Our Team
Our teaching staff is recruited from all over the world.
All our teachers have degrees / higher degrees and teaching certifications
from well-established higher education institutions.
We also look for teachers who are dynamic, enthusiastic, caring, internationally minded and lifelong learners. We expect our staff to be totally committed to doing their very best in the interests of all our students and our school.
Our teaching staff is complemented by teacher assistants who support student learning throughout the curriculum. A full-time qualified Nurse is available to provide medical care for students when required.
- Senior Leadership
- Early Childhood
- Primary School
- Secondary School
- Specialist Teachers
- Additional Needs
- Admissions & Marketing
- Support Staff
Mark Renie
Mark Renie
Designation
Head of School
Mark has a BA in Sociology and Labour Studies from York University, a PGCE from Sunderland University, and an MEd in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development from the University of Toronto. More recently, he received his Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
Mark has over 20 years of experience in education, several of which have been in leadership positions in international schools in South East Asia and China. Through his roles as an educator and school leader, he has deep knowledge of developing and implementing curricula ranging from the IB PYP and IB DP to the National Curriculum of England, the Cambridge IGCSE and and the Shanghai Formed Curriculum.
Mark believes that the way forward in education is to ensure that the learning approach is student-centred, engaging and experiential, including the use of technology. As a leader, he envisions a collaborative process for the entire staff, which empowers everyone to co-create a learning ethos where students can thrive and attain their true potential.
Jasween Gill
Jasween Gill
Designation
Admissions & Communications Director
Originally from the UK, Jasween joined OWIS when the school had only 120 students. What drove Jasween to OWIS was seeing the school place children first, championing open communication and having such strong core values – all of which remain true to this day.
Karel van der Linden
Head of Early Childhood & Primary School
Karel van der Linden
Designation
Head of Early Childhood & Primary School
Half-Dutch and half-Thai by origin, Karel grew up in the UK. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the UK, and he has also completed a Postgraduate Course in Primary Education, provided by the West London Partnership. He has received extensive training in the IB approach as well as in child safety. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Educational Leadership online at the University of Leicester.
Karel has over 17 years of experience in teaching and school leadership in schools in the UK and at an international school in Bangkok. He entered the teaching profession by what he calls an accident – he joined a school to get some work experience right after college and never looked back after that.
Karel believes children learn best when they are seen, heard and valued. He encourages students to take ownership of their learning and actively participate in collaborative and hands-on activities.
Having recently relocated to Singapore to lead OWIS’ Primary School, Karel is looking forward to getting to know our diverse school community. Aside from work, he enjoys spending time with his baby daughter, collecting vinyl records, playing video games, and reading comic books and anime.
Dr Tracy Ghomashchian
Dr Tracy Ghomashchian
Designation
Head of Secondary School
Tracy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Graphics Technology from Glasgow Caledonian University, and then completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Management & Leadership from University of Strathclyde, UK. Tracy has also earned her Doctorate in Education from The University of Dundee, UK, specialising in supporting schools to embed high-quality learning and teaching with technology.
Tracy embarked on her career in education as a teacher of Design Technology in Scotland. She then transitioned into school leadership and managed art, design and creative arts departments, before moving up to leading Secondary School. She has worked for a number of years in international schools in Malaysia and China.
At OWIS, she looks forward to using her rich experience in school leadership to create outstanding academic standards across the school and nurture our school values of compassion, diversity and inclusivity.
Angelo Govender
Angelo Govender
Designation
Senior Coordinator – Teaching and Learning, Secondary School
Angelo is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a degree in Master of Arts in Education from Sheffield Hallam University, Adv Certificate in Education (Technology) and National Professional Diploma in Education from North-West University, International Diploma in Computer Electronics, hardware and Network Engineering from NCC Training College and Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers from Cambridge University.
Angelo’s passion is to share his knowledge with the future leaders of tomorrow. His goal is to create knowledgeable, caring students who will one day go out into the world and make a positive difference in the lives of those they are surrounded by and in the communities surrounding them.
Angelo decided to become a teacher so that he could make a difference and inspire young people to make good life choices.
Angelo looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with those he is privileged to be working with and he plans to continue to share his passion for science and technology with his students. Further to this, he aims to instil and develop key core values such as kindness, compassion and empathy that will always keep students grounded.
Angelo loves the ocean and enjoys visiting islands!
Catherine Adler
Catherine Adler
Designation
Senior Coordinator – Pastoral Care, Secondary School
Catherine, who we all know as Katie, was born and raised on the East Coast of Canada. She has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She then completed her Graduate Diploma in Education (Major in English, Minor in Humanities) from Edith Cowan University in Australia, and she spent the subsequent 15 years in the country garnering valuable experience as an English teacher, a Head of Department and other school leader roles.
Upon relocating with her family to Singapore, Katie was drawn to OWIS’ values of kindness and being “One with the World”. She believes every child is unique and should be given a chance to be understood – once they feel understood, children will bloom and display their talents in various ways.
Katie loves trying different cuisines from around the world and enjoys traveling.
Rashmi Tourani
Senior Coordinator – Teaching and Learning, Early Childhood & Primary School
Rashmi Tourani
Designation
Senior Coordinator – Teaching and Learning, Early Childhood & Primary School
Rashmi Tourani has a passion for words. She earned her Bachelor’s in English from the City University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Hong Kong, and Master’s Degree in Literary Arts from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Rashmi’s teaching experience spans over six years at prestigious international schools. Her expertise includes Secondary and Primary English study levels.
Children benefit from an effective learning environment that stimulates and nurtures individual growth. This is where Rashmi steps in to help students grow. She advocates excellence in communication and encourages students to build lasting relationships and a passion for life-long learning.
This is why she chose to join OWIS. She believes in the OWIS approach to learning and believes the individual study methods employed in our curriculum enable students to achieve the highest standards possible. Collaboration is key to retaining information, and the group study programmes help nurture this in young children.
Rashmi loves exploring new countries, cultures, and cuisines, as long as the menu doesn’t include seafood. An avid fitness guru, Rashmi loves dancing and yoga. Her love for words is evident in her reading style. When not teaching or exercising, you will find Rashmi reading her favourite historical novel.
Prem Kumar Rajoo
Senior Coordinator – Pastoral Care, Early Childhood & Primary School
Prem Kumar Rajoo
Designation
Senior Coordinator – Pastoral Care, Early Childhood & Primary School
Kumar is a Singaporean who has been serving as an educator for the past 13 years. He holds a Diploma in Education from NIE, Singapore, and a Degree in Social Sciences (Counselling) as well. In his time as a teacher, he has received the Caring Teacher Award and was a finalist for the MOE President Award for Teachers. He has held several roles in school leadership in both MOE and international schools.
Kumar believes that every student can learn, and it is the job of every teacher to guide students toward being their best selves. By helping students take ownership of their learning, children learn to be independent and confident.
Kumar was inspired to become a teacher by his former teachers, who showed kindness towards students and passion for making a difference in the lives of others. At OWIS, he looks forward to journeying with different individuals whilst imparting and co-constructing knowledge.
Kumar enjoys spending time with his children, exercising, and being out at the beach with his family in his free time.
Nur Syahdiqin Ismail
IB PYP Coordinator
Nur Syahdiqin Ismail
Designation
IB PYP Coordinator, OWIS Nanyang
Syah is a Singaporean, but she was born in Japan. Her upbringing in four countries nurtured her adaptable, cosmopolitan nature and open mindset. Being an international school student who did the IB DP spurred Syah’s passion for the IB curriculum. This led her to obtain her Master of International Education from the University of Melbourne, specialising in the Primary Years Programme. She also holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care from Singapore Polytechnic and a Diploma in Educational Studies from College of Teachers (UK).
Over the course of her career, Syah has taught various curricula, including the UK’s EYFS, Reggio-Emilia approach and the Singapore NEL framework. She has over 10 years of preschool and elementary level teaching experience in international and local school settings. Syah has also worked with English as Additional/Second Language learners and is familiar with their unique needs in the classroom.
Syah strongly advocates for learner-centric curricula that encourage self efficacy and self regulation, and which allow children to uncover their natural abilities, talents and interests. She constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and skills through personal and professional initiatives.
Nur Suhaili (Lyn) Ghapar
Early Childhood Coordinator & Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Nur Suhaili (Lyn) Ghapar
Designation
Early Childhood Coordinator & Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Lyn is originally from Singapore. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education – Teaching from Seed Institute.
Lyn has a lot of experience working with young children and loves her job. She sees all the children she works with as beautiful individuals and is happy to see them learning through play and through social bonding. She believes in creating a lifelong love of learning in her students and seeing students develop on all levels.
In her free time, Lyn loves watching movies and cooking.
Sanhita Roy
IB Diploma Programme Coordinator
Sanhita Roy
Designation
IB Diploma Programme Coordinator
Sanhita hails from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, in India. She holds a Master’s Degree in Geography from Banaras Hindu University and Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from Calcutta University and an IB DP CAT1 Training for Geography Certificate from IB.
Sanhita has several years of experience teaching secondary students. She has also been a level coordinator for senior grades and head of the exam department previously in another school.
Sanhita believes that all students are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. In other words, a safe environment where they can share their ideas and take risks. After covering her insights on various topics, she frequently facilitates discussion among the students to help them understand each other’s perspectives.
Sanhita wishes to make a difference in as many students’ lives as possible through academic values and important life lessons.
Her favourite food is Biriyani and she loves music and dancing!
Early Childhood 1
Shey Ann Asuncion
Early Childhood 1 Teacher
Shey Ann Asuncion
Designation
Early Childhood 1 Teacher
Shey Ann is from the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education. She has also earned her Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning.
Shey Ann has five years of experience teaching young children at the preschool level in both the Philippines and in Singapore. She believes in inculcating the core values of early childhood education through classroom activities and programmes. She is also skilled in setting up a learning environment that is conducive to developing curiosity and inquisitiveness in young children.
In her free time, Shey Ann enjoys going for a massage, doing yoga, visiting cafes and having fun in an amusement park every once in a while.
Early Childhood 2
Liv Coles
Early Childhood 2 Teacher
Liv Coles
Designation
Early Childhood 2 Teacher
Liv is originally from the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Cum Laude) in Elementary Education (Specialised in Early Childhood) from Leyte Normal University.
Liv has been teaching for more than ten years and has experience teaching in international schools. She believes that each child is unique and that learning should cater to each child’s readiness and potential.
As an educator, she is keen to develop a love for learning among her students. Her mother is a retired teacher and her passion and love towards her students became Liv’s inspiration for teaching. Liv believes that kindness is best taught by example and that when she acts with kindness towards her students and the other people around her, her pupils will follow the same path.
When not spending time with her pupils, Liv likes to paint and free dive! She also loves Thai food.
Kristin Mooney
Early Childhood 2 Teacher
Kristin Mooney
Designation
Early Childhood 2 Teacher
Kristin is a native of Canada. She earned a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia, a Diploma in Literacy Studies from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Education with a focus on elementary from the University of Victoria. She has five years of experience teaching multilingual primary-aged students in Canada and South Korea.
Kristin believes in maintaining warm and trusting relationships with her students. She cares about how children feel about themselves as individuals, friends and learners, as well as their sense of belonging. She hopes that students find the classroom to be an inviting and engaging learning environment that fosters curiosity and self-confidence.
At OWIS, Kristin is looking forward to getting to know the students and learning with them every day. Students describe her as kind, open-minded and creative. She believes that by implementing an inquiry-based approach, she can foster curiosity and self-confidence in her students, encouraging them to take great pride in their learning.
Kristin enjoys hiking, running, yoga, baking and ceramics in her spare time. She moved to Singapore last year with her husband and is enjoying the sunshine.
Early Childhood 3
Siti Sahra Samsudin
Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Siti Sahra Samsudin
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Sahra grew up on the sunny island of Singapore and graduated with a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from SEED Institute.
Sahra believes that every child is a unique individual who will learn and grow at their own pace. She likes to be known as a fun and caring teacher, and she aspires to help and support all her students. She starts every day hoping that she can make a difference for her students by providing a safe, stimulating environment that is rich with love and care.
As a teacher, she loves to witness her students’ achievements and developments as they take place. It gives her a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and fulfilment in her role in the classroom. She also loves to be recognised and acknowledged by former students because this shows how she made an impact and a difference in their lives.
In her free time, she loves to explore nature and keep herself fit.
Honeylyn Fernandez
Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Honeylyn Fernandez
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teacher
Honeylyn is from the Philippines, and she moved to Singapore in July 2022 for her new adventure at OWIS. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology from Mindanao State University, but while starting her Masters in the same subject, she discovered her love for teaching young children when she was volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her church. She decided to change track in her career and earned a Professional Teaching Certification from the University of Philippines. She is currently studying for her Masters in Language and Literacy Education.
Honeylyn is in her twelfth year as an educator, and has experience teaching the National Curriculum of England, the IB PYP and English as a Second Language.
Honeylyn is a firm believer in nurturing the growth mindset, resilience and self-efficacy through teaching. She is of the view that, sometimes, children just need someone to believe in them before they start believing in themselves. That’s one of the many roles teachers can play.
In her free time, she enjoys life coaching, nature walks, baking, and swimming.
Early Childhood Teaching Assistants
Norahshahira Rahmat
Norahshahira Rahmat
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant
Putri Mansor
Putri Mansor
Designation
Early Childhood 1 Teaching Assistant
Evelyn Chew
Evelyn Chew
Designation
Early Childhood 2 Teaching Assistant
Nur Shahirah Saharan (Sasha)
Early Childhood 2 Teaching Assistant
Nur Shahirah Saharan (Sasha)
Designation
Early Childhood 2 Teaching Assistant
Nurlyana Abdullah
Nurlyana Abdullah
Designation
Early Childhood 3 Teaching Assistant