Our Teachers

Thomas Blower

Teaching in a student-centred manner, utilizing positive psychology and experiential learning; creating personalised learning pathways and inspiring a love of literature and learning.

Thomas Sishton

Tom Sishton graduated from the University of Reading in 2016 with a degree in Film, Theatre and Television Studies.

Having graduated Tom begun his first career working in television in the UK. As part of his role as a graphics operator he worked on many professional sports such as rugby, football and cricket, often covering international level matches for international broadcasters.

Since moving on from his role in television Tom begun his career in education, teaching at a comprehensive catholic school in Reading where he is a teacher of English and subject leader for Media Studies. As an English teacher he has taught from KS3 to KS5 and assisted in curriculum design. As subject leader for Media Studies he is responsible for all teaching and learning for the A Level subject.

Tom is a passionate sportsman and has coached both rugby and football in school as well as involving himself in drama productions which is another of his passions.

James Thayer

James Thayer graduated from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor of Arts in English and went on to complete his Masters Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language at The Pennsylvania State University. He additionally attained a Secondary English Language Arts teaching Certification from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.

James has a wide range of experience both in America and internationally. At Pennsylania State University, he taught and tutored undergraduate and graduate courses. After leaving America, James also taught language proficiency courses at a private primary school in Lopburi, Thailand. Prior to coming to King Henry VIII, James taught culture, language, literature, and linguistics courses at a private university in Malaysia. James is currently teaching language and literature at the King Henry VIII senior school.

Harani Sandanasamy

Harani was educated at the University of Nottingham in Malaysia, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) with First Class Honours. As a fresh graduate, Harani embarked on her teaching career after her successful internship period with KH8 and currently serves as an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher in the Senior school.

In addition to her role as an EAL teacher, Harani is actively involved in the Boys Boarding team.

Harani's passion for equal opportunities and discipline in education drives her to motivate and inspire her diverse classroom of non-native English speaking Asian students. With her leadership experience in a charity club during university, Harani demonstrates her commitment to holistic student development and success.

Alyssa Iman

Alyssa Iman is a graduate of Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, where she obtained a Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in English Studies, and a minor in English Literature. She is currently pursuing a Master of English Studies at a local university.

She has been teaching English Language, English Literature, and Humanities subjects (History and Geography) for over 15 years. Alyssa has recently taken on a new and rewarding role as an EAL (English as an Additional Language) Teacher at King Henry VIII College. Throughout her career, she has also held various managerial positions, including Head of English Department, Head of Communications, and Academic Coordinator for the Secondary School.

Alyssa is a certified teacher in the Quantum Learning in Teaching (Q-Lit) programme, a brainchild of the globally recognised and well-established Quantum Learning Network (QLN).

Leon Dixon-Chen

Leon Dixon-Chen graduated from the University of the West of England, Bristol, with a First Class (Hons) degree in Mathematics. He then completed his PGCE with the Institute of Education, London,which has now amalgamated with University College London (UCL).

He went on to teach mathematics at Harris Academy, St. John’s Wood for over 4 years before then moving onto Chelsea Academy, where he enhanced his teaching abilities to educate inner-city London students. He later joined King Henry VIII College, Malaysia to teach mathematics in July 2019, where he has honed his expertise in teaching at an international level.

Leon’s extra-curricular passions lie in maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular sporting activities such as football and basketball. This has been translated in his past and present experiences in coaching students in various disciplines of sport; volleyball being his most recent venture. He is also an avid gym enthusiast, often running co-curricular activities which focus on strength & technique. Establishing his work as an educator has allowed him to equip students with the skills to become well-rounded global citizens.

Richard Keating

Richard was educated in the US, where he studied Solid State Physics. He worked as an Engineer and Scientist in the Semiconductor industry. After working at companies in the US such as Motorola and Delco Electronics he moved to Malaysia as a pioneer member of the Silterra wafer fabrication start up in Kedah. He later ran his own consulting company CMOS Training and Consulting based in Penang. After moving to Australia to work at Schneider Electric as a Project Manager he obtained his teaching degree and taught Science and Maths in Secondary schools in the Adelaide area. Fate brought him back to Malaysia to teach at Uplands School in Penang and finally King Henry VIII.

Although now focussed on teaching Maths from Year 7 through Year 13, he has historically taught a combination of Science, Physics and Maths in his career. Richard has a technical background and has authored a number of papers concerning semiconductor processes and devices. He was the Chairman of Electron Device Society Malaysia and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.

Arif Fikri

Arif holds a (B. Eng. (Hons)) degree from UTM, and embarked on his teaching career focusing on Mathematics and Physics in the IGCSE Level. Concurrently, he pursued his (M.Eng) at UM and was accepted into a PhD program in 2019. Alongside his doctoral studies, Arif has served as a Graduate Research Assistant, Co-supervised undergraduate students, and authored publications in international journals and proceedings.

With a robust background encompassing six years of teaching, he has extensive experience in both the National and Cambridge International Curriculum. His current teaching areas cover the A , AS and IGCSE Levels.

Arif prioritizes students and advocates for personalized, enriched education, offering diverse opportunities for holistic development.

Angie Lee

Angie was educated in the Malaysia and Australia, where she studied Economics Degree in USM and later pursued her Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Charles Darwin University in Australia. She worked as an Business Analyst in the Semiconductor industry such as Toshiba and later became one of the pioneer members of the semiconductor wafer fabrication start-up in Kedah. Angie and family migrated to Adelaide Australia for 10 years where she taught Maths and English as Second Language specialised in Maths and Science in a few secondary schools in Adelaide. Fate brought her back to Malaysia to teach at Uplands School in Penang and finally King Henry VIII.

Angie has been teaching for more than 15 years in Mathematics and English as Second Language (specialized in Maths and Science) in Australia and Malaysia. Within these time, she has held various leadership positions.

Alexander Edward Tuck

Alex Tuck graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a Batchelor of Science Degree. After living in the United States for a short period of time Alex then returned to the UK completed his Postgraduate Degree (with QTS) in teaching specialising in Mathematics at Edge Hill University.

In the UK, Alex has taught in West Norfolk, teaching Mathematics to both KS4 and KS5 students for six years. During his time there, Alex has had the privilege of mentoring trainees as well as Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and coordinating Additional Mathematics for the West Norfolk Academies Trust. Alex is an extremely passionate sportsman, having played football at a semi-professional level and has coached both KS4 and KS5 football teams. Having accepted a position at KH8, Alex will be teaching Mathematics to both KS4 and KS5 students".

Vasantha Ponnen

Vasantha Ponnen is an experienced teacher and Certified trainer with a solid educational background, holding Master's and bachelor's degrees in Education. With over 14 years of teaching experience, she has successfully implemented pedagogical best practices in schools, enriching her students' learning experiences.

As a passionate teacher, Vasantha firmly believes in holistic learning and student empowerment. She enthusiastically encourages her students, focusing on stimulating critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Vasantha's utmost priority is fostering self-love and confidence, ensuring her students thrive academically and personally.

"Computer science empowers students to sharpen their thinking and problem-solving abilities, unlocking a world of limitless possibilities."

Rajini Muniandy

With a wealth of experience spanning over nineteen years, Rajini has successfully led a Computing department as the Head, overseeing a team of more than ten dedicated teachers. Throughout her distinguished career, she has also served as an esteemed Computer Science and ICT Teacher for over two decades, effectively managing diverse classrooms across government, private, and international schools. Renowned for her ability to inspire students, she firmly believes that fostering high expectations within the school community leads to unparalleled levels of achievement.

Demonstrating unwavering strength, focus, and determination, she stands as a resolute Computer Teacher, driven by the desire to create a lasting impact in the lives of her students. Her passion for the subject matter is palpable, and she continuously strives to uphold the utmost standards of teaching excellence. Notably, her exceptional dedication has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the prestigious Highest Student Achievement Awards for IGCSE ICT and Computer Science, bestowed upon her in Malaysia, Asia, and worldwide.

As a computer science teacher, she will continue to foster a positive classroom culture that values creativity, teamwork, and perseverance. She will encourage students to take risks, learn from failures, and develop a growth mindset, fostering a love for computer science and creating a supportive learning community

James Welburn

James was educated in the U.K., where he studied Environmental Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire. After a successful career in Environmental Consultancy and Field Ecology, James transitioned to education, pursuing a PGCE in Science Education at Liverpool Hope University.

He Has been teaching for 15 years of which 7 years have been in Malaysia. Within this time he has held a wide range of leadership roles such as Student Voice Coordinator, Data Lead, Head of KS3, Head of Biology and Head of Sixth Form.

James' main objective is that students come first and education should be personalised and enriched providing all students with a range of opportunities to develop. He is committed to instilling a passion for learning while fostering a growth mindset that promotes lifelong success and self-belief.

Spencer Cheng

Spencer Cheng was educated in London and read Chemistry at the University of Manchester. After a long and successful career in the electronics industry, he decided to pursue his long-held teaching aspirations and trained to be a teacher in 2002. He taught for many years in Hampshire and Dorset before coming to Malaysia in 2013. He has led Chemistry departments for over a decade and delights in the academic successes of his students. Spencer is a keen traveller and has been to nearly a hundred countries.

Corinne Smit

Corinne Smit is an experienced secondary school teacher specialising in Biology, with 17 years of teaching experience. After working in South African schools for five years, Corinne embarked on an international teaching journey. Her rich international teaching background has provided her with valuable insights into diverse educational systems and teaching methodologies. Corinne has been living in Malaysia for two years.

Passionate about creating inclusive and engaging learning environments, Corinne believes in student-centred education. She views herself as a facilitator, guiding students on their learning journeys and encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based learning. By differentiating her instruction, she accommodates various learning styles. Corinne emphasises the importance of building strong relationships with students, their families, and the wider school community.

Edward Hayes

Edward was educated at the University of Southampton with focus on sustainable fuel cell catalytic technology. He moved to Myanmar after graduation, spending three years teaching in international schools. During this time he also worked with the World Wildlife Foundation on waste water pollution in the Ayerwaddy river.

Now in his fifth year of teaching, he has a strong focus on students mastering core ideas and working collaboratively to develop understanding and appreciation of higher order concepts. His priorities are ensuring that all students feel able to succeed, are constantly engaged in developing their own understanding and develop a mindset of curious academic exploration, seeing chemistry not as an exam to pass but as a lens through which they can observe the world.

Aziz Majeed

Aziz was educated in the U.K., where he studied Astrophysics, specialising in Cosmology. He also worked as a Research Scholar at the Ritter Observatory Astrophysics Research Centre, where he worked with a team who discovered the first extragalactic Extended Red Emission.

He has been teaching for over two decades and has spent half his teaching career in leadership roles such as Head of Physics and Head of Science. As an international teacher, he has spent the last five years in Malaysia due to how amazing living in Malaysia is.

He is always focused on bringing positive value added to all students and improving academic performance. He enjoys using student-focused activities to support and challenge student problem-solving and practical skills and encouraging critical thinking based on logic and reason.

He believes in celebrating diversity since a happy, improving, actively involved internationally minded student benefits the family and the wider community.

Mathias Adjigblie

Mathias Adjigblie is a trained, experienced Science Educator who graduated from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2015. Before moving to Malaysia, he has served as the Physics Teacher at a premiere school in KSA. He currently holds a Bachelor of Education in Science, a Diploma in Basic Education, as well as a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

His teaching career spans over a period of 12 years, from Ghana, and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mathias has taught in various stages to students of variable age brackets. He has served in various roles such as Assistant Volleyball Coach, Patron of the Writers' Club, Administrative Assistant and Staff Secretary. He is both a competent individual in his assigned duties, and an equally efficient team-player

Sharifah was a holder of Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia scholarship for 4 years. She has experience in teaching for more than 4 years. She is also certified as Google educator and Edpuzzle coach.

Sharifah is an upbeat teacher devoted to promoting student learning and strengthening individual potential. Her dream is to be the teacher that makes sure every student gets an education that helps them succeed.

Prisca Langlais

Prisca earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity Western University and her master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in drawing and painting from California State University, Fullerton. In 2013, she won the Alliance Art Tribute grant to study the art of the Renaissance under Professor Domenic Cretara in Florence, Italy.

Prisca’s artistic practice includes drawing, painting, video, photography, and sculpture. 

Her work has been shown in 13 of the 50 American States and internationally in France, Italy and Canada. Notably, her work was shown at Schomburg gallery in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, the Pomona Museum of Art, and is part of the private collection of the AHA Development Group Inc., in Newport Beach, CA.

Prisca is experienced in teaching Arts from EYFS all the way through GCSE and A-Levels Art. Prior to joining KH8, Prisca taught in primary schools and universities. She is passionate about instilling art appreciation and promoting creativity within her students.

Sabina Wray

Sabina Wray (BA Hons, PGCE) graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography. She continued her studies with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with QTS at the University of Lancaster.

Sabina has spent the last 17 years developing an Ofsted Outstanding Visual Arts A-Level Photography course at Blackpool Sixth Form College. Working with a wide range of A-Level and GCSE Visual Arts subjects including Fashion, Art Craft and Design, Textiles and Graphic Design. During her time at Blackpool Sixth Form she was nominated for ‘Teacher of the Year’ and won ‘Outstanding Department. Sabina coordinates the gifted and talented programme and the A-A* program encouraging student participation in trips, national and regional art exhibitions and hosting guest speakers and workshops from leading experts within the Visual Arts and Universities.

Her students have won prestigious competitions such as The Amnesty International Photography Award, The Johnston Prize for Photography and have been accepted to the top Russell Group Universities.

Elaine Foster

Elaine Foster is an arts educator and theatre maker from Malaysia and the UK. She is particularly interested in how arts education can be used across the school curriculum. She founded the arts education platforms My Poetry School and Poetry Cafe KL, through which she has taught in numerous national, private, and international schools across Malaysia and Singapore, facilitating poetry, storytelling and drama workshops. Over the years, Elaine has given talks on the use of poetry in education, performed her poetry at various literary events, organised youth literary arts events and has hosted her own radio show on Malaysia’s BFM.

Elaine is a caring, energetic, and empowering mentor and advocate for young people. She believes that we are all lifelong learners and is always looking for an opportunity to improve her skills and knowledge through continuous professional development in order to better serve the students she teaches. She is currently pursuing a postgraduate certificate in D education (PGCE), with a focus on using drama-based education in secondary school PSHCE teaching and learning.

Nicholas Smith

Cardiff born Nick Smith began his musical training as a scholarship junior student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He gained an honours degree in music from Huddersfield Polytechnic and completed his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Nick has worked as a freelance horn player with most of the UK’s professional orchestras and has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Nick was a founder member of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, housed in Kuala Lumpur’s spectacular Twin Towers. Nick returned to SE Asia as a newly qualified teacher at Jerudong International School in Brunei Darussalam where he rose to Head of Music Performance. He joined KH8 as Head of Music in 2021.

Rachel Thompson

Rachel was educated in the UK and was Head of Physical Education for 7 years at a Girl’s Grammar School in Kent. After this she moved to Sydney, Australia for 5 years where she worked as a School Sports Coordinator, directing and developing sport, coaches and teams within the schools.

Rachel has worked in Malaysia for 5 years and enjoys learning about the different cultures and experiences gained from working in an international school setting.

Rachel believes Physical Education and Sport are an essential part of the school, both in and out of lesson time. It is a key part of the school life to help develop physical, mental and important social skills with different individuals. It can develop teamwork, sportsmanship and an understanding of the body. All pupils can achieve and succeed in Physical Education with positive teaching, support and opportunities to grow their skills in a safe environment.

Jack Dean

Jack was educated in the U.K., where he studied Sports Coaching Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University. After graduating, Jack took up a Graduate assistant role at Clifton College, Bristol, United Kingdom assisting within the PE department and as an Assistant Housemaster in Preparatory Boys' Boarding house for two years. This experience confirmed Jack's choice to pursue a career in teaching and decided to complete a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education at Exeter University.

Jack has been teaching for 3 years and all of these have been at King Henry VIII. Within this time he has also taken up a role inside Boys' Boarding as a Residential Tutor and is currently the Head of Boys' Boarding.

Jack's main objective as an educator is a holistic student-centred approach to teaching and learning where the students can develop personally alongside their academics through an enjoyable and fun learning environment to foster a lifelong passion for physical activity.

Sam Ghomashchian

Sam Ghomashchian is an experienced educator with a strong background in teaching Physical Education and Swimming to both Primary and Secondary students. Sam holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree from Robert Gordon University, UK, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from The University of Nottingham, UK. With 10 years of teaching experience, Sam has previously held significant roles as a Co-Curricular Activities Coordinator in whole school settings. Sam has actively contributed to the development of Physical Education departments in international schools in Malaysia, China, and most recently, Singapore. He is currently working towards the UK National Professional Qualification (NPQ) in Leading Behaviour and Culture. In August, Sam will join King Henry VIII International School as a Teacher of Physical Education.

Rania Khalil

Rania was educated in Denmark, where she studied Danish, English, Food Tech and Modern Foreign languages at the University of Southern Denmark. Rania specialized in teaching bilingual students and excelled in teaching Modern Foreign Languages.

Within her time of teaching, Rania has also held positions as school counselor, HoD, and administration consultant and project leader at Copenhagen municipality, Children and Youth department.

Rania values the wellbeing of each student in the classroom and possesses the ability to create a trustworthy and respectful environment in her class, using her theoretical knowledge from psychotherapy. She is a dedicated teacher and strives to guide her students to reach their full potential.

Norfarehah

Norfarehah has worked as a Malay 1st Language teacher at King Henry VIII for 2.5 years. She was recognized by the school for achieving 100% A on the IGCSE exams in 2022. She also worked as a Malay Foreign Language teacher at Taylor's International School Puchong in Selangor, Malaysia. Additionally, she served as an IB Language Acquisition Teacher and Head of Bahasa Malaysia at Fairview International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Norfarehah is a passionate and experienced educator committed to fostering language proficiency and cultural appreciation among her students. She is dedicated to promoting the love for the Malay language and culture while tailoring her teaching approaches to meet the diverse needs of her students.

Nurul Nadia

Nadia grew up in different parts of Malaysia and lived in Australia for several years. She graduated from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and later on, obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) at Open University Malaysia.

She has been teaching for 10 years in international schools in Malaysia and started her teaching career as a Primary School Homeroom Teacher, whereby she held a few middle senior leadership positions such as Head of House and subject coordinator. She has had the opportunity to teach students from diverse backgrounds and ages in her collective 10 years of teaching.

She believes that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their background and abilities. She is committed to creating an inclusive classroom environment where students feel valued, respected and supported.

Wong Yee Ping

Yee Ping has a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a PGCE from National Taiwan Normal University, as well as a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Manchester, UK.

Prior to teaching at King Henry College VIII, Yee Ping gained extensive experience teaching the Chinese Language in international schools and universities. She has enjoyed over 20 rewarding years teaching the Chinese Language in Malaysia and Singapore.

Yee Ping believes in the importance of developing effective learning with technology and 21st Century learning. The multinational and multicultural community at KH8 serves as an ideal platform for her to share her interactive ICT approaches to learning the Chinese Language with international learners. She enjoys working with students and growing with them. She believes the best reward is being able to help learners achieve their full academic and personal potential.

Adeline Lo Pui Yee

Adeline is from Borneo Sabah, also known as the Land Below The Wind, as immortalized in Agnes Newton Keith's renowned book from 1940. Adeline's journey in education began at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where she majored in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL).

After her graduation, Adeline embarked on an inspiring detour, dedicating herself to full-time volunteer work. Her unwavering commitment to promoting an appreciative and caring educational approach led her to China and Malaysia, where she organized impactful talks, thought-provoking forums, and transformative cultural exchange camps. Through these endeavors, Adeline has left an indelible mark on countless lives, instilling a passion for learning and fostering a nurturing environment.

With her extensive experience and expertise, Adeline joined a local university as a Mandarin Lecturer for a period of four enriching years. In her classroom, she skillfully integrates cultural activities and harnesses the power of computer technologies. By creating dynamic and immersive learning experiences, Adeline ensures that her students actively engage with the subject matter and develop a deep understanding of the Chinese language and culture.

Adeline's teaching philosophy extends beyond the boundaries of a traditional educator. She aspires to be a trusted friend to her students, forging meaningful connections that empower their personal growth. By cultivating a supportive and inclusive learning environment, Adeline inspires her students to reach their full potential and nurtures their confidence.

Ferenc Somogyi

Ferenc was educated in Hungary, where he studied History and also completed his teaching course at the University of Szeged. He has even completed the first year in a PhD course in the same discipline after graduation of his Masters in History. During those years he became a leader of the Students Union in the same institution.

He has been teaching for 17 years of which 6 years have been in Malaysia.Within this period of time he has held some leadership roles like CAS Coordinator in a large prestigious IB school in the Netherlands and Head of History in his most recent employment in a highly reputable Sixth Form College within Malaysia.

Ferenc’s main objective to continue his dedication with a solid commitment to further the social and academic growth and development of every child. He is a highly motivated, enthusiastic educator who is fully committed to creating a stimulating and encouraging classroom atmosphere that is fostering a child-centered curriculum and student creativity.

Thomas David Fletcher

Thomas Fletcher Graduated from Loughborough University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with a Diploma in Professional Studies. In the UK he has worked at a number of different schools in Essex teaching Economics and Business studies.
He has worked as head of the Economics department at Colchester County High School for Girls for the past 4 years and has completed the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership. He has also worked as head of department for Business and Economics at Epsom College in Malaysia

Aaron Mitchell

Aaron Mitchell graduated from Brighton University with a BA (Hons) in Geography and proceeded to complete his PGCE at UCL the following year.

Aaron has been teaching for 5 years and has taught in the UK andThailand. His teaching has covered key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and has experience in GCSE, iGCSE, A Levels and International Baccalaureate (IB). In his previous two schools, he has taken on the role of Head of House as well as Head of Year 7 in his first school. Furthermore, he has a passion for PE and has run the girls football teams at Garden International Rayong for the past year and a half.