.
Email: rebeccahoyle@theabcis.com
Adam Jennings
Secondary Science/ Biology, Tutor of 13A
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons.) Natural Sciences (Biology & Anthropology), University of Durham. MA Education, University of Durham. PGCE Science (Biology), University of Durham.
Previous teaching experience: Adam has 6 years of teaching experience, previously in the UK and now in Vietnam. He has previously taught in both Leeds and Lincoln in the UK prior to The ABCIS. Adam was Head of Biology during his final two years in the UK and was also heavily involved in educational visits, coordinating trips to Turkey, South Africa and also the International Award.
Present Responsibilities: As the ‘Engage’ Coordinator for the Secondary Campus, Adam is responsible for facilitating the input of various data into the school’s management information system, including timetables, ECAs and report mark sheets. A keen sportsperson, Adam also assists with the coaching of the U19 Football and Volleyball teams.
Email: adamjennings@theabcis.com
Imogen Jennings
Secondary PE Teacher/ Head of Year 8
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BA (Hons.) Sports Science and English, Loughborough University; PGCE in Secondary PE, Nottingham Trent University.
Previous teaching experience: Imogen taught for 3 years in Lincoln, England. She worked for one year in an outstanding PE department and school before moving to another academy in the area to take responsibility for raising attainment, confidence and motivation in girls within PE and across the school. She has also been involved in the running of several educational trips, including the International Award program. Imogen then moved to Vietnam to widen her experiences to international teaching. She was Head of Year 7 last year and has now moved up with her year group to become Head of Year 8.
Present Responsibilities: Imogen is also a member of the Student Welfare Aspects group and is actively involved in the pastoral support and extra-curricular opportunities across the school.
Email: imogenjennings@theabcis.com
Robert Jessop
Head of PE
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc (Hons.) Sports Science & Coaching, University of Bolton; PGCE PCET, Edge Hill University
Previous teaching experience: Rob has been teaching for 9 years. He began his career in Ipswich, UK where he worked as a Lecturer of Sports Science and had responsibility for improving teaching, learning & assessment across the college. He moved onto a renowned Sixth Form College in Birmingham, UK in 2013 where he founded the Physical Education Department as Head of Physical Education. Rob has coached at successful Basketball clubs and academies in the UK culminating in multiple championship wins. He has a keen interest in the use of technology within Physical Education and is a Google Certified Educator & Trainer.
Present Responsibilities: Rob is currently a coach for a wide variety of sports clubs for the school.
Email: robertjessop@theabcis.com
Stacey Liu
Mandarin Teacher/ Tutor of 9S
Nationality: Taiwanese
Qualifications: M.A. in English Literature, National Chung-Hsin University, Taiwan. PGCE, Keele University, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Stacey has more than twelve years’ experience teaching both English and Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan, Vietnam and New Zealand. She has previously taught Key Stages 1 and 2 as well as Secondary Mandarin Chinese.
Present Responsibilities: Stacey is teaching Mandarin Chinese to KS3 and KS4 pupils as well AS Level and is a Year 9 form tutor. She runs a Chinese Calligraphy Club for students and is the Chairperson for the Green Team Aspects Group.
Email: staceyliu@theabcis.com
Barry McGhee
Maths Teacher/ Tutor of 12B
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc Physics, The University of Glasgow, UK. PGCE Mathematics, The University of the West of Scotland, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Barry has 12 years teaching experience, having taught for 4 years in the UK as well as experience teaching in South Korea and China. Barry is now in his 5th year at the ABCIS where he has been teaching across Key Stages 3 to 5 including Further Maths.
Present Responsibilities: Alongside his role within the Mathematics Department, he is a Year 12 Form Tutor and a member of the schools vision and ethos aspects group.
Email: barrymcghee@theabcis.com
Lee McGovern
Head of ICT
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc. (Hons.) Computer Science and Information Systems, Salford University, UK. PGCE ICT, Bangor University, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Lee has nine years of teaching experience and has worked at large secondary schools in Hampshire and Northamptonshire where he taught ICT and Computing. Over this time he has gained significant experience in curriculum development and in pastoral areas.
Present Responsibilities: Lee is the current head of ICT & Computer Science and teaches Key Stages 4, and 5. He is also the chair of the Charity and Service Aspect Group and runs the De-stress Colouring Club for all Secondary students.
Email: leemcgovern@theabcis.com
Roisin Mulchrone
Psychology Teacher, Head of Humanities and Social Sciences
Nationality: : Irish
Qualifications: BSc (Hons.) Psychology, St. Mary’s University, Twickenham; PGCE Psychology, University of Wolverhampton; MA Education. St. Mary’s University, Twickenham.
Previous teaching experience: Roisin had 6 years teaching experience in London and is now in her second year at the ABCIS. She established a Psychology department in her previous school, where she was Head of Psychology for 3 years. In KS3 she has taught many subjects such as Religious Studies, Business and History. She has also been in charge of Charities and Fundraising as well as attending residential trips overseas.
Present Responsibilities: Roisin is Head of the Humanities and Social Sciences Department. This year she is in the Charities Aspects group and is also part of the International award ECA.
Email: roisinmulchrone@theabcis.com
Sarah Goldstein-Opasiak
Secondary Art Teacher, 10S Tutor
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BA (Hons.) Fine Art (3D), Central St. Martins, London; PGCE Art, University of Cambridge; MEd Arts, Culture, Education and Creativity, University of Cambridge.
Previous teaching experience: Sarah is in her 8th year as a Teacher of Art. During her time as a teacher she has been Teacher of Art and Head of Art at three successful schools in London and Hertfordshire. In addition to her responsibilities as a teacher, Sarah also has experience in the role as Whole School Gifted and Talented Coordinator and in coaching students.
Present Responsibilities: Sarah teaches Art to students from Year 8 to Year 13. Additionally, she is a member of the Environmental Improvement and Sustainability Aspects Group and runs the Doodle Creations ECA.
Email: sarahopasiak@theabcis.com
Steven Over
Physics and Science Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: B. Tech Honours Applied Physics, University of Bradford. PGCE Physics, University of Leeds.
Previous teaching experience: Steven has over 35 years teaching experience. After 9 years in Warrington (UK ) he took part in a Commonwealth teacher exchange programme to Perth, Western Australia. On return he then took up a position in Dubai (UAE) which lasted for 24 years, where he was also examinations officer for 8 years. This was followed by a year in the Channel Island of Guernsey before returning to the UK where he taught at a 14-19 Studio school in Liverpool.
Present Responsibilities: Steven is part of the Sharing Good Practice Aspects Group and assists with boys under 14 football for his ECA.
Email: stevenover@theabcis.com
Grant Pratt
Design & Technology Teacher & ECA Coordinator
Nationality: New Zealander
Qualifications: BSc. Botany, Otago University. Dip. in Landscape Architecture, L. A. Lincon University. Dip Ed. Wellington College of Education.
Previous Teaching Experience: Grant has 24 years teaching experience both in New Zealand and in a range of International schooling systems. He has taught in New Zealand, Japan, England, Poland, Finland and Vietnam.
Present Responsibilities: Grant currently teaches Key Stage 4 & 5 Design and Technology and is a member of the Green Team Aspects Group. He is coordinator for Extra Curricular Activities at Secondary Campus.
Email: grantpratt@theabcis.com
Bryan Richards
Head of Science
Nationality: : British
Qualifications: BSc in Physics at the University of East Anglia; PHD in Low Temperature Physics, University of East Anglia,UK; PGCEi, Nottingham University.
Previous teaching experience: Bryan has 30 years teaching experience in the UK and overseas.. He began his career at Sevenoaks School in Kent and moved to Jerudong International School, Brunei in 2007. He has taught Physics to Years 7-13. He has been Head of Physics and is an experienced A level and IB examiner.
Present Responsibilities: Head of Science and a member of the Sharing Good Practice Aspects Group.
Email: bryanrichards@theabcis.com
Bethan Smith
Art Teacher, Design Technology Teacher
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Photography and Video, De Montfort University, UK. PGCE Secondary Art and Design, University of Nottingham, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: Bethan’s 3 years teaching experience includes teaching primary school followed by two years at The West Bridgford School, a large secondary academy in Nottingham where she completed a Secondary PGCE/SCITT in Art and Design. During her time teaching she taught Art and Design as well as Photography to Key Stage 3 to 5 and created multiple extracurricular clubs.
Present Responsibilities: This year, Bethan is running a Photography ECA and is also a member of the Service and Charity aspects group.
Email: bethansmith@theabcis.com
Kevin Stewart
ICT Teacher/ Tutor of 11K
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BSc. Computer Science, Glasgow University, PGCE ICT, Sunderland University.
Previous Teaching Experience: After completing his teacher training in the North of England, Mr. Kevin spent 5 months teaching EFL with Apollo in Hai Phong, Vietnam. On completion of that job Mr. Kevin took up an international post teaching Computing and ICT in Indonesia at the New Zealand Independent School. He has 7 years teaching experience.
Present Responsibilities: Alongside his role as an ICT teacher, he is also a Year 11 tutor. Kevin is the chairperson of the Google Aspects Group and runs the Strategy Board Games ECA.
Email: kevinstewart@theabcis.com
Joe Tracy
Teacher of Business Studies / Head of Year 7
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA Hons Business and Management, University of Greenwich, London, UK (2010)
QTS (Bromley Schools Collegiate)
Previous Teaching Experience: Joe has been teaching for 8 years in the London Borough of Bromley, UK. He has worked as a teacher of ICT and Business Studies as well as being part of the pastoral team holding the position of Head of Year 7 for the last 6 years. Joe is committed to ensuring students are well prepared for secondary school life and has worked with a number of primary schools to ensure secondary school support is fit for purpose. Joe believes that everyone has the potential to be successful and was coordinator of the school’s Growth Mindset strategy.
Present Responsibilities: Joe is currently Head of year 7 as well as being part of the Student Welfare aspects group. Joe also currently runs the enterprise ECA with Mr. Alun.
Email: joetracy@theabcis.com
Gavin Wheatley
Business Studies and Economics Teacher/ Tutor of 13G
Nationality: : British
Qualification: BA (Hons) Business Administration, University of Wolverhampton (UK). Certificate of Education (Cert Ed), University of Birmingham (UK). PGCE International, University of Sunderland (UK). MA International Education, University of Sunderland (UK).
Previous teaching Experience: After working for a short time in the UK hospitality industry, Gavin began teaching and worked for 7 years in two of the West Midlands’ largest colleges, where he taught A-level and GCSE Business Studies and Economics, before moving into international secondary education. He then moved to China, where he worked for 4 years. During his time there he taught IGCSE and A-level Business Studies and Economics. Gavin is a big believer in inspiring confidence as an essential tool for success; during his time in China he ran the school choir and assisted in the running of the school's dramatic society. He has been teaching for 13 years.
Present Responsibilities: Gavin coordinates the Work Experience for Year 11 students. He will be running a Secondary Baking Club and is a member of the Vision and Ethos Aspects group. Gavin is also a Year 13 form tutor.
Email: gavinwheatley@theabcis.com
Mark White
ICT Teacher/ Tutor of 11M
Nationality: British
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Education Studies, University of Plymouth, UK. PGCE ICT, University of Brighton, UK.
Previous Teaching Experience: After completing his PGCE in 2012, Mark began teaching in a new start up school in Hammersmith, Central London where he taught ICT and Computing to Key Stages 3 to 5. After three successful years in England, he made the move to Vietnam and has been teaching ICT and Computing at ABCIS for the past year.
Present Responsibilities: Alongside his role as an ICT teacher, he is also a Year 12 tutor. Mark also runs the International Award.
Email: markwhite@theabcis.com
Jiin Yang
Mathematics Teacher
Nationality: Korean
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Mathematics, University of Kent, UK. PGCE Secondary Mathematics, University of Cambridge.
Previous Teaching Experience: Prior to coming to the ABCIS, Jiin worked at St. Bedes School in Cambridge (UK). She has experience in preparing students for logic and Maths competitions including the UK Maths Challenge. Jiin is looking forward to providing students at the ABCIS with new and exciting methods of learning Maths.
Present Responsibilities: Jiin currently runs the World Puzzle Challenge club.
Email: jiinyang@theabcis.com
Bo Zhong
Secondary Chinese Teacher
Nationality: Chinese
Qualifications: M.ED International Teaching, Framingham State University, USA; Graduate Diploma, Teaching Profession (International Program), Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand; B.A. English, Yunnan University, China.
Previous teaching experience: Bo has been teaching Mandarin Chinese for 12 years. He has 8 years teaching experience in International schools both in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City covering 3 IB programmes (PYP, MYP and IBDP), IGCSE and AS Chinese.
Present Responsibilities: Bo is a secondary Chinese teacher at ABCIS, also he is Y7B tutor in this year. He is a member in the Sharing Good Practice aspects group, and he is always supporting the table tennis ECA.
Email: bozhong@theabcis.com