Staff
Staff at Stonyhurst International School, Penang
Conscience, competence, compassion
and commitment.
People, not buildings or facilities, are what make a good school great and we are proud to have an exceptional team of staff who pass on their enthusiasm and love of Stonyhurst to our students and community. For many of our specialists, this relationship begins in our Junior School and will grow year on year as the specialist teacher moves up the School with our students.To find out more about our school community please explore our staff body below.
Senior Leadership Team
Academic
Mr Justin Durling
Mr Justin Durling
Principal
Contact Email
justin.durling@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Justin is a New Zealand citizen and completed his Bachelor’s degree and teaching qualifications at the University of Auckland. He has over 30 years of educational experience. During the past 18 years Justin has held Head of School positions across a range of premium British International Schools in Ecuador, Egypt and Malaysia.
Justin has a broad knowledge and experience of school evaluation and accreditation systems including the Council of International School and the Independent Schools inspectorate, both from the perspective of being a member of inspection teams and leading schools through the inspection and evaluation process. He has previous experience developing schools from the initial planning stages through opening and onto full accreditation with the Council of International Schools.
Justin has been working on the development of Stonyhurst International School since its inception 6 years ago. He was drawn to the school through its focus on Catholic values-based learning and its vision of developing Men and Women for Others.
As an educator the opportunity to develop a truly values based model of education that allows individuals to understand their place in the world and the importance of service to those less fortunate than themselves is a privilege.
Mrs Carmen Fitzpatrick
Mrs Carmen Fitzpatrick
Head of Pastoral
Contact Email
Mrs Carmen Fitzpatrick brings a considerable wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to the role. She has an impressive resume, with over 20 years of experience in educational settings, largely in leadership and administrative roles. Carmen holds a range of pastoral and wellbeing qualifications and experiences with particular focus on student wellbeing and welfare, adolescent counselling and behaviour management.
Carmen has overseen and led a number of pastoral care programmes and initiatives both in Australia and internationally, including her lengthy career chapters in the Maldives, Vietnam and Indonesia. Her depth of understanding of pastoral care in schools within Government, Independent and Catholic schools, along with her tertiary qualifications, gives Carmen the ideal standing for her role at Stonyhurst International School.
Supporting her work in pastoral care and educational wellbeing, Carmen is also a subject specialist in Psychology, Business Management and Humanities. She is a passionate educator, reflected in her keen interest in current, evidence based pedagogical practice and knowledge of curriculum.
More personally, Carmen’s role as Head of Pastoral reflects her intellect, her warm, friendly nature, her sense of care, compassion and empathy and her deep drive to support our students in becoming men and women for others.
Carmen’s strong drive is a characteristic of her life after school hours. She is a competitive powerlifter, and is looking forward to continuing her training, and competing, in Malaysia. Carmen is an avid traveller who’s previous stays in Penang and Malaysia have given her a true love of the diverse culture, flavours and natural wonders of the island and country.
Mrs Emma Horridge
Mrs Emma Horridge
Head of Junior School
Contact Email
emma.horridge@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mrs Emma Horridge completed her undergraduate and Masters degrees at the University of Cambridge. She then taught for a number of years in English Preparatory Schools before moving internationally with Brighton College, first in the United Arab Emirates and most recently in Thailand.
Emma is particularly passionate about leading professional development, she planned and organised the FOBISIA teaching conference for over 50 Schools across Asia in 2021 and has talked at a number of events such as the UAE University Innovation Series, GESS Educational Conference Dubai and the International Schools Association of Thailand Webinars 2020. She is excited to bring this passion and love of learning to the Junior School team.
Emma’s own education in Catholic Schools instilled a strong belief in the importance of a values based education. The strong ethos of Stonyhurst is what originally drew her to the position.
This is also a great opportunity for Emma to explore Penang with her husband Robert. They will be looking for their future home, most importantly ensuring it is right for their two cats who will be travelling with them to their third country. No doubt their time will also involve a round of golf. Unfortunately, while Robert is a golf coach, Emma is still not able to break 100 on the course, she is however very proud that she has managed a hole in one! Her other passions include food (she hears Penang is the right place for this), a good book and spending time with friends.
Mr Richard Moore
Mr Richard Moore
Head of Senior School
Contact Email
Mr Richard Moore has over thirty years of experience in education, working in the UK, Hong Kong, and Egypt. He has a Bachelor of Education and currently studying for an MA in Educational Leadership and Management.
Richard is joining us as he believes Stonyhurst Penang will offer a world-class education and sees it as a privilege to be part of this new school.
His educational philosophy revolves around the fact that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is his desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential.
Admin/Operations
Mr Kelvin Leong
Mr Kelvin Leong
COO/Bursar
Contact Email
Kelvin Leong graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor Of Computing in 2000. His career started with doing IT programming work for the banking institutions of HSBC, Maybank and OCBC.
He then went on to pursue his career in Ipoh with Kinta Properties, a land development company under the Bonanza Group which also owned Tenby Schools. During this time Kelvin was overall in charge of IT at Kinta Properties and after 4 years, he was given the opportunity to join Tenby Schools Corporate Office as the overall person in charge of their schools’ IT systems.
Within 3 years at Tenby Corporate Office, he was then promoted to be the Assistant Business Development Manager where he assisted in setting up 3 new schools in Johor, Miri and Tropicana Aman from the drawing stage to getting the licence from the Ministry of Education to hire new staff and fit up the new schools.
Kelvin Leong had also been tasked to oversee everything in terms of the school operations such as Finance, Human Resource, Facilities Maintenance, Information Technology, Procurement, Compliance and the Business Development (Admissions and Marketing) departments. He showed exceptional performance in all these areas of work On a few occasions, he had even gone out his way, by using his vast connections outside school, to help the school to operate at a more effective level.
After having served a total of 6 years at Tenby Schools, Kelvin Leong joined Matrix Global Schools in Seremban as the Head Of Operations and was subsequently promoted as the Deputy General Manager within the 2 year that he was there. He served 5 years in this school in Seremban.
Kelvin Leong left for a short stint of 6 months to Nexus International School Putrajaya as the Head Of Operations before being asked to return to work at Matrix Global Schools by the founder of the school and Matrix Group, Dato Lee Thian Hock. Overall,
Kelvin Leong has had a total of 12 years of experience in the education industry.
With his knowlege, skills and a warm and friendly personality, as well as a wonderful sense of humour, Kelvin has brought a positive impact to all tbe schools that he has worked in. He inspires a cheerful and calm working environment and is respected by all non-academic and teaching staff as a person who will go to great lengths to help them . He is highly appreciated for all his contributions to the school and is regarded as someone who can help lead the school forward with his diligence, commitment and vast experience in the management and operation of schools.
Ms Ng Sin Yee
Ms Ng Sin Yee
Director of Admissions and Marketing
Contact Email
Ng Sin Yee joined Stonyhurst International School, Penang from Epsom College in Malaysia. Sin Yee has a deep and extensive background in all aspects of marketing and communications, as adept in vision and strategy as she is comfortable with hands-on implementation.
A self-confessed learning nerd, Sin Yee has worked in education for 17 years. She started her career in education as a marketer before pursuing a Master’s Degree and pivoting seamlessly to academia as a lecturer where she taught public relations, public speaking and advertising, as well as supervising students’ dissertations in degree programmes.
Sin Yee has a particular interest in collaborative leadership, and a passion for designing data-driven campaigns as evidenced by the quantitative research underpinning her Master’s dissertation on the Health Belief Model theoretical framework developed by social psychologists.
At Epsom College, she was deeply involved in both domestic and international marketing, and had the privilege of organising a number of high profile events at for the school. She was responsible for media planning, digital marketing and participated in recruitment fairs, both at home and abroad. During her time at Epsom, she was part of the team that launched their highly successful annual summer camps.
In her spare time, Sin Yee enjoys listening to music and working out at the gym. She has also recently developed an enthusiasm for learning Mandarin.
Senior School Staff
English
Mr Neil Grahame
Mr Neil Grahame
English
Contact Email
Mr Neil Grahame graduated from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, with an MA honours degree in English and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
He completed his probationary teacher year at one of Scotland’s top-performing state schools, Cults Academy, before working for four years in secondary schools in Aberdeenshire. He has been in international education for fourteen years, teaching in Thailand and Brunei before working at Dulwich College Beijing where he was Head of Year 7 and 8. His most recent role was Faculty Leader of Language and Literature at the British School Jakarta, Indonesia.
Throughout his career, Mr Grahame has developed a strong belief in values-based education and personalised learning through his extensive experience in teaching and pastoral roles – and it is this shared belief that attracted him to Stonyhurst. He joins us in Penang with his wife and two children.
Ms Molly Burbridge
Ms Molly Burbridge
English
Contact Email
Ms Molly Burbridge graduated from The University of Manchester with a BA in American Studies.
After travelling in South America, where she volunteered in a variety of settings, she returned to the University of Manchester to complete her Post Graduate Diploma in Education. She completed her PGDE with Teach First, a UK-based charity that aims to end educational inequality. She has spent four years teaching English at an academy in Oldham, Greater Manchester where she was also the PSHE Lead.
She enjoys organising extra-curricular opportunities for pupils as well as using her classroom as a space where students can use the subject of English to explore topics and ideas in the wider world.
Humanities
Ms Rachel Musgrove
Ms Rachel Musgrove
Computing
Contact Email
rachel.musgrove@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Rachel Musgrove graduated from the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside with a BSc in Computing and Psychology before completing her PGCE in Computing and IT at Brighton University.
Since graduating she has had several roles from teaching to Head of Department in a number of secondary schools in the English county of Sussex. She joins Stonyhurst Penang from her most recent role, Head of Subject for Computing, at Bellerbys International College Brighton.
She enjoys travelling, exploring new places, cultures and landscapes. She aims to teach Computing classes which encourage self-confidence, inquisitiveness and independence.
In her spare time, she enjoys keeping fit and healthy through, boxing, cycling, hiking and various forms of dance.
Mr Nicholas Umpleby
Mr Nicholas Umpleby
Geography
Contact Email
Mr Nicholas (Nick) Umpleby graduated from Durham University before completing an MSc from Oxford University. He then went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Education from Latrobe University, Melbourne, and gain the National Professional Qualification of Middle Leadership (Department for Education, UK).
As Head of Humanities, Trips Coordinator and Head of House, Nick has led teams in Australia and across Asia and East Africa and he is passionate about engaging students in real-world problem solving and taking learning beyond the school gates.
Nick was initially attracted to Stonyhurst due to the school’s commitment to values-based education and developing compassionate men and women. His own educational ethos is governed by the belief that teachers should help pupils develop the attributes to thrive, and positively contribute, in the world beyond school; and that students learn best when they know teachers care. He is excited to be joining a school
which shares these values.
Prior to a career in teaching, Nick worked for a leading adventure travel company as a Mountain Leader and he has designed adventurous educational opportunities across four continents; enabling him to also teach kayaking, climbing and navigation to secondary school students. Outside of school, Nick is an avid runner and regularly explores the trails on Penang Hill.
Ms Natrah Binti Mohamad Ali
Ms Natrah Binti Mohamad Ali
Agama
Contact Email
natrah.mohamadali@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Natrah Binti Mohamad Ali graduated from International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur with a Bachelor of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences majoring in Arabic Language and Literature.
She was part of the Penang State Education Department’s School Management Unit team before joining Stonyhurst International School. She taught secondary school students in Islamic Studies and Arabic, Quran and Fardhu Ain Class under the Penang Islamic Foundation.
Besides baking and decorating, she loves to watch action, fantasy, mystery and science fiction movies in her spare time. She wishes to travel around the world and learn as many languages and cultures.
Physical Education
Mr Ian Armstrong
Mr Ian Armstrong
Physical Education
Contact Email
Mr Ian Armstrong will be joining Stonyhurst from the Taipei European School in Taiwan, where he has been for the past 6 years. He is an excellent PE teacher and the Head of Year 9. Ian is devoted to pastoral care and has previously been Head of Year 8 and developed the House System for the school. Prior to his arrival in Taiwan, he spent 10 years teaching in the UK, where he was a Head of House for 230 students, alongside his PE role.
Ian’s education pathway includes 3 years at the University of Birmingham, studying Sport and Exercise Sciences. He completed his GTP and is currently undertaking his Master’s in Education with Exeter University. Throughout his time in education, he has also completed many courses including Mindfulness, The Science of Well-being, Positive Education, and various sporting qualifications too.
Outside of education, Ian is a huge sports fan who has relished a lifetime out on the pitch, in the pool, or on the court. He spent 30 years playing hockey, captaining and coaching various teams. He has played in the National League and has enjoyed county representation from Under 14s, up to senior level, as well as winning a National Mixed title.
In addition to Hockey, Ian likes tennis, golf, badminton, and cricket. He is also a super-keen swimmer, runner, cyclist, and subsequent triathlete too, with 2 Olympic distance triathlons and a Half-Ironman under his belt. The love of running also extended to 3 Marathons in London, Paris and Edinburgh respectively, as well as an unofficial Ultramarathon in Taipei!
Ian has a love of sport that he hopes will emanate with the community at Stonyhurst. He is incredibly excited about moving to Penang with his wife, Colette, who is also going to be teaching at the school. Both Ian and Colette have enjoyed many years travelling the globe, from independently trekking in Nepal to safaris in Namibia; soaking up the sun in Mauritius and skiing in Japan, amongst other wonderful experiences. They hope to continue their love of travel and explore Malaysia and South-East Asia some more!
With an incredibly optimistic outlook on life and oodles of enthusiasm, Ian can’t wait to be part of the new team at the new school, in a new environment, welcoming all the fresh-faced, ambitious and committed students who will grace the corridors of Stonyhurst as we all begin our new adventure together in Penang!
Mr Luke Loveridge
Mr Luke Loveridge
Physical Education
Contact Email
luke.loveridge@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Luke Loveridge joins us from Stonyhurst College, UK as the junior school physical education coordinator.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Loughborough University, before completing his PGCE in Physical Education at The University of Buckingham. He has been teaching at Stonyhurst College for eight years, in a number of roles. His most recent role working as the Head of Boys’ games for the preparatory school. He is passionate about teaching through the Jesuit virtues, understanding their importance for creating men and women for others.
He is looking forward to bringing his love of learning through games to Stonyhurst Penang. Believing creativity is maximised when you are living in the moment. He will be making the move to Penang with his wife Kiera, and two children; Decla and Ronan.
Mr Jet Lim
Mr Jet Lim
Swimming Coach
Contact Email
jet.lim@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Jet Lim was born in Kulim, Kedah but has made Penang his home for the past 8 years.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. Jet has been teaching swimming since 2014 and he holds the Malaysia Swimming Coaching Level 1 qualification. He is also a certified International (ILS) and Bronze Medallion Life Saver. Jet enjoys teaching young children and helping them develop a love of water because he believes that by helping children enjoy the water, they are much more likely to enjoy their swimming lessons!
Mathematics
Mr Anton Bush
Mr Anton Bush
Mathematics
Contact Email
anton.bush@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Anton Bush joined us from another International school in Malaysia, where he was the IGCSE coordinator and pupil profile leader. A maths teacher, head of department and leader with over 20 years of experience, Anton has a particular specialism in pure maths and mechanics.
He is keen to emphasise the real world application of mathematics both in lessons, and in CCA activities. After gaining a degree in electronic engineering from the University of York, he worked as a telecommunications research engineer and contributed to many international projects, gaining patents for a number of inventions. He uses these experiences to encourage students to be curious about the underlying maths in the world around them, and the confidence to question how things work, and how they might be improved.
He is a keen guitarist and (very) amateur luthier, and he keeps fit by cycling and taking country walks whenever possible.
Mr Sam Blundell
Mr Sam Blundell
Mathematics
Contact Email
samuel.blundell@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Sam Blundell graduated from The University of Canberra, Australia with a Bachelor of Primary Education. He began his teaching career in the Australian Capital Territory, teaching Grade 5 before moving to London and working as a Grade 3 and 5 teacher at The Hayes Primary school. It was in the role of Grade 5/6 Maths teacher that he decided to specialise in teaching the subject. Following this he moved to Thomas’ London Day School Clapham where he assumed the role of Grade 6 – 8 Maths teacher. Ever the intrepid traveler, he moved to Mexico City, where he worked teaching Maths to Grade 6 – 9. Before arriving in Malaysia, he took a 2 year break from teaching to become a PADI scuba diving instructor (PADI MSDT) and worked in Mexico and throughout the Caribbean, amassing over 600 logged dives and 150+ diving certifications. He is also able to teach first aid courses to staff and students at the school. In a recent role, he worked for a Summer Camp programme and lived on a Catamaran, sailing between Caribbean islands, whilst teaching diving to 12 to 18 year olds.
Sam is a passionate sportsman, enjoying football (soccer to some), skiing, running and of course diving. He enjoys sharing this passion with his students and throughout his many roles has always found time to run extra-curricular clubs and coach sporting teams. Everything from football, hockey and cricket to chess and rock climbing and some sports in between, he can always be seen at the side of the field or court urging his players on.
Science
Mr Neil Pettitt
Mr Neil Pettitt
Science
Contact Email
neil.pettit@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Neil Pettitt brings almost 25 years of teaching experience with him to Stonyhurst. Having been awarded a B.Sc (Hons) in Environmental Science from UWE in Bristol, UK, Neil then went on to receive a PGCE from UWE and embarked on what has proved to be a long and varied teaching career.
Starting with positions in Bristol and London, Neil first moved into international teaching in Valencia, Spain with subsequent positions in Oman, Russia, Malaysia and China where in addition to varied teaching roles, he has held a number of academic and pastoral positions of responsibility.
He has considerable experience across the curriculum and age range but it is science where his real passion lies and he will bring his dynamic and student-centred teaching style to Stonyhurst as our Science Coordinator. Neil believes that science is key in developing problem solving skills and that observational experimental technique helps nurture rational and logical thinking.
Outside of teaching he is a keen follower of sport, particularly cricket, football and rugby. He is an amateur musician involving himself in composition and home recording as well as hand building his own electronic effects. He also has an active interest in languages and history.
He arrives at Stonyhurst with his two youngest sons who are also excited to take up places in the school. He also has a cat in Kuala Lumpur who is waiting to make the trip up to Penang to join them.
Creatives
Mrs Dawn Lee
Mrs Dawn Lee
Art
Contact Email
dawn.lee@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mrs Dawn Lee is an experienced Head of Art with over 15 year’s leadership and teaching practice. Dawn gained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom before embarking on a successful career as Head of Department in England. After over a decade of leadership and teaching in the UK, Dawn embarked on an International teaching career where she was a founding member of Nanwai King’s College School Wuxi, a collaboration between King’s College School Wimbledon and Nanjing Foreign Language School, in China.
During Dawn’s career, she has shown extensive leadership qualities, leading departments in the UK and in China. Dawn finds most value in her work when coordinating whole school initiatives that build a sense of community, boost confidence and strengthen artistic ability and experience of students. She is excited to introduce many new projects to Stonyhurst including community murals, Portrait Artist of the Year and interactive Art Exhibitions within the school.
At Stonyhurst International school, she will lead the development of the Art department, that integrates a holistic, challenging and engaging learning experience. She is passionate about working with International students to create art that honours traditions, whilst deepening student understanding of modern and classical Art.
Mr Daniel Husbands
Mr Daniel Husbands
Drama
Contact Email
daniel.husbands@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Daniel Husbands moved away from full-time professional acting in 2011 and has been coaching, teaching, and inspiring students ever since.
He will be joining us from The Gregg School, a highly successful Independent day school in the south of England, where he is currently the Head of Drama. He graduated from Solent University with a BA Hons in Media and Cultural Studies and was awarded his PGCE from Southampton University.
Acting is his passion, both as an art form and as a craft, but more importantly, as a tool for helping young people find their own unique voice. He believes that Drama can change and enrich lives, and that it can develop and nurture genuine confidence and self-belief, even in the most nervous of students…as well as those with any additional needs. His experience as a professional actor also allows him to teach, motivate and challenge even the most aspiring and ambitious of Drama students. He states that working alongside so many fantastic and experienced actors, directors, and writers has been invaluable to his growth as a performer, a man, and most definitely as a teacher and he thrives on being able to pass this knowledge on in some way, every day, to his students.
He is also an avid sportsman and a super keen cricketer who loves the great outdoors, swimming, cycling, playing the guitar and yoga.
Mr Mark Lee
Mr Mark Lee
Music
Contact Email
mark.lee@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Mark Lee is a highly experiened leader and educator, where previous roles have included Head of Music and Expressive Arts, Head of Whole School Specialists, and Head of Year. He will be joining Stonyhurst International from China, where he was a founding member of staff at Nanwai King’s College School, Wuxi.
Mark is trained in Classical and Jazz piano, and has graduated with a BA Honours in Popular Music and Recording. After a successful career as a session musician, he gained his PGCE in Secondary Education from Manchester Metropolitan University, England in 2009. He has continued professional development throughout his career and has successfully completed the National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership, and Middle Leadership courses.
Mark believes students should be provided the opportunity to celebrate their diversity and be encouraged to follow their own path along each of their own personal journeys. By creating a supportive and aspirational learning environment, all students can progress, achieve and fulfil their goals. He is passionate about creating a learning environment where students can build confidence, learn to develop resilience, creativity and raise aspirations.
At Stonyhurst International School, he will call upon his experience in opening a school, and creating outstanding and extensive Co-Curricular programmes, to provide the students with an enriched and rewarding musical educational experience. Mark looks forward to using his performance experience through directing and supporting whole school musical productions, events and galas.
Modern Foreign Languages
Ms Rinosa Segaran
Ms Rinosa Segaran
Malay
Contact Email
rinosa.segaran@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Rinosa graduated from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Language and Literature.
Ms Rinosa began her career in Tenby Penang where she started as Teaching Assistant in Early Years department and gradually moved up to KS 2 as Malay Teacher, IPC Teacher and Primary CCA Coordinator. Following this Ms Rinosa transferred to Tenby Tropicana Aman as Year 3 teacher and whole school CCA Coordinator. Before returning to her hometown, Ms Rinosa ventured into the secondary department and taught IGCSE Malay in the same school where she delivered lessons in KS 3 and directed Hari Raya performances for the whole school.
Mrs Sophie Juan
Mrs Sophie Juan
Mandarin
Contact Email
sophie.wei@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Sophie Wei completed her First Class Honor Degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language from Henan Normal University, China.
She has been teaching for over 10 years. She has experience in teaching towards HSK and IGCSE examinations, and in conducting teacher training programmes. Furthermore, she is very familiar with teaching in International Schools and has successfully taught Mandarin to a wide range of learners from around the world. In her career, she has proved to be a resourceful and goal-driven professional educator with a solid commitment to the social and academic growth and development of every child.
In addition, she enjoys developing teaching and learning materials for the different ability levels of her students. She was also an editor of Mandarin teaching material books which were published and sold in China.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing badminton, studying Tai Chi, creating Tea Art, Chinese calligraphy and spending time with her lovely family.
Mr Elvis Ho
Mr Elvis Ho
Mandarin
Contact Email
Mr Elvis Ho joins us from St. Joseph Institution International School, PJ (Malaysia), where he was a high school Mandarin teacher for over four years.
It has been nine years since he taught in an international school. He graduated from the National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan, with a degree in Liberal Arts. His expertise is in coaching students to perform the Chinese 24 festival drums, and he is proud of students who appreciate Chinese culture. Language is not only learned from a book, but also experienced in the real world. As a result, He organised an educational trip to China before the pandemic.
Running and working out at the gym are his favourite activities during the day, and reading is his favourite activity at night.
Ms Teh Yeu Shu
Ms Teh Yeu Shu
Mandarin
Contact Email
Ms Teh Yeu Shu graduated from University Tunku Abdul Rahman with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Chinese Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
“Happiness is seeing the smile on the child’s face as they learn.”
Indeed, this has always been her motivation and passion in teaching and learning journey. She has been a Mandarin teacher in Malaysia and Brunei for the past eight years. She has taught Mandarin classes at different levels, from Nursery to Secondary. She believes in celebrating diversity and is constantly searching for new methods to help students to grow. Learning should be enjoyable and creative and is looking forward to her role of Mandarin teacher at Stonyhurst International School.
Mrs Rabiahtul Bazariah Binti Mohd Makthum
Mrs Rabiahtul Bazariah Binti Mohd Makthum
Head of Malay
Contact Email
rabiahtul.bazariah@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mrs Rabiahtul Bazariah Binti Mohd Makthum graduated from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak with a Bachelor of Education (Hons), majoring in Language and Literature.
She has 14 years of teaching experience, having taught in primary and secondary schools, up to IGCSE level, as well as lecturing LAN papers in a private college in Penang. Mrs. Rabiah was an examiner for CIE for the IGCSE Malay paper. She is very passionate and dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. She hopes to provide students with the abilities to master the necessary skills in the Malay language. She enjoys listening to music during her free time. Becoming an inspiring educator has been her dream since she was a child.
EAL
Ms Marie Jegat
Ms Marie Jegat
Head of EAL
Contact Email
marie.jegat@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Marie Jegat is originally from Brittany in France and moved to Scotland in 2004 where she qualified and received her PGDE from the University of Glasgow in 2007.
She has extensive experience in the classroom in both state and international schools; in Primary and Secondary. Prior to joining Stonyhurst, she taught French and Spanish at Preston Lodge High School in Scotland and she spent 2 years as the Head of EAL/Learning Support in another international school in Penang between 2018 and 2020. She is a keen linguist and has decided to return to the wonderful island of Penang with her husband Roger, her daughter Sacha and the new family addition, Batu the dog.
With fifteen years of teaching experience, Marie is extremely thrilled to be part of the founding team at Stonyhurst, teaching in a warm and thriving multi-cultural community. She is a passionate Modern Languages and EAL teacher who believes in the power of languages to bring people together. For Marie, learning languages is key to developing the students’ enthusiasm to explore and understand different cultures. She is looking forward to meeting her new students and to seeing them grow and develop within their school community of Stonyhurst and beyond.
Outside of school she enjoys travelling, cooking, music and spending time with her family and friends.
Ms Vityashinee a/p Muniandy
Ms Vityashinee a/p Muniandy
EAL Teacher
Contact Email
vityashinee.muniandy@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Vitya is thrilled to be joining the Stonyhurst family as an EAL teacher. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Education from University of Tunku Abdul Rahman. With more than 8 years of experience teaching EAL and ESL in Private and International schools, she is keen to develop and implement curriculum, manage classrooms, and help students advance their understanding of English language as well as mastering the communicative skills to be confident English speakers. She has a solid educational foundation and a passion for teaching.
She’s extremely enthusiastic about cultural and language immersion.
A firm believer herself that every child matters, her aim is to instil a lifelong passion for learning within students and assist them in realising their true talent. She truly believes that each pupil is an individual and unique with a range of experiences and talents that must be recognised and nurtured for them to thrive and flourish. She is dedicated in providing her pupils with a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment in which they can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially.
Vitya loves learning about new cultures, trying new food, and generally doing something a bit different. When she’s not travelling, most of her weekends involve exploring new cafes, watching Netflix, listening to music or unwind with a good book. A keen learner herself, she’s excited to be part of a school with such diversity, where she can share and learn from everyone. She looks forward in meeting the students, parents, and staff real soon.
Junior School Staff
Early Years Foundation Stage
Ms Soné du Plessis
Ms Soné du Plessis
Reception
Contact Email
sone.duplessis@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Soné du Plessis graduated with a B. Ed Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Africa. She is a very passionate Early Years Educator who began her teaching career in Pretoria, South Africa where she taught PreK-KG2.
In 2008, Soné moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and worked at Al Ittihad Private School and Emirates International School where she taught across KG1 – grade 1. In 2015 she started working at Swiss International Scientific school in Dubai as a KG1 classroom teacher before she was appointed KG1 Grade Coordinator and thereafter promoted in 2017 to Deputy Head of Early Years. She is passionate about student wellbeing and is currently responsible for safeguarding, pastoral care and Teaching and Learning in the Early Years.
Soné is looking forward to joining the Stonyhurst community and to meet the students and parents and to collaborate and build long lasting relationships. She feels very privileged to be part of such a diverse and international community.
In her spare time Sone enjoys travelling, discovering new countries and cultures. She also enjoys reading, Yoga, spending time on the beach, shopping and is excited to experience everything that Penang has to offer.
Ms Amareena Jayabalam
Ms Amareena Jayabalam
Nursery
Contact Email
Ms Amareena Jayabalam started her education career as a Nursery teacher at REAL Kids, Penang. She spent few years teaching pre-schoolers here after she graduated with Diploma in Mass Communication.
During her tenure here she attended many courses to upgrade her skills, she has a qualified certificate in teaching Jolly Phonics. After a while, Amareena ventured into a more challenging career path, she moved on to teach Cambridge English to primary and secondary school children. She is a graduate from Wawasan Open University Penang with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Studies majoring in TESL. Moreover, she has vast experience managing children from different age groups. After few years, she fully ventured into the Early Childhood Education field, she started off as a Nursery teacher at E-Bridge International Preschool.
As years passed, she moved from a Nursery teacher to Kindergarten teacher. She has always stood out at E-Bridge for having creative projects and lesson plans in her classroom. Beginning of this year, Amareena has been promoted to a Curriculum Coordinator at E-Bridge, subsequently becoming the Group Curriculum Coordinator for three centers (Bayan Baru, Georgetown and Batu Kawan). She helped and train teachers to garner experience in the Inquiry Based Approach. She help to check lesson plans, share ideas, classroom set ups, provocations and many other curriculum matters. She has completed her Kursus Asas Permata course which is a compulsory certificate for Nursery teachers by the JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia).
Key Stage 1
Mrs Nicola Johnson
Mrs Nicola Johnson
Year 2
Contact Email
nicola.johnson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mrs Nicola (Nicki) Johnson is joining Stonyhurst from The British School in the The Netherlands where she has worked for the last 6 years as a Primary Class Teacher and the Environmental Lead.
Nicki completed her Undergraduate Studies in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bath and then went on to do her PGCE at Exeter University. Prior to moving to The Netherlands, she taught in two different Preparatory Schools in the UK and in Ecuador, at the British School in Quito. Nicki is particularly passionate about the environment and enjoys teaching the children in her care the importance of looking after the world around them.
Nicki really enjoys helping others less fortunate than herself, so the strong community values, including ‘Men and Women for others,’ encouraging pupils to develop empathy for others was something that really attracted her to Stonyhurst.
Nicki enjoys spending time with her family and friends, experiencing new cultures, playing sports and reading a good book. She is really looking forward to moving to Penang in August with her husband, Tom, and their two daughters who will also be starting at Stonyhurst in September.
Mrs Colette Armstrong
Mrs Colette Armstrong
Year 1
Contact Email
Mrs Colette Armstrong is an enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate Early Years teacher, her last position was the Head of Year 1 in the British Section of Taipei European School, where she has been for the past 6 years. Prior to her arrival in Taiwan, she had spent 10 years teaching and leading Reception and Year 1 in the UK. She will be joining the Early Years team at Stonyhurst as a Year 1 teacher.
Having grown up in central England, UK, Colette moved north to attend the University of York, where she completed her degree in Educational Studies. After a year of traveling, she went to Warwick University to embark on her Early Years PGCE. In addition to her teaching role, over the years, Colette has continued to strengthen her personal academic prowess and is currently studying a Master’s course in Special and Inclusive Education, through Nottingham University.
Outside of the classroom, Colette is a keen sportsperson who has enjoyed playing Netball to a high standard and is adept in most racquet sports. Her love of sport has expanded into personal fitness and she continues to enjoy weightlifting, running, cycling and swimming. She also loves reading a good book, whilst sipping a coffee and indulging in sweet treats!
Another one of Colette’s greatest pleasures is traveling, being able to explore the wonders of our beautiful planet! Along with her husband, Ian, they have spent numerous holidays in the far-flung reaches of the globe experiencing many adventures and discovering a vast range of cultures, wildlife, and of course a plethora of culinary delights. She is very grateful for these life experiences, it has helped shape her love of nature, exploration, and this inspires her to greater heights.
It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Colette to be joining the team in Penang. She is looking forward to embarking on a new chapter in her life. With her experience, enthusiasm and sense of curiosity she simply cannot wait to create a happy, active and inclusive environment for the students at Stonyhurst School.
Key Stage 2
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick
Year 6
Contact Email
jeremy.fitzpatrick@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick joins Stonyhurst International School, Penang with 13 years experience in education, four of which have been in administration.
Graduating from double Bachelor programmes at La Trobe and and Deakin Universities in his home of Melbourne, Australia, Jeremy has taught all age ranges in junior school. He has spent six years in South East Asia schools, both in Vietnam and Indonesia. Jeremy is excited to take the role of Community Service (Sympatheia) Coordinator and Year 5 teacher as it speaks to his passion for Service-Learning.
Along with Service-Learning, Jeremy is also passionate about the environment, the philosophy of Stoicism, martial arts and has recently discovered freediving, He loves his role as a father to his two young sons who will also be attending Stonyhurst. Jeremy is an avid explorer and is looking forward to appreciating all the experiences that Penang has to offer.
Ms Nicola Ward
Ms Nicola Ward
Year 5
Contact Email
nicola.ward@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Nicola Ward is joining Stonyhurst from British International School Cairo. However, she has previously spent 4 years teaching KS1 children in a British International School in Malaysia. So she is extremely excited to return with her family and her (now 7-year-old) son, Ethan who remembers very little of his first home!
Nicola, who grew up in a small and quiet village in the North West of England, always remained close to her childhood teachers. It was their passion and enthusiasm during her own education that first sparked her desire to teach.
Following a BA in Education Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, Nicola completed her PGCE at The University of Bolton UK; where she began to tutor Childcare and Education in a Sixth Form College.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Nicola is eager to bring her enthusiasm and experience across KS1 and KS2 into her new teaching position at Stonyhurst. She strongly believes that inspirational teachers motive inspirational students “active and engaging learning encourages pupils to share ideas, work collaboratively and respect one another” Enabling pupils to reflect on and learn through their experiences with an open mind.
Nicola is an avid runner and has completed a number of memorable runs through Cairo, including the ‘Pyramids-Race Through History.’ She loves being outdoors with her family and is very much looking forward to exploring the Island of Penang. Ethan is hoping to see lots of wonderful wildlife (especially the monkeys!)
Ms Alice Horne
Ms Alice Horne
Year 4
Contact Email
alice.horne@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Alice Horne is joining us from her native Scotland where she has spent a year completing her Language and Linguistics Master’s Degree at the University of Glasgow. She has been specialising in Multilingualism and English language acquisition in order to better support a culturally diverse classroom.
Miss Horne has always had a passion for travel, prior to her teaching qualification she spent time in Australia, South America and Indonesia teaching English within a range of community projects. She graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first class Honours in Primary Education, and spent her first years as a teacher in the North of Scotland.
Miss Horne was instrumental in developing the ECO “green flag” status of her school, leading the gardening and ECO clubs as well as organising community coastal projects.
Miss Horne’s first international placement was in Bergamo, Italy where she was the Grade 3 teacher. It was here she developed a love for STEAM education, helping the school with their PYP coding development. Miss Horne is an avid hiker and is looking forward to challenging herself with some new jungle terrains in Penang.
Mr Tom Johnson
Mr Tom Johnson
Year 4
Contact Email
tom.johnson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Tom Johnson graduated from Exeter University with a BA(Ed) Honours degree. He has taught in two Preparatory Schools in The UK and has International teaching experience in both Ecuador and more recently in The Netherlands.
Tom is really looking forward to being part of the founding team at Stonyhurst Penang. He was particularly impressed with the strong community based ethos at the heart of the school. He will be working as a class teacher and will be keen to contribute to the sport and PE activities on offer too.
Tom is moving to Penang with his wife Nicki, who is the Year 2 class teacher. They have two daughters Tamia and Meeli, who will also be joining the school.
Ms Carolyn Thompson
Ms Carolyn Thompson
Year 3
Contact Email
carolyn.thompson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree, Ms Carolyn Thompson had a career in environmental education before entering teaching. She then gained a PGCE from the University of Gloucestershire in the UK and qualified as a primary school teacher in 2007.
She began her teaching career in a large junior school, teaching in Years 4 and 5 and completing a Master’s degree. She subsequently taught in two other UK primary schools teaching Year 2 then Year 3. During this time, she also held the positions of Comenius Project leader (working in partnership with schools in other European countries), Year Leader and KS1 County Moderator for Gloucestershire.
In 2017, she made the exciting move to Malaysia to teach in an international school, where she has worked since then as a Year 2 teacher, Year 3 teacher and Head of Year. Carolyn also has a background in musical theatre and has enjoyed being involved in concerts and productions in all her schools!
She believes in enabling every child to achieve, while promoting curiosity and a love of learning, in a happy, nurturing environment. She places high importance on encouraging children to become thoughtful, tolerant and well-rounded individuals by modelling and teaching values such as kindness, empathy, and respect.
Outside teaching, she is a keen singer-songwriter and musician and plays guitar regularly. Yoga and reading are pursuits she enjoys at home, and in the holidays, she likes to travel and explore new places.
Join the team
If you are seeking an educational setting in which to grow, professionally and personally, then we invite you to take a closer look at Stonyhurst International School, Penang.
Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting an application with a detailed resume indicating the position applied for in the subject field of the email to
hr@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
