Staffing News 13.06.20

Staffing 2020-21

As with all schools around the world, approaching the end of the school year we say goodbye to some of our staff members. This year we wish the following staff all the best and thank them for their hard work and for all they have brought to our KIS community. Sam Murison (Arts TA) is returning to University, Robert Graham (Secondary English) will be heading to Japan, Alvin Darwin (Secondary English), will be going to Australia to be with family,  Stephanie Corbishley (Secondary Business Studies) is heading over to Uzbekistan to continue teaching. Cassie Wong (Finance) is also returning to University, Ian Barker will be moving to China and Andrea Henry, after nearly 20 years at KIS will be retiring. We wish them all the very best for their future adventures.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the new staff who will be joining us in the new school year.

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I am just about to finish my twentieth year in teaching. Time passes quickly in what I consider to be the best profession in the world, where no single day is ever the same. I will be joining KIS from The British School of Guangzhou where I have worked for five years, four of them as Assistant Head of Secondary and Head of Sixth Form. I feel incredibly lucky to be joining a school with such a strong heritage and a renowned reputation for excellence as Deputy Head of Secondary. When not at school I enjoy travelling and cycling, and I look forward to exploring beautiful Sabah with my wife, who will also be working in Secondary, and my two young daughters. It is nearly 10 years since I last visited Sabah and I cannot wait to retrace my steps and experience once again the breathtaking scenery and outstanding hospitality.

I am originally from Dundee, Scotland and attended various schools across Europe as a child. After returning to my home town to study for a degree in English Literature, I went to St. Andrews where I pursued my interest in feminism and gender by enrolling on their MLitt course entitled ‘Women, Writing and Gender’. At the conclusion of my Master’s course I moved south to train as teacher in Rugby, Warwickshire. Two years ago I relocated to London where I took up employment at various state schools. I am thrilled to be joining the team at Kota Kinabalu International School in a few short months, and very much look forward to exploring a new part of the world.

I am very much looking forward to coming to KIS and starting this new exciting adventure. I am currently living in Brighton, England and I am in my 6th year of teaching English. Predictably, as an English teacher, I love books, and have just finished re-reading one of my favourite novels, Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro. I also enjoy writing for pleasure, and I am looking forward to doing this in Borneo surrounded by the beautiful nature and sunshine. My other interests are conservation and scuba diving, which I combined three years ago when I worked as a divemaster and marine researcher in the Seychelles. I must admit, that the diving opportunities Borneo has to offer are very exciting! I cannot wait to join you in August, and I look forward to experiencing a new culture and getting to know the KIS community.

Following the completion of my degree in Business Education, I started my teaching career on the Isle of Wight before relocating to the Midlands in 2002. I experienced the joy of seeing so many students fulfil their dreams and enter the world of limitless possibilities. For this reason alone teaching is something special. Since our move to China I have worked for two years as a part-time teacher of Business and Economics and, more recently, as the school’s Examinations Officer. Now my daughters are of Primary age I look forward to working as a full-time teacher again and supporting and guiding the next generation of budding entrepreneurs and business leaders. The thought of being able to visit a picturesque beach and experience a fabulous Sabah sunset is very appealing. The Lonely Planet guide book for Borneo has already been read cover to cover in preparation for our big move.

I am half Malaysian and half English. I grew up in Hong Kong and am a Year 1 teacher at the British School of Yangon in Myanmar where I have been for four years. I have taught as a teacher in both Nottingham and Beijing and am currently training to be a therapeutic play specialist. I am passionate about making learning an adventure and foster an inclusive and exciting classroom environment where taking risks and making mistakes are all part of the journey! I love trying new things and taking on new challenges and am currently training to run a half-marathon and am doing a course in pottery-making. I am really excited to be moving to Sabah this August and can’t wait to meet the KIS community. I also love to surf, birdwatch, run and swim and look forward to being able to do all of these things in beautiful Borneo!