PEOPLE TANGLIN of

The People of Tanglin are role models in more ways than one; they keep our school running efficiently and effectively. Who are they? Let’s find out.

What did you do before you joined Tanglin?

I joined Tanglin in 2014 as a Sport Facilities Assistant. Before that, I was working as a lifeguard at a “pool in the sky” for two years after completing my National Service. At the same time, I was also pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise Science.

Tell us more about your role here.

I work closely with my team to ensure the sports facilities and equipment are in safe working condition for our students to train and play with. We also organise the sport fixtures for all our competitive teams and provide administrative work to ensure efficient and seamless operations of the sport department. This role not only allows me to interact with my colleagues from various departments in school, it also provides me with opportunities to meet and work with like-minded individuals from the other international schools and sport organisations in Singapore.

You champion Badminton at Tanglin. What’s unique about it?

My father introduced badminton to me at a young age. He taught me the foundation of the sport and paved the way for me to play competitively and enjoy the sport during my leisure time. Badminton presented me with the opportunity to develop life skills such as problem solving, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. The most unique thing about Badminton is its social aspect and how fast paced the game can be. It is a great sport for all ages as it is noncontact and requires only minimal equipment to play. There is no need for tackling, pushing, or shoving amongst players, which makes badminton ideal as a social or family activity. You don’t even need to be athletic to enjoy the sport! The pace and high intensity of the game makes badminton not only exciting to play but also to watch. Even my one-year-old son enjoys watching a game of badminton!

Flora Xu

Chinese Specialist, Lead Coach (Senior School)

What did you do before you joined Tanglin?

This is my ninth year working at Tanglin. l previously taught in an international school in Beijing, China.

Tell us more about your role in the school.

At Tanglin, I am most fortunate to have the opportunity to work with many talented and knowledgeable colleagues, both within the Languages and Classics faculty, as well as in all areas of our three schools. I have benefitted tremendously from frequent opportunities to observe outstanding professional practice, as well as to participate in regular, high-quality professional dialogue.

In terms of our languages provision, it is inspiring and gratifying to observe so many students thrive linguistically and embrace wholeheartedly language learning across the whole department. The prominence that we give to the acquisition of cultural knowledge is a crucial aspect of the broader education of our students.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your career here?

It is the people, both students and colleagues, who make Tanglin such a magical school. My professional passion is, and has always been, teaching. However, the coaching work that I have undertaken in partnership with my colleague, Sarah Aldous, working in collaboration with 33 accredited coaches, has been a source of great pride and tremendous satisfaction. This partnership has resulted in the development of a coaching culture at Tanglin. It has been uplifting to observe how coaching has enabled both students and colleagues make huge strides in their professional and personal development.

What are your hopes for the future?

There is still much to achieve regarding coaching; I am excited by the prospect of collaborating more with my colleagues and contributing to the development of coaching at Tanglin together.

Edmund Chan

Technical Art & Design Executive (Senior Arts)

What did you do before you joined Tanglin?

I joined Tanglin in 2022. Prior to Tanglin I was a papermaker at STPI-Creative Workshop & Gallery. My previous job was to create artwork by making specialised handmade paper for invited artists. Part of the job was to push the boundaries of art creation through different materials.

Why did you join the school?

I decided to join Tanglin as I was excited about the prospect of passing on skills and sharing my knowledge with our students and the Tanglin community. As an artist, I believe it is essential to keep the arts community vibrant and interesting.

The best way to achieve this is through education, and of course I hope to inspire the next generation of young artists.

Tell us more about how you got started with ice and snow sculpting. What is your proudest project so far?

My passion for art extends to snow and ice-sculpting. I have been participating in the International Sapporo Snow Sculpture Competition since 2012. My team came in third and fourth place globally over the years. I travelled to Sweden to work on my latest project over the recent term break; Icehotel Sweden is my biggest and toughest project thus far and the elements pushed my partner and I to work harder, better, smarter. Even though it was freezing, we enjoyed every minute of it.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your career at Tanglin?

One of the best things about working in Tanglin is witnessing how our students conceptualise and create meaningful artwork. I am inspired by them every day.

What are your hopes for the future?

To continue to explore many different art forms that will inspire others.

Shakila Samuel Head of Community Relations

When did you join Tanglin and what did you do before you joined us?

I joined in 2018. Before Tanglin, I worked at Stamford American International and Australian International School as Business Development Manager.

How did you come to know about Tanglin?

Interestingly, I have had the Tanglin connection going back a while, almost 20 years ago – often supporting the popular Christmas and Summer Fairs in previous years – at a time when it was only Tanglin and Temasek Club within this area. The school had a good reputation and the role appealed to me.

What are some of your best memories in Tanglin?

Connecting with an Alumna who attended Cameron Highlands School (CHS, run by our founder, Ms Griff, in the 1940s during World War II) and then having her send (through a current parent) from Australia her handwritten letters to her parents, her classroom drawings, her school cloth badge – all original copies whilst at CHS – was a goosebump moment. It’s encounters like these that make you aware of the rich history of Tanglin and the connection across the world that still exist today.

Christopher Rawlings Head of Junior PE

What did you do before you joined Tanglin?

I joined Tanglin 20 years ago, in August of 2002. Before I came to Tanglin, I was a windsurf instructor in Hawaii, a fitness instructor, and a PE teacher in Poole in the UK. It was while working in Poole that I met a colleague who had worked in schools overseas. She told me about Tanglin and what an amazing reputation it had. I was fortunate to start as a PE teacher at Tanglin and to progress to Head of Aquatics and now as Head of Junior PE.

Tell us more about your participation in the Movember movement at Tanglin.

I have been taking part in the Movember movement for the last 11 years, which promotes awareness for men’s mental health and male cancers. I am the team captain at Tanglin, which means I organise and promote the charity at school. I am passionate about raising money and awareness for this cause as I have family and friends who suffer with these illnesses, and I want to actively contribute to the cause in a positive way.

What are some of your best memories in Tanglin?

Some of my best memories over the last 20 years are seeing my son start in Nursery at Tanglin, watching him progress through all three schools and knowing that he will be graduating with the 2023 cohort. On that journey, he has had an amazing education, experiences, opportunities, and wonderful teachers. My professional highlights include taking part in and organising sports events and courses at Tanglin, in Singapore and in Southeast Asia.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your career at Tanglin?

Connecting with Alumni, offering them support even years after they have left Tanglin through the various TTS Foundation Grants and Awards, is a wonderful function of the Alumni department. The Alumni are from various cohorts - many left years ago and are in diverse roles around the world – but still showcasing the ‘Generations of Excellence’ that we talk about with our students now. ■