NEWSLETTER ISSUE 5, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2O15
An interview with the Registrar part of the team responsible for building a successful, vibrant and dynamic school from scratch. Of course, I was well aware of the success of Brighton College both in the UK and the Middle East so I was very keen to join the team in Bangkok. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to be part of school team which is like a tremendously motivated and cohesive family unit and ensuring that the pupils become the very best that they can be. What have been your career highlights to date? I have had the great fortune to have worked in five top international schools over my career and have been a part in the growth and development in all of these schools. I have loved the challenges posed by the Kim Meaden-Kendrick, Brighton College Bangkok’s
multi-cultural environments I have worked in and have
Registrar, is currently based in South Africa though
cherished the friendships built with teachers, pupils and
is looking forward to returning to her second
parents as I have had the privilege to work alongside
“home” in Bangkok. Her role as Registar is to lead
our future artists, lawyers, adventurers and captains
pupil recruitment and ensure that every family
of industry. I have shared in the excitement of the
who joins Brighton College has the best possible
school community when a pupil achieves the top marks
experience throughout the admissions process.
possible upon graduation and who were able to pursue their dreams against some incredible odds.
Tell us a little about your background and career to date
What are the two biggest challenges we face in
I was born in a very small town in Zimbabwe and had a
education?
happy childhood climbing trees, riding horses and riding
A major challenge we face in education is making sure
bicycles around the local neighbourhood. As a young
that our pupils are not just academic, but are emotionally
teenager, I left Zimbabwe with my family and began life
intelligent and able to make the most of their individual
as an expat child. I completed my University degree in
gifts in any given environment. The other major challenge
Australia and moved to Bangkok to begin my working life.
we face in education is making sure that children are
I started out in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant and
happy, secure and engaged with their learning.
through the years went on to work within a Secondary School office, Staff Development and Recruitment and
How does a Brighton College education prepare
then onto the fields of Marketing, Business Development
children for the world as it is today? What makes
and Admissions.
it unique? Our children must learn the value of the connection
What attracted you to a leadership position at
between body, mind and spirit. Getting to know each
Brighton College?
of our pupils and helping them to grow as sentient,
I was looking for a new challenge in education
perceptive and emotionally robust individuals is vital
management and was delighted when I stumbled on
in helping them learn the necessary skills beyond
the news that Brighton College were planning to open
the syllabus. Brighton College has a unique blend
up a new school in Bangkok. Whilst I have worked
of traditional academic rigour with a vast array of
predominantly in international schools, I have never had
opportunities beyond the classroom in the performing
the fortune of working in a brand new school and being
arts, sport and much more.
How are you and your husband feeling about the move to Bangkok? We are very excited about moving back to Bangkok. It is our second home and we are looking forward to reimmersing ourselves in the sights, sounds and tastes of this wonderful, vibrant city. What are your priorities between now and when the school opens? I am looking forward to helping build a very dynamic and exciting school. I will be working very closely with prospective families to ensure that each family are fully aware of the tremendous benefits of our Brighton College education. I will be working closely with our marketing team and the Headmaster to ensure that we begin our Brighton College Bangkok family in the very best way possible. What message would you like to send prospective families about sending their children to Brighton College Bangkok? The families who will be joining us will consist of individuals concerned with making the most of their time in Bangkok and at the same time helping their children obtain a top class education which will offer them every option possible for their future success. Pupils at Brighton College Bangkok will be happy, successful and ambitious. We will be able to help families feel secure that they have made the best decision for their children in choosing our school.
Contact information
Kim was speaking to Darren Coxon, Director of Education
Register
your
interest
online
at
www.
at Brighton College International Schools.
brightoncollegebangkok.com. We will then keep you up to date with the latest admissions information, as well as all developments at Brighton College Bangkok. For
further
queries,
please
admissions@
brightoncollegebangkok.com or telephone +662-5121872 (landline) 089-009111 (mobile).
Follow us on Twitter @bcischools for regular updates on the Brighton College family of International Schools
Join us at the launch event for ‘Britain’s most forwardthinking school’ The British Embassy
will host the official
launch of Brighton College Bangkok on 3rd November. The event will be hosted by His Excellency Mr. Mark Kent, the British Ambassador to Thailand, and will be attended by Khun Nusara (Assakul) Banyatpiyaphod, the Chair of Governors of Brighton College Bangkok, Mr. Richard Cairns, Head Master of Brighton College
Nusara (Assakul) Banyatpiyaphod, Chair of Governors at Brighton College Bangkok, will host the event at the British Embassy
UK, and Professor Lord Skidelsky, Chairman of Governors of Brighton College UK. The school will open its doors in September next year with the stated aim of becoming the leading British curriculum school in South East Asia. The Pre-Prep will open in September 2016 and will educate children from age 2 to 8, before the Prep and Senior Schools open in September 2017.
We will offer a kind, tolerant and
We want all children at Brighton College Bangkok to be a first class version of themselves, not a second class version of somebody else.
RICHARD CAIRNS
supportive environment for children
HEADMASTER, BRIGHTON COLLEGE UK
to learn, have fun and fulfil their
The Headmaster said: “Britain’s leading co-educational
potential.
school has a growing international reputation for both NUSARA (ASSAKUL) BANYATPIYAPHOD CHAIR OF GOVERNORS, BCB
Khun Nusara, Lord Skidelsky and Richard Cairns will outline their vision for the school, while David Tongue, the Founding Headmaster of Brighton College Bangkok, will explain the key differentials Brighton College will bring to the Thai capital. The Headmaster will also be available to speak to prospective parents and answer questions about the school.
A Brighton College education, despite having a rich history, is fresh, modern, vibrant, inspiring and inclusive.
DAVID TONGUE
HEADMASTER, BCB
excellence and innovation. It is a family of schools where traditional academic rigour is coupled with a unique and creative approach to learning. Brighton College Bangkok has, for the first time, taken this blueprint, of rigour and creativity, and used it to inspire a truly exceptional campus. It is a campus which will facilitate inspirational teaching and develop a love of learning in each and every pupil in every single corner of every single building.” Brighton College Bangkok will be launched at the British Embassy on Tuesday 3rd November. To register your interest in attending the launch event, please go to www.brightoncollegebangkok.com/launch.