Congratulations to our new teachers
The Master would like to congratulate the following staff members for being newly appointed to the class teacher roles for the next academic year. They bring a wealth of experience that will enhance the knowledge, understanding and wellbeing of all pupils at Wellington College International Hangzhou.
English Teacher
For six years, Mr Stephen Edwards has been a qualified teacher with a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) from Edith Cowan University. Initially, he taught in various contexts, including university bridging courses, study tours, and supply teaching in public and private schools, before moving into international education in China. Over the past four years, he has taught at a leading bilingual school in Ningbo, holding the positions of the secondary English teacher of language and novel studies, IGCSE First and Second Language (CIE) teacher, Head of Year for grades 9, 11 and 12, Assistant Head of English, Lead Practitioner and Head of Senior English. He has taught students in all year groups and proficiency levels, including students with special needs. He thoroughly enjoys the challenges of instructing students at all starting points and watching them progress over time.
Stephen is a firm believer in collective teacher efficacy. He has led whole-school staff development by delivering the Teaching ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms (TESMC) and Teaching in English in Multilingual Classrooms (TEMC) courses. Stephen has also facilitated informal teacher development such as "Sharing Best Practice" and targeted training sessions dealing with cognitivism, instructional strategies, cooperative learning, assessment for learning and classroom management.
Stephen enjoys taking opportunities to extend the learning of students outside the classroom. One particular interest is bridging the gap between sixth form and university. Accordingly, he has delivered university preparation seminars covering vital skills such as paraphrasing, summarising and referencing. He has also led public speaking and World Scholar's Cup ECAs. In his spare time, Stephen likes taking long walks, listening to podcasts, and playing with his baby daughter and two older children.
Drama Teacher
Ms Karlien van der Colff completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, majoring in Theatre script writing and stage acting.
Her interest in languages and performance arts started at a young age, and this, together with a keen interest in other cultures, inspired her to travel the world and work as an educator.
She has had the pleasure of working as an EAL and Drama educator in Taiwan, Argentina, and South Africa. She decided to complete her PGCEi through the University of Nottingham and join the international schooling industry in China.
Karlien has been in China for six years, where she has been teaching at international schools in Beijing and Qingdao. Here she held the roles of Drama teacher and head of department, KS3 and IGCSE curriculum developer, director of whole school productions and group showcases, and EAL teacher and support.
She will be teaching Drama years 1- 9 and IGCSE Drama at WCIH. She is thrilled to join the Wellington team to explore the wonderful world of theatre with the students and discover the scenery of Hangzhou.
Aside from all things connected to performance arts and languages, Karlien loves cooking and exploring the outdoors.
Art Teacher
Ms. Jenney is a passionate art and design teacher who encourages her students to explore their interests by exposing them to many diverse art forms. She believes that by offering a broad range of experiences and projects, students will find a means to express themselves in a way that speaks to them as individuals. Ms. Jenney has been working in education for more than 12 years. She has taught in the United States of America, South Korea, Thailand, and China. During this time, she has taught numerous subjects, including the following: English Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Science, and finally, Visual Arts. In addition, she is experienced in multiple curriculums: International Baccalaureate (MYP and PYP), British Colombia, AERO American Standards and AP Art, and the Chinese National Curriculum.
Lindsay dual majored at Iowa State University and received two Bachelor’s of Science: Fine Arts and Apparel Manufacturing and Design. She completed her Teaching License through the University of West Florida and acquired her QTS. Her strengths are in various forms of painting and fashion design. She comes from Peking University Experimental School in Jiaxing, where she began a tradition of art exhibitions and public displays. Before Jiaxing, she taught Visual Art from ages 3 to 18 at Georgia School of Ningbo and coached the school’s first competitive debate team. Her interests vary significantly from saltwater reef keeping to snowboarding and softball. She is joined by her husband, Arif, and her two little boys, Arden and Ascher, that keep her very busy.
Class Teacher
As a fully qualified primary school teacher from the United Kingdom, Andrew has been teaching for five years, working at schools in England, China and the Middle East. He is passionate about education and has gained a variety of valuable experiences in his career to date, which includes teaching English as a second language, attaining an outstanding grade against the teaching standards upon qualification in the UK, leading and organising inspirational school house events, and running highly engaging co-curricular activities.
Having previously taught in China, Andrew enjoyed his experience so much that he wanted to return and delve deeper into one of the richest cultures on Earth while developing his career as an educator at a world-renowned institution such as Wellington College International Hangzhou. Believing in the need for an inclusive classroom environment, Andrew works hard to ensure that all of his pupils feel comfortable and confident enough to make the mistakes necessary for growth. He looks forward to collaborating with parents to support children in meeting their aspirations, where he realises the importance of keeping a clear line of communication between teachers and parents to ensure pupil progress.
Andrew enjoys keeping fit in his spare time and likes to push himself to the limit in endurance sports such as long-distance running.
Class Teacher
Jaki’s teaching career started during her post-university travels around Asia, where she was offered a position as an EAL Primary teacher in Hat Yai, Thailand. Having discovered a love of teaching, Jaki returned to her hometown of Southampton in England to undertake a CERT Tesol course and soon after became an English as a Second Language teacher for adults and children. Here, Jaki developed her love for teaching and decided to apply for a PGCE, which she completed in 2017 at Winchester University.
Jaki completed her NQT year at an inner-city school but had the travelling bug and decided to take the step into international education. Jaki returned to Thailand for two years as a Key Stage 1 teacher, which she enjoyed immensely and then moved to Qatar to develop herself further as the English Subject Leader for Primary. There she helped develop a curriculum to improve the standard of English across the school, an achievement of which she is incredibly proud.
In her downtime, Jaki enjoys music in all its forms, whether singing, playing instruments, producing or listening to live music. Where she is, music is not far behind.
Jaki is a passionate educator who believes the relationships built inside a classroom are at the forefront of learning. Always striving to be her best, she is excited to join the Wellington team and is keen to start unlocking children’s potential.
Class Teacher
Born and raised in South London – Yash is a professional, caring, and hardworking primary school teacher. He holds a BA Hons degree in History from the University of Wales and, in 2019, completed his PGCE with the University of Sunderland.
After graduating, Yash initially taught English as a foreign language in China before identifying that this was his career path. He has continued to grow as an educator by spending the past two years as a Homeroom Teacher within the International Division at a top IB PYP school in Shanghai.
Yash has developed a strong understanding of international education in the past few years and is dedicated to ensuring each child progresses academically and personally. He is now looking to develop his knowledge of the British Curriculum. Yash will complete the final stages of his formal teacher training by undertaking the highly recognised TES ‘Straight to Teaching’ Programme whilst at Wellington College International Hangzhou.
Yash has always believed in pupils taking responsibility for their learning. He fosters pupils to understand and develop their social skills, recognises their talents, and provides pupils with the drive to make positive and genuine decisions.
Outside of school, Yash enjoys participating in different sports and activities. In his youth, he played football and cricket competitively. Once in Hangzhou, he hopes to continue road cycling, maintain regular gym exercise, travel, and explore new places.
Yash is excited and thrilled to be joining Wellington College International Hangzhou, where he will endeavour to give his best to the Wellington Community.
Class Teacher
After graduating from Reading University with a first-class degree in Primary Education with a Mathematics specialism, Will began his teaching career at a primary school in Wokingham (near London). Since then, Will has gained a wealth of experience as a Year 5 teacher during his NQT year and a Year 6 teacher for the following three years. From preparing his class for the SATs exams to planning and leading the residential trip, Will has gained incredible experience in both the academic and pastoral side of being a teacher. Furthermore, Will’s role as the Mathematics curriculum leader of his school for the past three years has enabled him to model and understand outstanding mathematics teaching and contribute to his pupils’ accelerated progression.
Class Teacher
Kim was raised and educated in Kingston and New Malden, mainly within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. As a child, she was richly exposed to Music as a concertmaster in her school orchestra, string quartet, and lead pianist in the school Jazz band. She performed with Thames Youth Orchestra (TYO)
Growing up, she travelled all around Europe at the given opportunity to improve her historical knowledge of natural settings and cultures through educational travel.
She started her teaching career while completing her Bachelor's degree in Education, Culture and Society at Goldsmith, the University of London. She taught common entrance exams for ages 7+ to 13+ in Maths and taught Violin up to Grade 5. She also had the opportunity to voluntarily assist the primary school SEN lead in Malden Manor with their play-based therapy session and EAL group interventions until she started her PGCE at Kingston University.
After obtaining QTS, she had the opportunity to work with Year 2 in Hounslow and Montessori Nursery, teaching the EYSFS National curriculum in Surbiton, before flying over to South Korea to teach in a Cambridge credited British school for three years. She was Year 3 and 5 Maths and Science Specialist and Year 4 Class Teacher.
Kim is a driven, reflective and creative lifelong learner passionate about education and the well-being of students, parents and staff. During her free time, she likes to play her Violin, Piano and hon her skills in Tennis, Ice-Skating, Martial Art, Boxing, Singing and Drawing.
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