Meet Our Senior Leaders: Kara Lebihan

In-depth profile of Kara Lebihan, Head of Primary School

Meet Our Teachers Questionnaire:

Meet Kara Lebihan, the DCIS Head of Primary School. Kara was brought up in Sunderland in the UK and has lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and China. She got her BA hons and PGCE from Newcastle Upon Tyne University and has re-joined DCIS from The British School in Beijing where she was the Deputy Head.

Kara answers some of our questions below about being a part of the Nord Anglia family.

1. What was your first reaction when you first arrived in Singapore? 
I can’t quite remember as my first visit was in 1995. I must have liked it though; since then I have moved here, moved away and come back again!

2. What is the best thing about being a teacher?
I love it when you see the lights come on in a child’s eyes. It’s a rewarding and sometimes a long awaited moment.

3. What is the most challenging thing about being a teacher?
The work/home balance. It can be tricky at times. 

4. What sort of advice can you give to parents moving to a new city with children?
People will tell you that children are resilient, don’t worry about them, they will make friends and will be fine. I don’t fully agree with that, at least not straight away – they didn’t make the choice to move, they had it thrust upon them, no matter how positively it was done. In actual fact they are real people with feelings who may feel apprehensive, worried and shaken up. They will adjust but it will take time – so give them that time. 

5. Why did you choose Nord Anglia Education to expand your career?
It was a great opportunity for us, as a family, to return to Singapore. There was something in it for all of us, so we jumped at it.

6. Recommend the best place for families to visit in your city. 
I love Little India – we spend hours exploring the place and always top it off with some great food. 

7. Your one advice for students moving/living abroad.
Enjoy it – you could be stuck in Sunderland!

8. What is one lesson you want your students to take away with them at the end of the year? 
It’s your one chance so make the most of it.

9. Your one word of advice for parents moving/living abroad? 
Again: enjoy it – you could be stuck in Sunderland!

10. Why did you become an educator? 
I thought I would be good at it and I was – and still am. 

11. Your favourite quote when it comes to education. 
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Margaret Mead

12. What do you do when you get homesick?
Call home.