David Griffiths was appointed Head of Primary in August 2007, and spent a full year preparing for the opening of the only international school in Putrajaya in September 2008. Originally from Manchester, England, Mr Griffiths, an Economics graduate from Birmingham Polytechnic, has over 22 years of experience as an educator and holds a PGCE in Primary Education. Mr Griffiths started off as a Primary School teacher in England before moving to Modern English School in Cairo where he was in charge of Science throughout the school. In 1999, Mr Griffiths became the Head of Primary at Garden International School Kuantan (Malaysia). He then moved to Spain, where he was Head of Primary at British School of Cordoba.

When there were plans to open a new international school in Putrajaya under the management of Garden International School, Mr Griffiths, who comes with over 13 years of experience in international teaching, was the first choice. He has seen the Primary school grow from strength to strength with the development of the IPC within the school. David believes that education should involve academic, personal and international understanding in a high challenge, low stress environment.

Tina Jenner: Reception Teacher

Tina is an experienced, dedicated and enthusiastic Early Years specialist with over 22 years experience of working with young children. She is familiar with the English curriculum and International Early Years programme having taught both in the UK and Spain. As a teacher she strives to create a classroom that is a happy, warm, secure and inviting place where each individual child feels comfortable, cared for and valued; a place where their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are met. She is thrilled to be part of Nexus International School, to teach and nurture this most receptive and challenging age group.

Liew Sau Kuen: Reception Teaching Assistant

Monica Lee: Nursery Teacher

Selvi Kunchu is a passionate teacher with 13 years teaching experience. A diploma holder in Montessori and a Bachelor Degree holder of Early Childhood by University South Queensland; her 6 years of experience with Alice Smith International School, Kuala Lumpur has given her strong footing and knowledge in this industry. Apart from being well-versed with the British education system, her love and patience in working with young children brings out the best in them.

Katrina Huish: Deputy Head (EY/MP1)

Daniel Knight: Year 1N Teacher

Clare Sweeney: Year 1E Teacher

Nina graduated with a BA & an MA in Architecture from Cambridge University in the UK. She also holds an MA in Digital Arts from University of the Arts London. Her change of career into education came as part of her long-term aspiration to give something back to the community in the best way that she can. She sees working with children as a privilege and strongly believes that excellence is a prerequisite and should not be measured just academically. In her spare time Nina enjoys digital art, computer games, reading, traveling, embroidery and dancing.

Julie is a dedicated, experienced primary school teacher, who has worked in a wide variety of schools across the UK. As a life-long learner, Julie also brings a creative and enthusiastic approach to child-centred learning. She endeavours to enable the children in her care to become critical thinkers, problem solvers and independent learners. Her teaching style recognises individuality and she believes that each child has a special talent. She enjoys new challenges and like the children, is always keen to'have a go'. Julie firmly believes that it's important for everyone to grow and learn, to experience new environments and methods of teaching and learning.

Filled with passion for learning, exploring and teaching languages, Marie joins Nexus International School to experience teaching in an international setting. She is especially keen in the areas of art and craft, history, cultural studies as well as geography. She is confident that the ICT-rich techniques at Nexus International School will play an important role in providing learners with an enriched learning experience.

Noor Hidayah: Year 2E Teaching Assistant

Kath McIlwhan: Year 3 Teacher

Victoria Fisher: Year 3 Teacher

Claire Waller: Year 4 Teacher

As a classroom teacher with four years experience in the UK, Heather endeavours to create a positive, caring and open learning environment. To inspire children and motivate learning she encourages them to pursue their curiosity in the world around them and take responsibility for their own learning. Heather strongly believes that learners should be supported to reach their potential, and recognise their own strengths, whatever they may be. As an enthusiastic user of ICT, Heather likes to include it in her lessons in a creative and educational way. Heather enjoys reading, dancing and traveling, and is looking forward to exploring more of Malaysia in her spare time.

Melalyn Ng: Year 4 Teacher

Atiyeh Sadeghi: MP2 Teaching Assistant

Robin Holmes: Year 5 Teacher

Adrianna Astle: Year 5E Teacher

Sandip Jagdev: Year 5 Teacher

Born in Ipswich, England, Symond has previously taught in Bristol, Cambodia and Kuantan, Malaysia. He is a strong believer in the use of ICT to extend and engage learners and is investigating how learners use Web 2.0 tools to learn collaboratively for his Masters of Education. Through real-life tasks, emphasis on personal development and thinking skills, Symond prepares his learners for their journey of life-long learning. A firm believer in a holistic education, he himself is a keen tennis player and scuba diver, and also loves travelling, food and listening to music.

Heather, a Canadian citizen, has a great love for teaching and learning she aims to share with students. While teaching in China, she was part of a team encouraging inquiry learning, development of global citizens and life-long learners. With a strong background in computer science, IT is often incorporated into lessons as a tool to aid learning and as a means for students to share their work. Heather was drawn to Nexus International School by its promise to foster the talents and gifts of its learners. She intends to uphold this promise and help her students reach their potential.

Jennifer has been teaching in and around Bristol for four years, from Reception to Year 6. She firmly believes that children should be offered a creative and meaningful topic based education, through which they can apply their skills across the curriculum. She also believes in encouraging independent learners through facilitating challenging, enjoyable and rewarding tasks. Jennifer describes herself as a positive, creative and dedicated person who loves to travel.

Scott Astle: MP3 Teaching Assistant

Paul is a passionate sportsman and has taught PE in Venezuela and Scotland. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an Honors degree.  Paul believes that PE should be accessible and fun for all children across the school regardless of their ability. Students should feel secure and happy in PE, so that they can fulfill their own potential. He has a vast experience of entering school sports teams into competitions and has achieved great success with his learners in football, basketball and swimming. Paul thinks it is a great honour and opportunity for learners to volunteer to represent their school. He believes that all learners should be physically active in their daily lives and learn to be aware of what aspects make them become healthy responsible world citizens. Paul has a keen interest in politics, traveling and he is looking forward to exploring Malaysia and becoming a part of the Nexus community.

Andy has 9 years of teaching experience working in English secondary schools, in a career that has encompassed a diverse range of rewarding roles. He completed a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science in 2003 and has worked predominantly in and around Yorkshire, UK. Since qualifying to teach, Andy has furthered his own professional development by becoming an Exam board Practical PE Moderator, an experience which he feels has given him a valuable insight into the examination process and one that has helped his students achieve exam success. He believes strongly in equality of opportunity for all and that by creating a healthy competitive culture in a safe and inspiring environment, students will thrive.  Away from school, Andy enjoys travelling with his family, going to the gym and is a keen golfer. He also, despite supporting Aston Villa FC remains an avid football fan. 

Originally from the North West of England, Martin has been a classroom teacher with particular responsibility for PE. He is recognised as one of the 'lead' Primary Physical Education practitioners in the area in which he works and he is regularly asked to advise other teachers, coordinators and schools on how to deliver high quality PE throughout their learning environments from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6. Martin also created a rigorous assessment process for High Schools, so transition from KS2 to KS3 could be made easier for both children and the PE department.
Martin believes that sporting activities should be fit for all abilities and every child can be challenged through progressive, enjoyable, competitive PE and Sport. As a primary classroom teacher he has developed an extensive knowledge of pedagogy within the classroom and has managed to transfer these attributes into PE lessons in order to deliver outstanding Physical Education provision for children of all ages.

Martin feels it is very important to create a positive environment where children feel comfortable and safe in sharing their thoughts and ideas in a developed way. He also subscribes to the idea that children are aware of taking risks and exploration through sharing and testing their ideas and suggestions are all vehicles of learning. He has accomplished a measured amount of sporting success, which allowed him to travel to other parts of the world as an ambassador for both Rugby League and Great Britain. As a student Martin played rugby league for England and Great Britain. These experiences strengthened his ideology for the importance of extra-curricular activities. Now that he's older, or would like to say experienced, his leisure time is spent playing cricket.

Before coming to Nexus International School, Lizzy taught in schools and universities throughout Japan, England, Australia, Cambodia and Malaysia and these experiences around the world have given her a love for languages. She leads EAL at Nexus International School and is working towards building a school culture where EAL is embedded in every aspect of teaching and learning. Lizzy has enjoyed using opportunities to teach with ICT in an EAL capacity.  An active person, her passions include scubadiving, cooking, reading and spending time with her family.

Chris has been teaching EAL since 1999 and has lived and worked in Hungary, the UK, Thailand and now in Malaysia. He has a wide range of teaching experience including 5 years with the British Council where he co-ordinated young learner courses as well as working extensively with teenagers. He believes very much in a learner centred environment that fosters independence, developing trust and mutual respect, therefore allowing learners to express themselves fully. He strongly feels all learners should be treated equally and be given the same opportunities to flourish. He also has a special interest in integrating ICT into learning. Chris is also an artist and a martial artist when he can spare the time away from his busy family and work life. Chris is very much enjoying life in Malaysia and experiencing the sights, smells and sounds that it has to offer.

Glenda hails from from Perth, Australia. She has been a generalist primary school teacher and a specialist teacher of English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Spanish and German at both primary and high school levels. In 2005 she decided to teach overseas and spent two years in Hong Kong and then two years in Singapore. She adores travelling and is looking forward to a wonderful working experience at Nexus International School, Putrajaya.

Ann Lee: EAL Teacher

Prior to teaching in Nexus International School, Ann Lee has been teaching in Montessori schools in Malacca and Kuala Lumpur for five years. She has a Diploma in Montessori Early Childhood Education and Learning Disorders Management and Child Psychology diploma. She has numerous experiences teaching in nurseries and kindergartens with children ranging from two to six years old. She is a dedicated and energetic assistant teacher in Years 1 and 2 before joining the EAL department this academic year. She always believes that each child is unique and has a distinct set of abilities and talents. Therefore, it is essential to provide them equal opportunities and access to education to achieve their full academic potential.

Sandra Heilberg: EAL Teacher

Sandra has been teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages since 2003. In the UK she worked in schools, colleges and community settings, teaching learners from seventeen to seventy, from all around the world.

Sandra is passionate about language and the power of words and has spent her working life sharing that enthusiasm.  She has worked as an arts administrator, a library assistant and was an associate director of an independent bookselling chain for 20 years, before opening her own bookshop. Her experiences have developed her communication skills in business settings and never dampened her love of reading and writing.

Angela brings both enthusiasm and passion to the teaching team and learners of Nexus International School. She has over 14 years of teaching experience across the globe, including countries such as Kenya, China and the UK. Her commitment to learners is reflected in her teaching philosophy; if a child cannot learn from the way he is taught, then he should be taught in a way that he can learn. Angela believes in equipping her learners with the necessary tools and strategies to give them the opportunity to learn the best they can and face challenges whether in academic, social or behavioural with the support, praise and encouragement provided by their immediate environment. Angela is a keen traveller and runner, and she is greatly inspired by her family, friends and colleagues.

Malou Bromley: Guidance Counselor

Malou has worked for almost twenty years as a Guidance Counselor and a Teacher in New Zealand and the Philippines. She has MA Ed, specialising in Guidance and Counseling. She is passionate in working with youths and adults from multi-cultural background. She believes that every student can develop life skills and achieve academic successes in a safe, inspiring, caring and challenging learning environment. She also believes that students have the capability to be self-directed, set goals for themselves and be intrinsically motivated to take the responsibilities of their own learning.  Malou has also worked as a professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, Facilitator and Mediator in New Zealand community sector. In her professional practice, she truly upholds the values of respect and collaborative teamwork effort in order to be effective.  She is now looking forward to share her wisdom and skills as a personal and academic Guidance Counsellor at Nexus International School, Malaysia. In her spare time she likes swimming, skiing, hiking, doing art work, eating out, and travelling.

Martyn Nayman: Head of Languages other than English (LOTE)

Martyn has been teaching in and around London for 10 years and has previously lived and worked in Holland, Germany and France. He has also travelled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, North and South America, East Africa, NZ and Australia. He uses this wealth of cultural diversity in his language teaching and aims for every single student to enjoy learning languages. He is passionate about his subject and is thrilled to be teaching in the progressive international environment which Nexus offers. He is a firm believer that teaching does not finish when the class ends and thoroughly enjoys participating in cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Martyn is passionate about languages, football, Scuba diving, travelling and motorcycles and is looking forward to experiencing all that Malaysia has to offer.

Leilah Zahedi: KS 3 Coordinator/French and Spanish Teacher

Leilah has been teaching for eleven years at Secondary schools in London, UK and two years in Venezuela. In her previous post she was the French Coordinator, the Head of the Learning Support Unit, the School Counselor and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Leilah is passionate about teaching Modern Foreign languages. She believes that learning another language opens the door to other cultures, helping us understand and appreciate people from different countries. Leilah feels that learning another language leaves students with more flexibility in thinking and a better ear for listening. Leilah believes in creating a safe environment in which students are given the necessary tools to flourish academically. Leilah has taught English as a Foreign Language in France, Belgium and Italy before studying for her PGCE. She has also had six years of counselling experience in schools and pupil referral units. She enjoys running, swimming, reading and watching European films in her free time. Leilah loves foreign travel and is looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Modern Foreign Languages Department at Nexus.

Wong Yee Ping: Mandarin Teacher

Yee Ping joins Nexus International School as she believes in striving for excellence in the pursuit of knowledge and youth development of all nationalities. The multi-national and multi-cultural community at Nexus International School serves as an ideal platform for her to share her interactive approaches to learning Mandarin with the international learners. She enjoys working with children and growing with them. She believes the best reward is to be able to help learners achieve their fullest potential within and outside the classroom.

Brenda Chong: Mandarin Teacher

Brenda joins Nexus International School with over 11 years of experience in teaching Chinese language in Singapore and Malaysia. She enjoys teaching in a multicultural and international environment as she believes it helps young children grow up to be true global citizens of the future. The ICT tools used in the daily learning at Nexus International School has helped tremendously in Brenda's teaching. She is keen to experiment with and implement new ICT teaching tools into her daily lessons to make learning more fun.

Sze has a Bachelor's degree in Science and worked in Industry before deciding on a career in teaching and in 2003 she retrained and gained her Diploma in Education majoring in Chinese Language Teaching. Since then she has taught Chinese in Malaysia with the last 2 years being spent in an International School. Sze Sze brings a wealth of experience to Nexus and is a firm believer that all Learners should enjoy every Chinese lesson. In order to accomplish this she varies her teaching styles and utilises a range of ICT and ensures her classroom is always supportive and conducive for learning. She is looking forward to teaching in the multi-cultural environment which Nexus offers.

Dianti graduated from Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASWARA) for Creative Writing Diploma, University Putra Malaysia for B.A in Malay Linguistics and University Kebangsaan Malaysia for M.A in Malay Literature. She has been actively writing in local newspapers and magazines about the Malay theatre and film industry for the past 13 years. Armed with her friendly personality, she is looking forward to explore new and interactive ways to learn Bahasa Malaysia at Nexus International School.

Nurhidayah graduated from University Malaya with a Masters degree in Malay Studies. Her goal is to make learning Bahasa Malaysia a more enriching experience by combining her language skills with the ICT resources available at Nexus International School, Putrajaya. She enjoys working with children and is constantly thinking of new and exciting ways to make classroom learning a more enjoyable experience.

Hailing from lecturing in varsities and teaching in secondary school, Wen Nie decided to join the Nexus International School for the love in working with young learners. Her enthusiasm in seeing them grow and learn through the education process drives her to continue her PGD in Education. She believes that each learner is unique for they own distinctive capabilities. She graduated from UPM with Master in Corporate Communication after her degree in Marketing. She has faith that education is her arena where she could fully utilize her 6Ps in her career - passion, positive-thinking, patience, peaceable, perseverance and perceptive.

Kiran is a very patient, creative, hardworking and caring teacher. She likes to create a relaxed learning environment where every learner can fulfil their potential. She enjoys working alongside children, especially those with additional needs because she understands that everyone learns in different ways and it is the teacher's challenge to find the method that works best for every child. She spends her free time dancing and listening to songs, especially bhangra. She loves working at Nexus as it gives her a platform to develop her own abilities as an educator.

Tim Costello joined the Nexus team in August 2012 as Head of Performing Arts. He was previously Head of Music in the Middle East, and before that he worked on the Senior Management Team, at Ringmer Community College in East Sussex. Tim is a Trumpet player and Music honours graduate from Dartington College of Arts. After a year traveling around the world he then went on to study for his PGCE at Sussex University.  Tim is passionate about lifelong learning and he recently furthered his own learning at the National College of School Leadership in the UK, and in 2009 completed his NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). During his 14 years at Ringmer Community College Tim was nominated for the Teaching Awards by a few of his pupils; he was awarded 'Secondary Teacher of the Year for the South East of England' in 2007. Since winning his award Tim has been working as a Teaching Awards Judge. He is passionate about empowering learners to work independently, collaboratively and using many styles of learning as possible. Outside the classroom Tim is also a Yacht Mater and Advanced Diver and loves spending time on or in the water he also aims to introduce these skills to the learners at Nexus.

Margaret Boyle (AKA) Maggie is a graduate of LIPA (Liverpool institute for Performing Arts) where she was awarded a Combined  BA (hon) in Performing Arts with Community Arts. Furthermore she graduated from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and was duly awarded a Post Grad Cert Ed. In her quest to develop further, Maggie undertook Post Grad study in Multi-Media technology at Liverpool University before going on to study at an advanced level with the Arts Council of England. Maggie was awarded the status of Advanced Skills Practitioner in 2007. As an advocate for lifelong learning, Maggie continues to value her own learning and is currently working towards a MA in Screenwriting at LJMU.

Maggie brings to NISP a wealth of experience as both performance practitioner and educator.  With nearly 10 years year's experience of Programme Leadership, Maggie's previous posts have included Year Head of a large Performing Arts Department in Merseyside, situated in the UK's North of England. Additional to Maggie's Programme Leadership role she facilitated guidance and counselling in relation to the personal and academic development of the 6th Form students in her charge- preparing learners for UCAS (University and Colleges Applications Systems) as an adviser for Higher Education Programmes within the Arts.

Maggie also brings 9 years experience as a Higher Education Lecturer, teaching Theatre and Performance and has been working for the last 7 years as Module Leader and Associate Lecturer for the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) UK. Maggie is keen to play an active role in the development of the new 6th Form at Nexus International School. Maggie's educational philosophy is about enabling learners to be knowledgeable and effective communicators; be free thinkers, inquirers and risk-takers in learning; be principled and open-minded in spirit; be healthy and happy in life; be reflective, caring and balanced in their outlook; in short, to develop and fulfil their unique potential.

In her spare time Maggie enjoys keeping the beat in a Samba Reggae band. Her latest creative pursuit is in learning to play the ukulele. She is currently writing for film and TV.

For the past six years Ann has been a whole school Music teacher in Thailand.  Prior to that, she taught Music in Bucharest, Romania and at state schools in the U.K. and Australia (where she was born and went to University).  She is seen by parents and children alike as someone who is an effective communicator who brings passion and enthusiasm to the classroom, and someone who nurtures a respectful, caring and non-threatening learning environment.  A keen traveller to many Asian countries, and a strong interest in their musical and cultural heritage, Ann is looking forward to the new challenges that await her in Malaysia.

Greg Dzideczek: ICT Technical Manager

Greg graduated from Griffith University in Brisbane with a degree in Computer Science. Before starting at Nexus, Greg taught in Primary and Secondary schools in South Korea over a four-year period. Shortly afterwards he moved to Malaysia where he began working at Nexus International School as the ICT manager. This year he will be moving over from the technical side of ICT to a teaching and implementation role, an area that he is passionate about. Greg's ICT knowledge, passion to facilitate learning and eagerness to identify how technology can be better used to enhance learning for both teachers and learners allows him to provide Nexus International School with another important resource in this ICT rich environment.

Richard Poth: ICT Integrator

Richard has been working as a teacher in the primary sector for 6 years. Before making the move into teaching, Richard worked in IT and communications. He has also worked in summer camps in the USA and as a professional entertainer in the UK and Spain. He graduated with a performing arts degree in 1999 and from a young age has had a passion with performing and directing in theatre and film. His experience in IT landed him the role as ICT subject leader in his NQT year of teaching. Since then he has shown inspiration and enthusiasm with his previous school in developing a solid infrastructure where children and staff can learn comfortably with ICT. As a legacy to his previous school he integrated Apple Macs as part of a creative project for cross curricula activities. Richard has a real passion for ICT in the classroom as a tool and enjoys encouraging and working with staff and students in integrating ICT across the curriculum. He has a particular interest in using video and sound to encourage learners to be creative with their learning. 

Jared Wilson: ICT Integrator

Jared has been a teaching ICT for 9 years, 6 of those where spent as the Head of ICT at a large secondary school in Nottingham. Jared has also contributed to an ICT Key Stage 3 textbook and has been involved with a UK exam board, writing and reviewing examination papers and working up to the role of Chief Examiner. He believes learning should be fun and that students should be taught in a positive and open atmosphere where they are free to experiment and develop new skills. Jared also enjoys using new ICT tools and believes that discovering new technologies is one of the greatest benefits of being an ICT teacher. He feels that all learners should be fully engaged with the use of ICT and encourages new ways to use digital tools to enhance learning and is excited about sharing his ICT values and contributing to Nexus International School. The desire to live and work in Malaysia has been a long standing goal for Jared and his family, having visited the country on numerous occasions over the past few years.

Suneel Madahar: ICT Integrator

Suneel qualified with a degree in Pharmacology from King's College London before becoming a very enthusiastic Biology and Science teacher in England. Moving first to Istanbul, Turkey and then to the east of The Netherlands, he taught Biology to IB Diploma level, as well as TOK and guitar. A move to the west of The Netherlands, 10 years ago, brought with it a chance to teach ICT and he has not looked back since. As well as being a classroom teacher, Suneel has been Head of ICT and a department Head. Suneel believes that combining learning with computers can have amazing effects on learning in the classroom, and brings this philosophy to Nexus International School, with it's wonderful resources. Suneel works hard to ensure that every student gets the most out of their time in school, both in and out of the classroom, using whatever tools in ICT he can find. Suneel has been an Apple Distinguished Educator for the past 4 years, and has a wealth of experience running ICT systems in school. Suneel has a passion for playing and recording the guitar, as well as 3D animation and programming.

Peter Rider: Teacher Librarian

Peter is originally from the Newcastle area of the UK and has a BA/MA in English Literature and experience as a teacher/librarian in Indonesia, England, Switzerland, Thailand and Germany. He has just set-up a new PYP/DP library in an international school in Frankfurt and is really looking forward to the challenge of working at Nexus and living in Asia again. Peter enjoys travelling and meeting new people and has a keen interest in tennis, golf, cricket and hiking. He also plays the guitar (very badly indeed) and has a liking for heavy rock music and live music (all types). Being an English Teacher, he has a passion for all things literary with a particular interest in world literatures and creative writing. Peter has experience of working across all three IBO programmes and is very enthusiastic about the Diploma programme.