IPDA Hong Kong Committee
IPDA HONG KONG
Committee
This page features information and biographies for the IPDA Hong Kong Committee. If you are interested in joining IPDA Hong Kong or being on the committee please get in touch.
Alan Milliken
Chair
Affiliation: English Schools Foundation (ESF)
Bio coming soon.
Mark Poulsum
Vice-Chair
Affiliation: Discovery College
Mark has been Vice Principal at King George V School since 2012, having previously worked as Head of Geography in Hong Kong and the UK.
Within his current role, Mark has led professional learning for King George V’s teaching staff, aiming to create learning experiences for all teachers that align with the school’s vision, whilst also developing structures and approaches that foster a collaborative culture.
In addition, Mark believes that developing innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets amongst students is a crucial part of education. He has worked as part of the Young Founders School team to create ideation experiences for students across Hong Kong, as well as working with a range of start-up companies to develop meaningful learning experiences for students.
Emmanuel N Barthalomew
Affiliation: Ulink College of Shanghai
Emmanuel N Barthalomew is currently the Academic Principal at Ulink College of Shanghai, a Fellow at The Chartered College of Teaching and a PhD (Education) Candidate at University of Exeter. He’s been an international educator for over eleven years and has taught from kindergarteners through to university students. He has degrees in English Language and Literature, ESOL, and Educational Leadership and Management. He is currently researching Middle Leadership’s influence on professional and whole school learning.
Fritha Jameson
Affiliation: Secondary Assistant Principal (Academics), Shen Wai International School
Fritha is an experienced foundation staff member of international schools within China. She has worked in a variety of educational contexts, including IB schools as a teacher (music), head of department, DP Coordinator, and Assistant Principal in the capacities of both Academic and Pastoral; the National Curriculum of England and Wales for Early Years to Key Stage 4 (music); as well as back in New Zealand where she also taught computing and social studies in established secondary schools.
No stranger to a challenge, Fritha’s eclectic background has allowed her to found iMADSZ for the international music, visual arts, and dance/drama teachers of Shenzhen and continue her understanding of holistic education, traits of leadership and professional development to inspire dynamic student and staff communities through the completion of a Masters in International Education Administration through Endicott College.
Dr. Jiafang Lu
Affiliation: Education University of Hong Kong
Dr. LU Jiafang received her doctoral degree in Applied Psychology from Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is Associate Professor at the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership, the Education University of Hong Kong.
She is fascinated with studying emerging phenomena in school leadership teams, leadership development, as well as factors enabling teacher collaboration and innovation. Her research projects have been funded by highly competitive grant schemes such as Early Career Scheme and General Research Fund of the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong. She shares her interest with similar enthusiasm for translating knowledge in these areas into leadership development and school improvement.
Claire Peet
Affiliation: Yew Chung International School
Claire Peet taught in the UK for 10 years before moving to Hong Kong to teach in the international education sector. In the UK she worked for a 1st percentile comprehensive school, where continuous school improvement and a drive for progress underpinned a legacy of outstanding Ofsted rankings and national acclaim. Inspired by a fearless school leadership team who were unapologetic in its ambition and drive, she began to formulate her educational values and philosophy. When the school transition to an academy, this presented opportunities to work in schools considered to be underperforming. Claire worked within these settings to bring about cultural and structural reform. Leading during times of change and uncertainty became her area of interest and focus.
Moving to Hong Kong presented a new opportunity and lots of unknown. The transition to work in a multicultural setting, with a focus on developing global competencies and servant leaders impressed upon her how different education could be. She began to work with professionals from across the world, with different ideas, experiences and expectations. Over the past two years she has transitioned into a senior role, reflective of a growing need within the organisation; to enhance professional growth, to retain talent and to build structures and documents that support teacher appraisal. She continues to work with the wider senior teams across the secondary, primary and ece sections to bring about further enhancement to the internal and external programmes offered.
Jacques Perche
Affiliation: English Schools Foundation (ESF)
Bio coming soon.
Rehana Shanks
Affiliation: Sha Tin Junior School
Bio coming soon.
Amanda Shepherd
Affiliation: Assistant Principal, American School Hong Kong
Amanda is currently the Assistant Principal for Secondary at ASHK. Amanda has worked in eight different countries all over the world since leaving the UK. She has mainly worked in IB schools as a teacher (mathematics), head of department, MYP and DP Coordinator, and Assistant Principal.
Whilst never losing her passion for mathematics, Amanda enjoys school positions that allow a wider perspective on the holistic education of secondary-age students. Amanda has recently completed her Masters in International Education Leadership and Change at the Education University of Hong Kong which has deepened her understanding of leadership, particularly in the regional context.
Sean Wray
Affiliation: German Swiss International School, Hong Kong
Specialism: Collective Teacher Efficacy, Ethics and Cross-Phase Collaboration
Sean is originally from Western Australia and he is the incumbent IB Diploma Coordinator at the German Swiss International School in Hong Kong. In addition to teaching Economics and History, Sean has a rich background in leading professional development and curriculum collaboration, having led this for a group of teacher representatives from a network of 22 schools (Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary). Sean has also led Curriculum Groups for Business and Economics for a collection of seven International Baccalaureate schools.
Sean has examined several Diploma subjects for the International Baccalaureate Organisation and has written articles for the IB Review Magazine. Last year, he co-authored an IB-endorsed textbook for the new Diploma Economics course. He has also guest lectured at the University of Hong Kong on Assessment in the IB Diploma.
