Congratulations on your new role as Principal. Can you share a bit about your journey within our school and what this promotion means to you personally and professionally?
Firstly, Thank you.
Before moving to China in 2022, I was a Headteacher in a large Secondary school in the UK, so I was keen to bring my school leadership expertise into the sphere of International Education. Becoming the Head of Secondary at BSG enabled me to do just that; working with some of the most focused and determined students and parents I have ever met, and working with a mosaic of staff with a whole wealth of international schools experience.
The promotion to Principal now means I get to work across the whole school, with an even greater reach and influence to more students and their parents, and with more staff (academic and administrative) to strategically lead BSG into the exciting future.
Personally, I feel hugely honoured, and very proud and privileged that I have been entrusted to lead BSG as its fourth Principal, and its first female Principal, so I will work tirelessly and do my upmost to make it a great success.
As someone who knows the school well from the inside, what are the key strengths of our school community that you hope to build upon?
The people: people matter. Our stakeholders students, staff, parents, and wider community.
Firstly, we have students who commit to BSG, because they know we provide a first-class education and we have a deep legacy, that if you work hard in academics and engage fully in our outstanding enrichment opportunities, you will reach the world’s best universities.
Secondly, the staff. We have an academic team who are ‘masters of their craft’ and ‘experts in their fields’, they are key to BSG’s work and their expertise and positive wellbeing will continue to be a focus through continued professional learning. Our administrative team, care deeply about the school and ensure they provide ‘often behind the scenes’ expertise to ensure BSG runs as a highly functioning organisation.
The input of so many of our parents into the life of the school is hugely valued and appreciated; they bring so much support and care, alongside honest feedback.
Finally, our wider stakeholders, it is vital that a school links with its local community and through our relationships with local businesses and services we enhance our school reach even further.
My hope is to build upon and deepen these relationships and draw upon all stakeholders of BSG to continue our journey and legacy of Excellence.
What is your leadership style, and how do you plan to work with staff, students, and parents to continue growing the school’s culture and academic standards?
My leadership style is based on Radical Candor. Stakeholders know that because I care deeply, I will challenge directly.
Honesty and integrity run through my very core, and I will use these traits to make the best decisions for BSG and our continued success.
I am invitational and inclusive, so I encourage all stakeholders to be part of the journey and add value to our school mosaic.
Finally, I am relentless, second best is not good enough! BSG students and their parents, BSG staff and our wider community, deserve the best. A culture of family, belonging and togetherness wraps around the first-class academic standards and outstanding Enrichment at all levels throughout the school. I will work tirelessly to make it happen.
What is your vision for the school over the next few years? Are there specific areas you’re looking to improve, innovate, or expand?
My initial work with staff during INSET has been to recognise that we are already a very, very good school, with excellent practice throughout; so rather than bringing in a new initiative at the start of this year, I’ve chosen to use the ‘Aggregation of Marginal Gains’ approach to work with this high performing team. We will review each component part of our school, our practice, and our output, and then focus on how we can make marginal gains in each area.
Change, improvement and innovation are all inevitable, when we methodically reflect and review our practice, component by component, and identify how we can move from very, very good practice, into world-class performance.
How do you plan to ensure students feel supported both academically and emotionally in their learning journey here?
At BSG, we are a family, and I will remind every single student of their place in our family.
We are all unique, so I will ensure that we are fully inclusive, and that all students know that they matter, and they belong with us.
I will ensure students know that we are here to teach them, support them, guide them, motivate them, inspire them and protect them. However, I will assure them that they will make mistakes, but mistakes are part of learning, so we will be here to pick them up and set them back on the right track, when needed.
Additionally, I will ensure that school leaders and teachers are well trained practitioners who will lead students on their academic journey with experience, expertise and a deep care in all phases of school.
How do you see the role of parents and the broader community in supporting the school’s mission and daily life?
Parents and the broader community play a vital role in school, and it is essential they feel connected to BSG, with the same sense of belonging as we want for our students.
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with all parents throughout the year, as they add great value to our school community.
Most Secondary parents already know me well and know that they can come and discuss any matters they want with me, and I will always do my utmost to ensure we find positive outcomes. I now hope to quickly develop this working relationship with parents for students across all phases of the school.
I will encourage parent’s involvement in BSG; I will applaud parent’s commitment to BSG; I will value parent’s honesty with me.
Likewise with our broader community - business, industry, consulates, chambers etc; They add a great depth and richness to our work at BSG which set us apart from the rest, so I value our connections and hope to expand our reach further and wider in the future.
What message would you like to share with our students as they start a new school year under your leadership?
I am so honoured and privileged to be your Principal
Be Courageous, Be Brave, Be yourself, and Be Proud because you are a BSG Rhino.
Once a Rhino, Always a Rhino!
