MEET THE TEAM
FACULTY
Toby Waterson has joined Shrewsbury School International Phnom Penh as Founding Principal. He read International Politics and Geography at UC Aberystwyth and holds a PGCE from that same institution as well as Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham. With over twenty-five years teaching and leading in schools, in a range of educational settings, from his native UK to South Korea and Brazil, he has broad and relevant experience. He was a founding member of North London Collegiate School Jeju, South Korea, now one of East Asia’s most impressive schools which won the accolade of the ‘British International School of the Year’ in 2021 (Independent Schools of the Year Award). He is now excited to be leading an equally ambitious and he is now excited to lead an equally ambitious new project in Cambodia and to oversee a similar story of success, aspiration and offering of quality provision. Toby believes with conviction in the value and advantages that a genuinely holistic education brings young people, and is already witnessing how Phnom Penh is fertile ground for Shrewsbury School’s unique and powerful educational ethos to take root and flourish. He is married with three young children and enjoys being outdoors whenever he has the opportunity!
Annalese graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Early Years Teacher Status from Sheffield Hallam University in the U.K. in 2017. She then taught in Sheffield caring for and educating children from babies to age 5, giving her an extensive knowledge of the British Early Years Foundation Stage. As pre-school leader, Annalese implemented the pre-school curriculum including the teaching of phonics. Annalese is a qualified Forest School Leader and was responsible for creating the Forest School Curriculum at her previous school in the U.K. and she is enthusiastic about learning and teaching about nature. In addition to her work as an Early Years Teacher, Annalese has a degree in Film Production and has been teaching film as an extra-curricular activity to 5 – 18 year olds. She is passionate about using different technologies to create fun and interesting short films. Annalese believes in the power of early education and supporting children to be strong, independent learners.
Brent graduated with a BA in Primary Education from the University of Northampton in the UK in 2011. He has worked in education over the past 12 years, teaching and leading in a range of school settings across Northamptonshire. From teaching pupils from 4-11 years old, Brent has the experience, knowledge and understanding of the British Curriculum to support and challenge pupils’ learning and progress throughout their education. Brent has previously helped to design and deliver new school curricula across several school settings. Alongside this, he has enjoyed engaging the wider community in a range of whole school projects. Brent has visited Cambodia in the past and is now excited to return and to work at Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh!
Rachel discovered her love in playing piano at an early age and enrolled under Raymond Tan at age six and this led to earning her Diploma in Music Performance in Trinity Licentiate (LTCL) later gaining a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Music Performance and Pedagogy at University Science Malaysia and her Masters in Music Education from Kingston University London. She has now over fourteen years of working experiential wealth behind her; teaching, arranging music, conducting orchestras and establishing music clubs to enable students to engage, explore and develop their skills. Rachel believes music is an important element in a pupil’s life as it is an incredible vehicle for self expression. Her involvement in this industry demonstrates her commitment to her profession and does not stop here. In between semester breaks, she attends music workshops and events to network with other educators.
Chantheth attended the Royal University of Phnom Penh and received a Bachelor of Khmer Language and gained experience teaching Khmer literature following her degree. After a year working as a teaching assistant at Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh and learning the ethos and practical skills commonly employed here, she has taken on the responsibilities of teacher of Khmer language. Chantheth is passionate about the Khmer language and culture and brings this alive in the classroom
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Sereyvuth Somphanvotey, a graduate of the Institute of Foreign Languages with a Bachelor’s degree in Education specializing in English, brings her passion for education to Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh as a teaching assistant. With two years of experience in international school education, she infuses her enthusiasm and expertise into her role, assisting in creating dynamic and supportive learning environments. Sereyvuth is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of students, supporting their growth and development every step of the way.
SUPPORT STAFF
Ava graduated from Hainan University with a degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Her degree was put to good use when Ava was dispatched by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, under the Ministry of Education of China, to teach Chinese on a voluntary basis in schools in Cambodia. She then moved into the private sector where she also had responsibility for overseeing Chinese parent relations. In 2014 Ava joined the LG Cosmetics team in Cambodia where she successfully worked as the marketing director for six years. Now Ava is combining her passion for education, her experience as a mother of two boys with her skills attained in marketing and parent engagement in her role at our school! Ava is excited to be a member of Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh and help the school grow.
Leonora (or Olea as we know her) graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a Major in Accounting from the University of LCBA (Laguna College of Business and Arts). Originally from the Philippines, Olea now has ten years experience working here in Cambodia in accountancy related roles for manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. Working here at Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh is another part of her life she sees as an opportunity to share knowledge, wisdom and support teachers and work colleagues.
Kimlang is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in international relations at Pannasastra University of Cambodia. Before joining Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh, Kimlang experienced working as a client service officer at a standard international school in Phnom Penh for more than a year. She is passionate about working with children and babies and hopes to help deliver one of the best experiences for parents and family in interacting and communicating with the school. In her spare time, she loves to go to cafés and travel.
Mati graduated from Phnom Penh International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She also attained a TESOL Certification from Pannasastra University of Cambodia. Mati then experienced working in customer service and sales at International Phnom Penh Airport and worked as a volunteer and taught for over ten years for a childrens’ outreach programme in Cosi Orphanage and Cos-youth. Mati has previously worked as the Receptionist at Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh and has now moved to a Personal Assistant role, whilst supporting the reception function through the week. In her spare time, she loves to travel to the beach and spend time with family and friends.
Sea holds an Associate degree in Nursing from the Health Science Institute of the R.C.A.F. During her studies, she trained at the Khmer-Russia Friendship hospital and the Kossamak Hospital, and volunteered as a nurse at the Khmer-Russia Friendship hospital and the One-2-One Cambodia Organisation. She also worked as a nurse at Forever Young Clinic in Phnom Penh. After completing her degree, she started to work as a Senior Nurse in IPD at the Sunrise Japan Hospital, also in Phnom Penh. Her duties there included assisting the doctors, administering medicine to the patients, collecting samples, sterilizing equipment, assisting in the assessment and diagnosis process, and communicating with patients’ families.
Kimsour currently pursuing a degree in Accounting at Vanda Accounting Institute of Phnom Penh, Kimsour brings one and a half years of experience as a cashier and receptionist. Passionate about education, she has also volunteered as a Chinese teacher at a local church. With her strong skills in accounting and enthusiasm for working with students, Kimsour is excited to contribute to our school community.
Our wonderful cleaners are always busy keeping our school spotless and safe!
Our wonderful cleaners are always busy keeping our school spotless and safe!
DIRECTORS
Governance
Carla Howarth became a Shrewsbury School Governor in 2014. She chairs the International Development Committee and is a member of the Nominations & Remuneration Committee. Carla holds a first degree in Law, a Master’s Degree in Criminology and is a qualified barrister. She has worked in the criminal court systems as a Senior Lecturer at the City University of Hong Kong. She has authored practitioner texts in criminal law and is currently the Managing Director of a global training and education consultancy. Carla has a son and a daughter who are both Old Salopians.
Dr. Maghin has been an International Development Director of Shrewsbury School since 2019. He had been a School Governor of Duffield Meadows Primary School between 2016 – 2020. Prior to joining Shrewsbury School, he held senior management positions in Rolls-Royce for 9 years. Dr. Maghin holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham.
Dan was educated at Shrewsbury School and after taking a gap year in Australia, Dan studied at Exeter University and graduated with a BA Combined Honours Degree in Economics and Geography. Dan previously worked for the food supply-chain business in account management roles and is now a director and partner in his family beef farming businesses. He also works part time as an external consultant to the food industry. He is married to Iona with with children, one of whom is a current pupil at Shrewsbury School. Dan was appointed as Governor to Shrewsbury School in 2021 and is a member of the Audit Committee and the International Development Committee. Dan also finds time to serve as a Shropshire Councillor and is the cabinet member for Highways and Infrastructure, and also vice-chair of the Standards Committee.
Dr. Lo is a Founding Governor of the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as a Hong Kong renowned independent school, The ISF Academy. Dr. Lo started his business career at McKinsey & Company and has subsequently held various top management posts at a number of leading organisations such as HK Telecom, Cable & Wireless plc, Citibank, and WPP plc. In 1996, he was selected as a ‘Global Leader for Tomorrow’ by the Davos-based, renowned global organisation, World Economic Forum. In 2000, he was selected as one of the top 25 Asia’s Digital Elites by the Asia Week magazine. He was also a founding member of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong’s Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) Listing Committee. In 1999, Dr. Lo was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) of the HKSAR Government for his contribution to the city of Hong Kong. Dr. Lo obtained an MPhil Degree in Molecular Pharmacology and a PhD in Genetic Engineering/Neuroscience, both from Cambridge University, UK. Dr. Lo is also the Chairman of Junior Achievement Hong Kong (JAHK), the Hong Kong Chapter of one of the world’s largest education and youth-serving NGOs.
Dr. Mariana Kou is chairperson and CEO of Cinese International Group, a travel services group listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (ticker: 1620), with operations in Canada, the United States, and Mainland China. She also serves as an independent non-executive director at GMFIU:US and a board advisor to EDTXU:US and education ventures. Prior to this, she was CEO of Research Study Education Group and recently Head of China Education and HK Consumer Research at brokerage and investment group CLSA, where she was involved in 12 consumer and education IPOs. In 2020, she published her first book “Investing in Dragons: Education Industry and Capital Markets”; and has been keynote speakers and panelists at government and industry conferences as well as interviewed regularly by international media.
Dr. Kou was appointed Senator for China by the World Business Angels Investment Forum, an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in Jun 2020. She is the founder of Asia Education Society, a member of Pacific Basin Economic Council, and the founding co-lead of Columbia Venture Community’s Hong Kong chapter. She also sits on the board of Zonta Club of NTII.
Dr. Kou has earned her global executive doctor of education degree from the University of Southern California in 2023. She also holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a graduate of Stanford Innovation and Entrepreneurship certificate program. She received her BBA from the University of Notre Dame with magna cum laude and Raymond P. Kent Award. She is a CFA charterholder and a member of global business honor society Beta Gamma Sigma, economics honor society Omicron Delta Epsilon, and education honor society Kappa Delta Pi.
Peter is qualified as a certified public accountant in Hong Kong and Australia and works as a finance director for Mr. Samuel Tak Lee at the Lee Family Office. Mr. Lee is a philanthropist who has donated USD 118 million and HKD 73 million to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Diocesan Boys’ School, respectively. The Lee Family Office holds a sizeable property portfolio in Hong Kong, London and Geneva, currently valued at not less than USD 3.4 billion in total. Peter assisted the Lee Family Office in the acquisition of the Langham Estate in London in 1994 and has monitored a few redevelopment projects over the years. He has been working for the Lee Family Office for over two decades and holds one of senior executive posts. Peter has also served on the badminton sub-committee of Craigengower Cricket Club since 2012.