Paul commenced as Head of School at ISA Science City International School in July 2022. Having worked in the field of international education for more than 35 years, including 15 years at the school principal level, he has led a variety of schools to success. Previously, he served as the Education Director for the Yew Chung Education Foundation.
Before that, he also served as Executive Principal at Yew Wah International School Beijing, and Principal of the prestigious Australian International School in Indonesia. His extensive educational and management experiences in different regions including Australia, Thailand, Japan and PNG have afforded him a global perspective and cultural agility.
Additionally, Paul gained his master’s degree of Education in Leadership at Queensland University of Technology and Business Administration in Human Resources at Australian Institute of Business.
Lee Sanders
Deputy Head of School
Mr. Lee Sanders brings with him a wealth of experience in leading education as well as a strong commitment to developing the whole child. Lee has served as a teacher and leader for over 20 years having taught in state, selective and private education in the UK, before moving to Shanghai in 2014. He joined YK Pao School and was instrumental in growing the High School programme from scratch. From IB authorization to the first five-year review, the High School has produced students of exceptional quality with world top 10 ranked university admissions from each graduating class. The school was recognized as the number one school in China by Hurun rankings three years out of first four years in which he was there. Lee holds degrees in Science education and an MBA in international education and teaches Physics and TOK when time permits!
Tina Lin
Head of Operations
Tina graduated from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and the University of Leuven in Belgium, with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education.With 20 years of experience in international education, served in a management position at Utahloy International School Guangzhou. She joined ISA in 2013 as the founding Deputy Head of School of ISA Tianhe; in 2018, she became Head of School of the International Program of Beststudy Education Group. Has extensive management experiences at international schools, with an insight into the trends of international education in China. She also has a deep understanding of educational theory and practice, as well as accreditation of courses offered in international schools.Serves as the Operations Director of ISA International Education Group. She will drive better allocation of resources to support development of ISASC.
Dean Cummins
Head of Secondary
Mr Dean Cummins is commencing as Head of Secondary at ISASC in August 2023. He holds a Master of Education degree in Global Learning and has more than 8 years of experience at the Senior Executive Leadership level. He believes that helping young people reach their potential is central to what makes a community strong. Dean has taught across Australia, Europe and the UK and is a passionate educational leader who aims to not only facilitate opportunities for young people to grow but have an impact on their thinking and future pathways. With 20+ years of experience in senior schooling including careers counselling, he can effectively share his knowledge and experience to support all stakeholders alike to flourish as members of our global community. A specialist in Economics, Business, and Individuals and Societies, he holds a passion for quality teaching through applied, authentic contexts that focusses on engaging the individual to reach their potential. He looks forward to sharing and extending his knowledge and experiences, collaborating in a varied and diverse community, and meeting the needs of the ISA Science City International School community.
Radha Samikannu
Deputy Principal Secondary – Pastoral
Radha has more than 10 years of teaching experience in Singapore and Indonesia. She focuses on developing both academic and social-emotional aspects of her students as her teaching philosophy is to teach the ‘whole’ child. Her main strength is curriculum planning where she is merges pedagogy with character development. With diplomas in primary and secondary teaching; and a degree in secondary teaching, Radha started her career in primary where she taught English, mathematics and social studies. She eventually specialised in teaching iGCSE and IBDP English. In addition to her teaching, Radha was the Head of Department of Student Development in Indonesia.
Timothy Noblett
Deputy Principal Secondary – Teaching & Learning
Mr Tim Noblett hails from Melbourne, Australia. He has a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (History and Political Science) from Monash University. He joins ISA Science City as Deputy Principal of Secondary - Teaching & Learning. Tim has over a decade of teaching and leadership experience in international education in China, including roles as Head of Secondary and IBDP Coordination. Tim is an experienced educator, particularly teaching exam courses in Geography and History. Tim has a passion for providing students with authentic learning experiences, including outside of the classroom opportunities.
Matthew Cox
Head of Elementary
Matthew brings more than 30 years’ experience of school leadership to ISA having led a series of world class, premium schools in China, Singapore, East Africa, Europe as well as in the UK. Matthew has led large and successful schools in Guangzhou, having previously lived and worked in China for six years. He was also Elementary School Principal of Antwerp International School and Principal of Middle School at the world- renowned United World College of South-East Asia.
Matthew is a strong academic leader with creativity and wisdom. He is excited to join ISA and aims to offer exceptional academic opportunities, care and individual attention to ISA students, and to play a part in maintaining our wonderful relationships throughout the entire school community.
Connie Chan
Early Years Principal
ISA Science City’s Early Years Principal, Connie, is one of its founding members. Having worked in the field of early childhood education for more than 30 years, she is an expert in the field. As well as her native Canada, Connie has worked in international schools in southeast Asia, including Hong Kong and Singapore. Before joining ISASC, Connie spent 14 years working as an Early Years Coordinator at an IB World School in Guangzhou. During her tenure there, she played a key role in the IB accreditation process. Connie graduated with an honours degree in Bachelor of Applied Science in Child Studies, concentrating on Early Childhood Education from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She is listed in the public registry of the College of Early Childhood Educators in Canada as a certified early childhood educator. To upgrade her skills in the Primary Years Programme, Connie attends IB workshops. A true advocate of Reggio Emelia’s world-renowned approach to early childhood, she believes in holistic development and child-centric philosophies. As a founding principal at ISA Science City, she is always eager to welcome parents to visit our Early Childhood Learning Centre (ECLC).
Rovanna Bawden
Head of Student Support Services
Rovanna comes from Australia and has worked extensively in other big international schools across six countries, most recently at the International School of Macao and the Western Academy of Beijing. She has a Master of Education in Inclusive Education and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling, and her expertise is in supporting families and students who require individual programming. At ISASC, she will develop the Student Support Team which will grow to include pastrol care, English as an Additional Language, Learning Support and Counselling services for students. She believes that ISASC will be a school where all students can be successful given the right conditions, and with individualized support, all students can reach and even exceed their full potential.
Meg Chen
University Guidance Counseling Coordinator
With more than 16 years of professional experience as a school-based counsellor, Meg offered professional college counselling services for more than five hundred students as the first school counselor in a local reputable U.S. curriculum high school.
She successfully guided students to be accepted by the world's top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Cambridge, and Oxford. She is an IACA-certified Advanced Career Advisor, a certified school counselor in 2011 by the College Board, and achieved an International College Advising Certificate awarded by the University of Pennsylvania. She is entitled an Outstanding Educator by the University of Chicago, 2018-2020.
Brayan Munoz
Head of Academic Unit
Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas, and a Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry with a Molecular Microbiology focus from Westminster College. Mr. Brayan Munoz has 10 years of teaching experience and 8 years of experience in school leadership, serving in multiple roles across various international and bilingual schools. Mr. Munoz served as the Executive Principal of Primary and Secondary School at the Hefei High-Tech Ivy Experimental School, and successfully led the founding of two international schools within two years. With extensive experience in school administration and student management, Mr. Munoz is known for his passion for education and his love for the students.
Sophia Androu-Erriah
Deputy Head of Elementary
Sophia serves as the Deputy Head of Elementary at ISA Science City. Sophia is originally from London, UK where she obtained her PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). She has worked across 3 continents, as both, an Early Years and Primary teacher, as well as, holding various leadership roles relating to department leadership, curriculum development and staff development in UK state schools, British international schools and bilingual schools. Sophia graduated from the University of Birmingham, UK, where she obtained her Bachelor degree (BSc) in Psychology, later completing her Masters degree (MSc) in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology and worked in the field of psychology before making a career change to the teaching profession.
In 2022, Sophia was awarded her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) by the Department for Education, UK. Her specialisms include, cognitive/emotional/social development in young children, developing curriculums that are accessible and contextually relevant, supporting students with English as an Additional Language (EAL), as well as, mentoring staff to reach their professional aspirations through a coaching approach. Sophia believes that all children should be given the opportunity to thrive along their own individual path and in a safe, secure and stimulating environment.
Annie Chew
Deputy Primary Principal & PYP Coordinator
Annie is the Deputy Primary Principal and PYP coordinator at ISA Science City International School. She holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design. Her native country is Malaysia and she is fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, and several dialects, including Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, and some Russian. Annie is a certified International Baccalaureate Educators (IBEN) school consultant, school visiting team leader, and IB PYP workshop leader. She began her IB PYP journey at Kazakhstan International School, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 15 years ago. In 2011, she became a PYP Coordinator at a bilingual international school in Beijing. To date, she has successfully assisted three international schools, including ISASC, in obtaining IB PYP authorizations.
Debbie Tai
Head of World Languages
Debbie is a bilingual educator who is dedicated to international school management, authentic leadership and curriculum development. Debbie joined ISA Science City after serving most recently as the Enhanced Language Program Coordinator at Wesley College in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to this, she served as the Head of PYP Chinese at Discovery College in Hong Kong, as well as the Chairperson of the Primary Chinese Curriculum Committee at ESF (English Schools Foundation, Hong Kong). As a highly respected member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN), Debbie consults internationally as an IB workshop leader for teacher training and curriculum development.
Katie Cummins
MYP Coordinator & Science Teacher
Ms. Katie Cummins is a British Australian Dual citizen, originating from Nottingham in the UK. After achieving a Master of Science degree in the Biological Sciences field in the UK, Katie travelled to Australia to complete a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne, and has for the past 18 years, dedicated herself to supporting her students to fulfill their potential. As a teacher of the Sciences, specialising in both Biology and Psychology at senior level, she has taught in the various programmes of the IB for the last 14 years. She has maintained various leadership roles across that time including Head of Sciences and has for the last 5 years held the role MYP Coordinator and Personal Project coordinator, guiding many students through the Middle Years Programme and school through its in depth IB Evaluation. She holds strong relationships within the IB organisation and continues to be sought out by the IB directly, to contribute to the direction and development of the Middle Years Framework.
Kelly Flynn
IBDP Coordinator and I&S Teacher
Kelly has 20 years experience as an educator, during which she has been the Curriculum Leader / Coordinator of Social Science / Humanities and Theory of Knowledge departments and an International Teacher of Social Sciences, IBDP TOK, IBDP History, Individuals & Societies & Humanities MYP. She has a Masters degree in Global Development (University of Leeds), two post-graduate degrees in education (Keele University & University of Ulster) and a BA Hons degree in Sociology (Queen's University Belfast).
In addition to her work here in China, she has been an educator in Ireland, the UK, Hungary, Vietnam, and Peru and also a Volunteer Coordinator, English Language Specialist & Inspirational Workshop Leader with NGOs in Kathmandu, Nepal and Nairobi, Kenya.
Luke Walker
Head of Student Activities
Luke has worked in China for 6 year’s and has been teaching for 12. After graduating from Exeter University in the UK with a degree in sports science, he then trained in the UK to become a PE teacher. He started his educational career in South London and after 4 years moved into a management role in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He arrived in China in 2017 to continue in his previous role as a Director of Sport close by in Shenzhen, where his classes received the best IGCSE and A-level results in China for 3 years running. Luke is currently studying to complete his MA in educational leadership and believes that we should all try to be curious thinkers with a growth mindset, able to adapt to the world around us.
Stephen Cobb
Head of Boarding
Mr. Cobb serves as the Head of Boarding at ISA Science City International School. He brings more than 25 years of exceptional leadership and teaching experience to ISASC. He has served on the Senior Leadership Team as Head of Boarding at Dulwich College & International High School Suzhou and as the Founding Head of Boarding at Harrow International School Beijing. He also has held leadership positions as Head of Department in Economic and Business Studies at The British School Warsaw and at Harrow International School Beijing. He also has held leadership positions as Head of Department in Economic and Business Studies at The British School Warsaw and at Harrow International School Beijing. Prior to becoming an educator, Mr. Cobb worked in the business industry in Management and as an Investment Banker and Financial Analyst. He has an MBA in International Finance and Economics and a Master’s degree in Education. He has taught Economics and Business Studies at both A Level and in IB Programs. Mr. Cobb has a passion for Model United Nations (MUN), Theatre, and Soccer.
Jerry Lou
Deputy Head of Boarding
Jerry has been providing excellent boarding care to students for over 10 years and plays an important role in their pastoral care. Prior to joining ISASC, she held key positions as a Science Teacher, Chinese Curriculum Manager and Assistant House Mistress at Wycombe Abbey International School (Changzhou). She strives to understand students’ situation in all areas of study and life at school, formulate personalized management plans, optimize student management, and promote the concept of holistic education in schools. By taking on the primary responsibility to provide boarding pupils (all ages/all years) with an exceptional level of pastoral care, she actively contributes to ensuring that the school provides a well-rounded educational experience. Jerry has taught Chemistry and General Science across the full range of international curricula for over 10 years. At ISASC, she teaches MYP General Science and DP Chemistry. With her guidance and tutelage, pupils are motivated and inspired, achieving high results as a result. Also, with the cultural differences and identity as well as the inclusivity of education, Jerry gained experience merging Chinese and International Curriculum for the best practice.
Sean Maj
Athletic Director
Sean is the Athletic Director of ISASC, bringing to the school a very strong understanding of sport in Guangzhou, the Greater Bay Area, and internationally. He graduated from McGill University of Montreal, Canada, with a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and English Literature, and played American football. He has served as an Athletic Director, teacher, coach of football, basketball, and volleyball, as well as one of the founding members of ACAMIS. Sean joins us from our partner school, ISA Tianhe. Prior to this, he was Director of Sport at another international school in Guangzhou. Sean is passionate about sport and helping students to pursue their dreams of excellence both on and off the playing field, which are key elements of the four pillars of sport at ISA Science City.
Coco Chen
Activities Coordinator
Coco is an enthusiastic experiential educator, a facilitator of community and social-emotional learning, and a student leadership coach. She has been working in education innovation and international education since 2014, leading experiential and social-emotional learning programs in China and Southeast Asia. Among the programs offered are adventure expeditions, nature and culture explorations, leadership workshops, Global Citizenship conferences, and social innovation projects. Coco is also passionate about promoting education equality. Her work in China, Thailand, and Nepal has been focused on empowering under-resourced youths to make a change in their local communities. Coco has conducted many Social Emotional Learning & Experiential Education Workshops for international educators in addition to serving as an educational consultant and trainer.
Vivi Qin
Marketing & Event Director
Vivi has nearly 10 years of experience in the international education industry and is currently the Marketing & Event Director at ISA Science City International School, as well as working in the Marketing and Communications Department of ISA International Education Group (ISAIEG) and the Marketing and Admissions Department of ISA Tianhe International School. Vivi has studied and worked in China and abroad, having studied in Sweden and obtained a Master's degree. She has a wide range of education-related qualifications, including IB certificates (PYP, MYP and DP), and the Chinese National High School Teacher's Certificate. Passionate about children and education, Vivi joined ISA in 2014 and has been involved in the creation and growth of a number of ISA schools, as well as making many efforts and contributions to the building and growth of the ISAIEG brand market. In the future, Vivi will continue to be motivated by her passion for international education and lifelong learning to enhance her professionalism and support the families in the ISA community and the establishment of the ISA international education ecosystem.
Susannah Xie
Finance Manager
Susannah is the Finance Manager at ISA Science City International School. She holds a bachelor's degree of Jinan University with the title of Senior Accountant and the certificate of Senior International Financial Manager. She has many years of experience in financial management in the education industry and has participated in the preparatory work of many different types of schools, including the establishment of financial models for educational projects, investment calculation and analysis of educational projects, etc. She has successfully applied for price permit licenses issued to the Price Center of the Price Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission for many different schools. Susannah believes in excellent financial management, which requires good budget management and fund management, and provides high-quality financial services for the development of school teaching activities.
Tracy Cui
Admissions Manager
Tracy Cui is the Admissions Manager at ISA Science City International School. For the past five years she has worked in international education. Tracy served as the Marketing Assistant Manager for the school and was involved with marketing and project development within the ISA International Education Group before she took on this role in 2020. Before joining ISA, Tracy worked for the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong in a marketing and communications role, and as a result, has developed advanced interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with people of all levels. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Business English. She is also a PMP (Project Management Professional) certified by the US-based Project Management Institute. Tracy assists parents with the admissions process, ensuring a positive, straightforward and engaging experience, ensuring high-quality communication, and gaining a full understanding of each family’s needs and interests throughout the ‘Parent Experience Journey’. Tracy believes that establishing positive and trusting relationships between schools and families plays an essential role in a student’s development during school.
Phoebe Zou
HR Manager
Phoebe has been working in international education for 10 years. Prior to working in international education, she worked for four years in the accounting and human resource departments of an ASUS company in Australia. She holds a Master of Accounting degree and is also a certified Australian CPA. Phoebe believes that people are the biggest assets of the school and she is striving towards providing the best HR services to achieve the school’s vision and mission.
Simon Tan
Head of Information Technology
Simon has been working in international schools for almost 13 years. Prior to joining ISA Science City, he worked for BASIS International School Guangzhou as the IT founder. His work in the school sector has included smart campus operations planning and implementation, construction of school networks, management of student information systems, and integration of electronic teaching. Simon holds a Master’s degree from South China University of Technology and is a PMP (Project Management Professional) certified by the Project Management Institute. His view is that the best international education is the perfect fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
