Academic Staff

Teachers for the 2010 - 2011 School Year:

My name is Caroline Linton. I was born in France where I spent all my childhood. At the age of 19 I moved to England to teach French to Adults. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to train to become a Primary teacher. I attended university in London at first then in Canterbury where I studied Early Years education before completing my PGCE with primary Foreign Languages as a specialism. I have been teaching in Kent, England for 5 years. My experience has been mainly in the Foundation Stage and KS1 but I have also taught in KS2 which I feel has provided me with a greater understanding of the curriculum, broadening the skills and knowledge the children are experiencing through their learning life in primary education.

Wholeheartedly teaching has become my calling. To motivate children to produce there best and extend their own personal limits is challenging and above all entirely rewarding. Having a child of my own has helped me grasp the importance of parent, school and child to work together to create an exciting learning environment which is creative, exciting and truly engaging.

Being bilingual has encouraged me to develop a real passion for languages. At my previous school, I was responsible for developing the teaching and learning of Modern foreign languages. The children had the opportunity to learn French, Spanish, Cantonese and German. It really helped them to get a better awareness of intercultural understanding and appreciation of their own culture. I feel it is an important and exciting part of the curriculum. I can’t wait to carry this on at Saigon Star!

I am very much looking forward to start working at Saigon Star this year and we are excited about starting a new life in Vietnam.

My name is Deirdre Carney and I currently live in the Highlands of Scotland. I was brought up in Ireland and Birmingham, an industrial city in the English Midlands. I did a B.A. in French at London University. Before becoming a Primary teacher I worked as a civil servant and as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language.

I spent ten years working in Italy and have also taught English in international language schools in Hastings on the south coast of England and in Edinburgh before re-training as a Primary Teacher at Edinburgh University. Since then, I have worked in Primary Schools in the Western Isles and in Highland Region. The schools have ranged from a one-teacher school on a remote island to a primary school with over a hundred pupils. I have also worked as a Head Teacher with overall responsibility for school management and curriculum development.

I get great satisfaction from my work and particularly enjoy teaching infants. I love seeing their enthusiasm and their early progress across the curriculum. I work hard to ensure that my classroom is bright and welcoming and to promote a happy, co-operative and productive atmosphere.

When I look back on my own time at school, I find it is the "highlights," such as shows, parties and trips that I remember best. Throughout my teaching career, I have derived great pleasure from organising school productions, community and fund-raising events and day and residential outdoor trips, which I think can offer active learning at its best.

In my spare time, I am an avid reader and an enthusiastic self-taught pianist - never likely to win any prizes, I'm afraid! I enjoy cooking, the cinema and theatre, but when time allows I love to pack my rucksack and go for long walks in the countryside.

Now that my own children are living independently, I am looking forward to working overseas once again. I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work in the Saigon Star Primary School and hope to meet you soon.

My name is Victoria Brookes. I grew up and went to school in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. I moved to Leeds to study for my Public Relations degree and stayed there for my PGCE.

I have worked as a primary school teacher for the last 5 years, initially in Leeds and Bradford, and for the last 3 years in Tower Hamlets, a borough of Central London. I originally became a teacher as I wanted a challenging and creative career, where no 2 days are the same. I enjoy making my classroom safe and stimulating for the children where they can be creative and learn. Being Art co-ordinator at my previous school I have been involved in developing a ‘creative partnership’, where pupils and parents have worked together to create art work which has been exhibited in school and in the local community. I have worked at ensuring that art is not a ‘stand alone’ subject and have created links with other subjects to give project more meaning.

I am looking forward to being part of the community of children, parents and staff at Saigon Star and I am excited about exploring a new way of life in Vietnam.

My name is Sam Board and I am from a seaside town called Eastbourne on the southern coast of England.

Whilst studying a Political Science BA at The University of Birmingham I volunteered at a local Primary School which confirmed my love of working with and teaching children. Making a difference to children’s lives, learning and personal welfare is something that I am passionate about and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to do this at Saigon Star International School.

Once I had graduated from Birmingham University, I moved to Newcastle where I completed my PGCE at The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Upon completion in 2007 I accepted a job at an inner city primary school in Stockwell, London, at which I have now been teaching for three years. My experience thus far has been in teaching Upper Key Stage Two which I love because of the breadth of subject knowledge required. I have also been Art and Technology subject leader for two years, in which I have introduced and developed a new scheme of work across both Key Stages One and Two.

I am particularly interested in the ways in which Science can be taught and assessed and this has been the focus of my MA Dissertation which I am due to complete in August 2010. I am passionate about hockey and cricket and look forward to running after school clubs for both of these sports if the opportunity arises. I am looking forward to being a part of the Saigon Star family in August 2010 and excited about the prospect of living in a city as vibrant as Ho Chi Minh.

My name is Michael Bagshaw. I am from Sheffield in the north of England. I also lived in Manchester for 6 years before living in London for 4 years. I studied a BA Honours in History in Manchester before completing a PGCE in London. I worked in a school in the London borough of Redbridge for 3 years before joining the team at Saigon Star.

I had an ambition to be a Primary school teacher for many years and helped out in a school where my sister worked in Sheffield during my years as a student. I really enjoy building a strong relationship with my class as I feel this gives the children an environment in which they enjoy learning. I have already got a wealth of great memories from my 4 years as a teacher and have taken great pleasure in seeing the children succeed.

I enjoy many teaching areas. In particular I have a great liking for Literacy and enjoy using a range of techniques, such as role play, to engage the children. I have been involved in a variety of extra curricular clubs in addition to running the school council. It was great to see the children so passionate about the running of the school.

I am very much looking forward to the beginning of the new school year at Saigon Star International School.

My name is Sherley Detuya Villa. I am from the Philippines. I have a Bachelors Degree in Education and English. I have over 8 years experience teaching children in both the Philippines and Vietnam. I have had many opportunities to teach on Montessori programmes.

I became a teacher because of my desire to develop a positive learning experience and attitude towards education in young minds.

I will be working closely with the other teachers to develop our literacy programme. I will be helping run the Summer Programme and in the new school year, I will be taking over the Nursery 1 Class.