Principal and CEO
Philip Couzens
BSc and ARCS in Mathematics from Imperial College, London and PGCE (Distinction) Churchill College, Cambridge
Philip Couzens has held senior posts for more than 30 years at one of England’s
top independent schools and has been a Governor of two others. With twenty
years’ experience as a school inspector of both UK and international schools
and as a mathematician with a long standing interest in IT and computing, his
work has spanned the academic, pastoral and development aspects of schools,
latterly taking him into the international arena where he has built up a great
affinity with Asia and particularly Malaysia.
Deputy Principal
Dr Bruce McDowell
BSc and PhD in Physiology from Queen Mary College, London
Dr Bruce McDowell a biomedical research scientist by background, has 22 years’
teaching experience at the same top independent school. He has taught biology,
been Head of Year and set up a large and successful A level psychology
department. He has recently completed 15 years as a boarding Housemaster. His
experience covers the full range within a school and his goals are concerned
with the intellectual and personal growth of those in his care.
Director of Studies
Atthar Malik
MSci in Mathematics from Imperial College, London QTS
After cutting his teeth in London schools Atthar went on to lead mathematics teachers as a consultant teacher in the UAE from the UK based Specialist Schools Trust. He worked across 21 schools providing professional development and curriculum support. He is a keen artist (painting, mosaics and calligraphy), Arabic scholar and football enthusiast.
Business Manager
Elysia Ong
LLB Hons, LLM (King's College, London) Solicitor (UK)
Born and bred in Penang and someone who attended an international school herself, Elysia has spent the last eight and a half years in London where she read Law in Kings College London. She went on to read a Masters in Law at the same establishment and recently qualified as a Solicitor in London at the beginning of the year. Her legal background will serve as good grounding for this new career path as the Business Manager of POWIIS. Her goals include ensuring that POWIIS is equipped with state of the art systems which will serve teachers, students and administration staff alike, resulting in a supportive and efficient learning environment.