Meet our Staff Davina McCarthy Executive Principal • The UK NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) • A degree in English from University College London
Senior Leadership
Davina McCarthy joined AIS in 2020 as Executive Principal. Ms McCarthy has extensive experience in international education and joined AIS following her Headship at a very successful school in Kuala Lumpur and was a finalist in the Times Education International School of the Year Award in 2019. Previously, she was a Deputy Project Director for a large educational development initiative in the United Arab Emirates as well as Head of Primary and Acting-Principal at an international school in Kuwait. Davina began her career in the United Kingdom and worked for sixteen years across several schools in London, with a focus on teacher training and Gifted education. Davina is also a qualified teacher trainer for Cambridge Education and, previously, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. In Malaysia, she also worked closely with Apple Education. She has presented at several education conferences and networks extensively with other school communities. Davina is passionate about academic excellence and opportunities for students and ensuring they are prepared to take their place in a rapidly evolving global context. She also believes strongly that colleagues across the curriculum receive the best training and professional development possible. Davina places great value on working with the school and wider community and is determined to foster a first-class international school education without losing sight of local culture and traditions.
Julian Carroll Primary and Kindergarten Principal
Beth Wills Deputy Primary and Kindergarten Principal
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Master of Education, Federation University (University of Ballarat) Bachelor of Education, Monash University Diploma of Teaching, Deakin University (Burwood State College) Graduate Diploma of Music Education, Federation University (Universityof Ballarat)
Julian Carroll has extensive experience as a Principal in both the government and independent school sectors and he is very excited to be joining the team at AIS Saigon. He moves from a PYP School, Kingswood College in Melbourne, where he has spent the last 3½ years as Head of the Junior School. He believes that to teach is an ‘honour and a privilege’. He is accompanied by his wife, Elisa, who is also an experienced educator. Julian’s passions include music, golf and architecture and he can’t wait to experience the culture, food and beautiful sites of Vietnam.
• Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Primary, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
This is Beth’s third year with AIS. She has 20 years of teaching experience ranging from 5-year-olds to 12-year-olds. Beth is a New Zealander and for the past 14 years has had the opportunity to be the lead teacher of Mathematics, a Team Leader and Deputy Principal. This is her 2nd year in the Deputy Principal role for Kindergarten and Primary. She believes it is important to build leadership capacity in schools so that it increases the opportunities for improving learning outcomes for all students. Her husband Brien is also a teacher at AIS. Their girls Lucy (12) and Isla (11) also attend AIS. Beth loves to play netball and yoga, enjoys most sports and keeping fit. She is a very active person and is enjoying life in Vietnam.
Ben Armstrong Secondary School Principal
Stuart Evans Deputy Secondary School Principal
• Bachelor of Science (Mathematics), Griffith University, Australia • Bachelor of Education (Physics), Griffith University, Australia • Masters of Education – with Distinction (Leading and Managing Educational Organisations), University of Southern Queensland, Australia
After starting his Mathematics and Physics teaching career on the Sunshine Coast, Australia, Ben has been a member of the AIS community since 2012. In that time he has held a number of positions at the school such as Head of Mathematics, Head of Science and Deputy Principal of the Secondary School. He is looking forward to using his vast institutional knowledge to continue the growth of AIS into a premier education choice for Ho Chi Minh City families. Ben finds great enjoyment and is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being. He believes the three pillars of which AIS builds its education; academics, creative arts and sport, ensure we help our students become inquiring and knowledgeable learners, leading to a brighter future.
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Physics (RMIT, Melbourne) • Masters of Arts in Learning and Teaching through the University of Roehampton (U.K) • Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education (VUT)
Originally from Exeter (U.K), Stuart taught Mathematics and Physics in Melbourne, Australia for 13 years before becoming Head of Mathematics at a large international school in the U.A.E for 3 years. After also fulfilling the role of Director of Studies at an independent school in Melbourne, he was appointed to an international school management position in the Czech Republic before moving to Vietnam to teach Secondary School Mathematics here at A.I.S. He holds a Degree in Applied Physics (RMIT, Melbourne), has recently completed an MA in Learning and Teaching through the University of Roehampton (U.K) and holds teaching qualifications in both Australia and the U.K. His passion is for education to be life-worthy and relevant to students in order that what is learned will matter in the lives that learners are likely to live. Outside of school, he enjoys time with his wife and three children, playing drums, cricket, listening to country music and watching Liverpool win everything.