7 minute read
People of Tanglin
from The Voice 37
PEOPLE TANGLINof
How well do you know the people of Tanglin? We catch up with a few of them to find out what makes them tick.
David Fourie
Assistant Head of Faculty, Senior School Computer Science
What did you do before Tanglin?
I joined Tanglin in 2011. I had worked at a couple of schools in Newcastle Upon Tyne while I completed a GTP and then achieved QTS. I was also studying for my postgraduate in Computational Neurology.
Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know about.
I am a very active individual and enjoy taking part in many sports with my wife and children. My favourite sport is rock climbing, but I also run, cycle, play squash, tennis and go to the gym regularly. As a family we love setting goals and monthly challenges. I am an experienced diver with over a hundred logged dives. I also enjoy editing videos of family travels and sharing them on YouTube.
The best part about working in Tanglin are the opportunities for me to share my passions with others, starting co-curricular activities allow me to bring my enthusiasm to students and help them find their passions. Nothing highlighted this better than my time with the Tanglin Climbing Team. It has been incredibly fulfilling to start a team and see it grow. Moving from a handful of students to taking dozens to compete in overseas competitions was magical. I have so many memories of trips and events that will stay with me forever.
Maia Salti
Head Girl 2021-22
When did you start studying in Tanglin?
I came to Tanglin in 2015. Previously I went to St. Margaret’s School in London for eight years. Going from a small girl’s school in England to an international school with 2,800 students was a big jump for me and it took me time to adjust, but I was excited to explore what was on offer at Tanglin. I signed up for a variety of sport like softball, and I really enjoyed trying lots of new activities and meeting new people along the way. I took advantage of the co-curriculars that Tanglin offered to further my passion for mathematics by becoming a math prefect and a math tutor to help others who are learning the subject.
What’s the best part about living in Singapore?
My favourite part is being surrounded by a diverse community with a welcoming culture. I am Indian, Chinese, English, Arab, and Singaporean so I have never really felt like I “belong” to one place. But in Singapore, I don’t feel like I need to. Meeting people from an array of countries has really opened my eyes and helped me to realise just how wonderful it is to be multicultural.
How do you feel about being Head Girl this year?
It’s a huge responsibility but I am grateful for the opportunity. I love working in a team with people who are just as excited about making a difference as I am. With the pandemic, planning events with the uncertainty of not knowing whether the rules are going to change for the better or the worse is not easy and we are all trying to learn along the way. However, these challenges will help us learn to be more ” “ adaptable and resilient. Meeting people from an array of countries has really opened my eyes and helped me to realise just how wonderful it is to be multicultural. »
Rebecca Morse
Deputy Head (Academic), Junior School
What were you doing before you joined us at Tanglin?
I joined Tanglin as Deputy Head (Academic) in 2016. Before coming to Singapore, I worked in leadership roles in South Korea and Spain and prior to that in a school in Bristol.
Tell us about yourself.
I am originally from Bristol, in the Southwest of England. I live in Singapore with my husband, our two children; Orson aged two and Imogen who is four and in Reception at Tanglin. We also have Indie, a Yorkshire Terrier. I enjoy exploring Singapore on my bicycle and have recently started a new hobby of sewing and am working towards creating my own wardrobe of clothes. I am a keen Bristol City Football Club supporter, although that generally brings more sorrow than joy. My husband and I are both from large families, and our children have over 20 cousins, two of whom also go to Tanglin.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I arrive at about 7am and head to the bus bay to welcome the children. Throughout the day, I have meetings with teachers and leaders across the Junior School to design and develop our approach towards teaching and learning. I love getting into class as often as possible, whether it is to read a story, share school updates or teach a lesson to the children.
Dave Radcliffe
Director of Sport, Senior School
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as fun, caring and personable, which is great because I can just be myself every day and enjoy spending time with the students and my colleagues.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a proud Yorkshireman at heart, spending my childhood years playing the ‘holy trinity’ of rugby league, football, and then cricket in the summer months. I developed a love of travel in my early years of teaching, and it was on a year-long secondment from work that I met my future wife in Argentina. We now have two bilingual children and one of these days, I am going to learn Spanish myself!
Sport has the power to evoke incredible emotions and sharing that with students over the years has been extremely rewarding. Whether it is that memorable moment of a SEASAC winning goal or the nervous child playing their first ever badminton match, it is a daily privilege to play a small part in the journey of so many young people.
What’s the best thing about working at Tanglin?
Matthew Wong
Head Boy 2021-22
What was your story before Tanglin?
I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, right about the time SARS hit the region. Before Tanglin, I lived and attended numerous other schools in the Asia Pacific region - Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and New Zealand. At first, I did not appreciate having to move countries once every few years, especially as a young one. It was hard making new friends and leaving them so soon after. It was not until later that I gained an appreciation for the wonderful cultures and experiences with which I had spent so much time engaging with.
Tell us about yourself.
As a New Zealander, I have grown up watching and playing rugby, so it has been something I have continued throughout my life both in and outside of school. I am also an avid photographer and dog lover. My family has two beautiful black and chocolate Labrador retrievers called Coco and Molly.
When I was in Year 7, I vividly remember looking at the past Head teams with a mixture of admiration, respect, and awe. I never quite thought that I’d make it. Being Head Boy this year has taught me a lot and I’m grateful for the experience and exposure that have come with the role.
Fiona Knight Lucas
Head of Music, Junior School
What did you do before you joined Tanglin?
Before joining Tanglin in 2006 I taught music at a college prep school in the USA. Prior to that I worked at international schools in Japan and Jakarta. I taught in London and worked as a professional violinist before leaving the United Kingdom.
Directing the FOBISIA Primary Music Festival at Tanglin with over 300 students and staff from 13 international schools was a real highlight for me. Creating performance opportunities for the children at Tanglin has always been one of my passions. Whether it is sharing a drumming pattern in a class music lesson, singing in the chorus in the Year 6 production, or performing a concerto in the Junior Young Musicians concert, there are many opportunities for children to enjoy performing at every level.
What are your hopes for the future?
Two levels of the Centenary Building will be dedicated to Tanglin’s Music Academy and the creation of a Junior School Arts Hub. I am very much looking forward to providing new opportunities for the students, with the music team, in these state-of-the-art facilities and hope that there will be a return to larger scale performances, with choral singing in particular, in the not-too-distant future. ■
