Meet our Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Dinah Hawtree

Principal

Mrs Hawtree joined POWIIS in August 2020. Her previous leadership experience spans 6 schools and 3 continents, having led schools in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as in Asia (in the Philippines, Thailand and China). Outside of school, Mrs Hawtree enjoys sport; she plays rugby, squash and badminton, scuba-dives and cycles, and she also appreciates the arts; she loves impressionist art and musical theatre.

Tim Lyons

Business Manager

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Jenn Blais

Deputy Principal

Ms Blais joined POWIIS in 2021. Prior to moving to Malaysia, she was living in Thailand and has taught students from KS2 through KS4. Outside of school, Ms Blais enjoys cooking, swimming and all things theatre.

Wendy Clarke

Deputy Principal

Mrs Clarke joined POWIIS in 2015. Prior to moving to Penang she worked in Kuala Lumpur and the UK, where she taught maths and further maths from key stage 3 to A Level. Outside of school Mrs Clarke enjoys travelling, hiking and completing jigsaw puzzles.

Peter Roberts

Deputy Principal

Mr Hodge has been at POWIIS since 2017. Prior to moving to Penang, he had spent 16 years teaching design and technology in the UK as well as holding leadership positions in both academic and pastoral care. Mr Hodge enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, as well as Crossfit, hiking and triathlons.

Stephanie Jacob

Personal Assistant to Principal

Evelyn joined POWIIS in 2022. She has nearly 20 years of experience in Admin, HR & Managerial positions in various industries. She has a passion for Indian cooking and loves exploring recipes of different cuisines.

Rosanidawati Haron

SLT Admin Executive

Coming Soon

Jessica Chan

Admin Support for Business Manager

Coming Soon

Pastoral Team

Virginie Galy

Head of Key Stage 3

Miss Glossop joined POWIIS in 2015 She had previously worked in a variety of schools and education settings across the UK where she has taught Design and Technology and Art. Outside school, Miss Glossop enjoys exploring Penang with her young children, reading and running.

Sam Shadbolt

Head of Key Stage 4

Mr Sullivan joined POWIIS in 2019, following two years of teaching English in Abu Dhabi. Before that, he worked as an English teacher in the UK for three years. Mr Sullivan enjoys watching football, reading novels, and playing table tennis.

Ross Furmedge

Head of Key Stage 5 / Sixth Form

Vicki Small

Deputy Head of KS3

Ms Barrell joined POWIIS in 2022. Previously, she taught History in Laos and has also worked at an international school in Abu Dhabi. Outside of school, she enjoys sports, such as swimming and running, as well as painting and art.

David Griffiths

Deputy Head of KS4

Mr Elder joined POWIIS in January 2022. Prior to moving to Penang he has worked as primary teacher, secondary teacher, and department manager in New Zealand, Ghanaian, and Tanzanian schools. His main teaching subject is economics. He also spent 9 years in the Finance Industry. Mr Elder enjoys family connections, sport, supporting the All Blacks rugby team, and restoring classic cars.

Boarding

Khalifah Bennett

Head of Girls’ Boarding / SEN Co-ordinator

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Mathew Eccles

Head of Boys’ Boarding

Jenn Blais

Boarding Hall Tutor

Khoo Shin Wei

Boarding Hall Tutor

Mr Edwin Lim has joined POWIIS since 2012. Prior to working at POWIIS, he taught in the local schools in Malaysia and organized teams to compete in a number of competitions. Outside school, Mr Edwin Lim enjoys badminton and cycling.

Maria Fourie

Boarding Hall Tutor

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Alice O’Mahony

Boarding Hall Tutor

Ms O’Mahony joined POWIIS in 2019. Before training to become a teacher she worked in the UK for 18 years as a specialist in autism. Outside school Ms O’Mahony loves sport particularly football and skateboarding and would also like to learn more about motorbike mechanics.

Philip Odeny

Boarding Hall Tutor

Andrew Llewellyn

Boarding Hall Tutor

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Hamidi Ibrahim

Boarding Hall Tutor

Lim Lai Hock

Boarding Hall Tutor

Tom Mitchell

Boarding Hall Tutor

Student Support Team

Dee Ying Leong

Director of POWIIS Arts Academy

Peter Bekker

University and Careers Guidance Counsellor

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Khalifah Bennett

SEN Co-ordinator

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Alan Reeves

EAL Coordinator

Megaaneesh Sundrasagran

SENTA

Simon Chandler

Extended Learning Co-ordinator

Josephine Casaccio

School Counsellor,
PSHE Co-ordinator

Tom Mitchell

House Leader (Aqua)

Claudia Brett

House Leader (Ventus)

Lu Weilin

House Leader (Ignis)

Mr Dolman joined POWIIS in August of 2021. Prior to this, he spent 22 years teaching in and leading English and Media departments in his native Northumberland; he has taught both English Literature and Language at all key stages as well as teaching Media and Film Studies. Mr Dolman is a keen outdoorsman and martial artist, passions which are shared by his wife and son.

Vicki Small

House Leader (Terra)

Tavis King

School Counsellor

Edwin Lim

Enrichment Coordinator

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Littly Sacker

Foundation Programme Teacher

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Noor Eliani

Librarian

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Normawar Binti Ahmad Marzuki

Assistant Librarian (part-time)

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Katijah Binti Marsuki

Matron

Nur Affini Binti Abdul Rasid

Matron

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Shamila Sivaraman

Matron

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Athyira Marshood

Matron

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Faaizah

Matron

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Noor Hidayah

Nurse

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Arts Curriculum Area

Katherine O’Hanlon

Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Mrs O’Hanlon joined POWIIS in 2021. She previously worked for 12 years in the UK, teaching art and photography. She enjoys travelling, visiting art galleries, hiking and spending time at the beach collecting shells and looking for interesting creatures with her two children.

Keigan Page

Deputy Curriculum Leader/ Teacher

Jennifer Woolgar

Deputy Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Ms Woolgar joined POWIIS in 2018. She previously worked with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and has taught both Music and Drama in the UK and Vietnam. Ms Woolgar enjoys playing hockey, being underwater and discovering new insects, specifically beetles.

Michael Hope

Teacher

Coming Soon.

Carolyn Reeves

Teacher

Coming Soon.

Jenn Blais

Teacher

Ross Furmedge

Teacher

Dr Noor Qadri joins POWIIS in August 2022. Dr Qadri has taught Secondary Mathematics, Science and Design and Technology subjects for 10 years in England. Before coming to POWIIS, he was teaching in China since 2008 as a Mathematics, Science and Design and Technology Teacher. He likes cooking Indian and Malaysian curries, cycling around the city, visiting archaeological sites, horse riding and making wooden toys. In his free time, he would occasionally go to play Billiards and Bowling.

Shauni Kaur

Performing Arts Technical Coordinator & Trainer

Ms Shauni has been at POWIIS since 2013. She had previously worked as a recording studio assistant at KDU College Penang. Outside school, she enjoys reading and discovering new fantasy book series to binge read.

Conrad King

Audio-Visual & Digital Media Specialist

Coming Soon

Mohd Nizam bin Abd Hamid

Arts Technician & Training Coordinator

Coming Soon

Mr Kam joined POWIIS in 2014. He was previously a music lecturer and subsequently headed the music department at Universiti Sains Malaysia prior to joining POWIIS. He enjoys plastic aircraft modeling.

Humanities Curriculum Area

James Elder

Curriculum Leader/Teacher

David Griffiths

Deputy Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Darren Lim Jen Zen

Assistant Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Mr. Lim has been teaching geography at POWIIS ever since it welcomed its first cohort of students in 2011, and was key in establishing the school as the regional host of the World Scholar’s Cup program. While this was his first experience working in an international school setting, he has previously taught Malay Language, geography and history at local secondary schools in Penang. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Lim enjoys travelling and singing as well as writing the occasional film review.

Salam Atallah

Teacher

Mr Odeny joined POWIIS in 2016. Prior to moving to Penang, he spent 15 years teaching MYP Integrated Humanities, IBDP Business management, IGCSE Business Studies and Economics and Global Perspectives in Botswana, Kenya and Kazakhstan. Outside school, Mr Odeny enjoys spending time with his family, as well as watching football, travelling and riding motorcycles.

Vicki Small

Teacher

Philip Odeny

Teacher

Simon Chandler

Teacher

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Cate Amsdorf

Teacher

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Tavis King

Teacher

Mrs Atallah joined POWIIS in 2022. She has been teaching Geography and German for 18 years in the UK, China and Egypt, as well as working in pastoral middle leader roles. Mrs Atallah enjoys crochet and making all kinds of things with yarn, and whenever she is able to she will jump into the ocean for some diving adventures.

Languages and Culture Curriculum Area

Philip Emm

Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Mr Emm joined POWIIS in 2022. Mr Emm is an energetic, resourceful, and warm hearted English teacher with significant international teaching experience, including 5 years teaching in international schools and 6 years teaching English in South Korea and central London. Mr Emm enjoys cycling, miniature collecting and painting, hiking, traveling and food!

Alan Reeves

Deputy Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Lu Weilin

Assistant Curriculum Leader/ Teacher

Andrew Llewellyn

Assistant Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Mr Llewelyn has been at POWIIS since 2020. Before moving to Penang, he taught Spanish, French, Japanese and EAL in Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong. Mr Llewellyn is a PADI Assistant diving Instructor and is keen to enthuse members of the POWIIS community about the joys of the underwater world. Mr Llewellyn also enjoys cycling, swimming and of course the culinary delights of Penang.

John Cranwell

Teacher

Mr Cranwell joined us in January 2014 having had lengthy stints in Botswana, The Bahamas and Zimbabwe; as well as shorter tours in Saudi Arabia, and Brunei; along with many years in the UK. John has taught English and been an examiner for both Cambridge A level and IELTS. He loves travel and Penang in particular; and is a keen golfer, cricketer and thespian.

Lily Clubb

Teacher

Ms Galy has been part of Powiis since 2016 as a teacher of modern foreign languages. Prior to joining our school, she has worked six years in China and two years in Malaysia, teaching French to young adults and children. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming, and discovering more about Malaysia and South-East Asia.

Matthew Paterson

Teacher

Claudia Brett

Teacher

Sherry Yishuai Hu

Teacher

Mrs Hu joined POWIIS in 2019. She had previously worked at international schools in China, Thailand and Malaysia, where she had taught Mandarin to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Outside school Mrs Hu enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures.

(Wani) Nursyazwani Abdul Majid

Teacher

Ms Nursyazwani has been at POWIIS since 2013. She had previously worked at ONI Global (Malaysia) before joining the POWIIS community as a Bahasa Malaysia teacher. In her spare time, she loves trying out new recipes and spending time with her family.

Hamidi Ibrahim

Teacher

Mr Ibrahim joined POWIIS in 2011. He had previously worked in the government school, where he had taught both English and Science at the primary level. Outside school Mr Ibrahim enjoys fishing, indoor games, and gardening, as well as spending time with his two cats.

Virginie Galy

Teacher

Math & IT Curriculum Area

Martin Clarke

Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Mr Clarke joined POWIIS in 2017. Prior to joining the school, he had previously worked as a maths teacher in KL and in Nottingham back in the UK. Mr Clarke has a passion for the great outdoors; whether that be gardening, golfing or travelling to see the many amazing creatures that live in Asia.

Ted Fitzpatrick

Deputy Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Dr FitzPatrick joined POWIIS in 2021. He previously worked in Ireland, UK, Kazakhstan and Portugal, where he taught Maths, Physics and Computers from KS3 to A-Levels, including the IB. In his spare time, Dr FitzPatrick likes to publish books, as well as to play games such as football, basketball and tennis.

Lim Lai Hock

Assistant Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Mr Lim joined POWIIS in 2014. Before joining POWIIS, he worked as a civil engineer, since joining POWIIS he had taught both maths and physics from KS3 to A level. Outside school Mr Lim enjoys hiking, scuba diving and stargazing as well as spending time playing percussion in various orchestras.

Ian Withers

Teacher

Mr. Withers joined POWIIS in 2020. He had previously worked in the UK, Kuwait and Dubai, where he had taught both maths and economics from KS3 to ‘A’ level. Outside school Mr. Withers enjoys jogging and current affairs, as well as spending time with his family.

Lee Chun Howe

Teacher

Mr Lee joined POWIIS in 2013. He teaches A-level mathematics and further mathematics. Outside school Mr Lee spends his time playing the oboe and performing with various musical ensembles in Malaysia.

Jonathan Gordon

Teacher

Mr Gordon joined POWIIS in 2019. He had previously been head of department in the UK teaching mathematics from KS3 to A level. Outside of school Mr Gordon enjoys all sports, especially football, and is a passionate supporter of Nottingham Forest football club.

Matthew Eccles

Teacher

Mr Eccles has been at POWIIS since 2014. Prior to moving to Penang, he completed his training in the UK and spent three years working as a volunteer teaching mathematics in schools in the US and the UK. Mr Eccles has a passion for football – watching, playing and coaching – and has attended coaching courses in both the UK and Barcelona.

Alice O’Mahony

Teacher

Odaly Fernandez

Teacher

Mr Lee joined POWIIS in 2013. He teaches A-level mathematics and further mathematics. Outside school Mr Lee spends his time playing the oboe and performing with various musical ensembles in Malaysia.

Wendy Clarke

Teacher

PE & Sport Curriculum Area

Lynley Russek

Curriculum Leader / Teacher

Ms. Russek joined POWIIS in August 2022. She had previously worked in Ghana, Tanzania and New Zealand, where she mainly taught Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Health, while also having had short stints in Leadership. Ms. Russek loves spending time with family, dancing, reading, coaching, and being in nature.

Matt McEwan

Deputy Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Matt Deegan joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in England, Spain, Kenya, Indonesia, south Korea and UAE over the last 30 years. Matt enjoys travel, hiking, cycling and following all sports.

Edwin Lim

Teacher

Alice O’Mahony

Teacher

Peter Roberts

Teacher

Iskandar Sohaimi

PE Teaching Assistant

Khoo Shin Wei

Lifeguard/Swim Coach

Science Curriculum Area

Sian Bradshaw

Curriculum Leader/ Teacher

Ms Bradshaw has been at POWIIS since 2018. She had previously worked in another international school in Malaysia, as well as comprehensive schools in Wales. Outside school Ms Bradshaw enjoys running, supporting Scarlets and Wales rugby teams, and walking her dog.

Shakeel Sheikh

Deputy Curriculum Leader/Teacher

Dr. Sheikh has been at POWIIS since 2022. Prior to moving to Penang he worked and lived in Shanghai and the middle east as a head of chemistry for 19 years. He has 3 children who are working and one daughter with him here in Penang.

Maria Fourie

Assistant Curriculum Leader/ Teacher

Ms Smith joined POWIIS in 2020 direct from the UK, having never been to Asia before. Prior to this she taught physics for 12 years in the British state school system and was looking for a new adventure once her own children had grown up. Ms Smith moved to Malaysia for the opportunity to travel in the area and experience the beaches, snorkelling, local wildlife and, of course, the food.

Toh Eu Shern

Teacher

Mr Toh joined POWIIS in January 2022. After graduating from Imperial College London, he worked in an international school in Kampar, Perak where he taught science and maths before making his way back to his hometown of Penang to join us. In his free time, he enjoys playing Frisbee, board games and hiking.

Nisha Chitroda

Teacher

Ms Gurdeep joined POWIIS in 2022. Prior to this, she worked in various International Schools in Penang and India where she taught Chemistry and Physics from KS3 to A-levels. She has also taught CAIE A-levels at a prestigious college in Penang. Outside of school her interests lie in looking into the welfare of animals. Her idea of a chill out day is spending time with her 5 rescued cats.

Julie Smith

Teacher

Mr Abbott joined POWIIS in 2016. He had previously worked in the United Kingdom where he taught biology. Mr Abbott enjoys scuba diving and underwater videography.

Tom Mitchell

Teacher

Mrs Rilon joined POWIIS in 2018. She had previously worked in Leeds, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where she taught biology and chemistry. Mrs Rilon enjoys music and travel.

Geoffrey Bourton

Teacher

Ms Kim joined POWIIS in 2020. Ms Kim has experience of teaching chemistry in UK, Fiji and Korea spanning three continents. Ms Kim is passionate about education and demands the best from all of her students. When she is not in the laboratory, she enjoys hiking, travelling and is learning to play golf.

Sam Shadbolt

Teacher

Qutnina Jaafar

Lab Technician

Nur Syuhadah

Lab Technician

Mrs Rilon joined POWIIS in 2018. She had previously worked in Leeds, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where she taught biology and chemistry. Mrs Rilon enjoys music and travel.

Chong Rui Jack

Lab Technician

Mr Abbott joined POWIIS in 2016. He had previously worked in the United Kingdom where he taught biology. Mr Abbott enjoys scuba diving and underwater videography.

Administration

Elysia Ong

CEO of MTT Learning Academy

Coming Soon

Tim Lyons

Business & Operations Manager

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Clestine Chan

PA to CEO

Coming Soon

Michelle Goh

Registrar

DID: 04-8689 813 Email: [email protected]

Mogneswary Rajendren

Senior Student Services Officer

DID: 04-8689 820 Email: [email protected]

Syuhaidah Binti Suhami

Front of House Cum Student Services Officer

Coming Soon

Masyitah Binti Abdul Malik

Front of House cum Student Services Officer

Coming Soon

Muhammad Fazli Bin Abdul Rahim

Maintenance Supervisor

Coming Soon

Muhammad Fadhil Bin Razak

Maintenance Supervisor

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Mohamad Izuddin Bin Roslan

Maintenance Technician

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Navin Muthukrisnan

Maintenance Technician

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Roziyana Binti Mohd Yaacob (Gina)

Assistant Group Finance Manager

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.

Cynthia Chan

Account & Administration Executive

Coming Soon

Rou Siang Ooi

Accounts Executive

Coming soon

Geik Siew Thum

Finance Executive

Coming Soon

Priya Elangovan

HR Manager

Coming Soon

Santhi Kunjiraman

Senior HR Executive

Coming Soon

Pashvinder Kaur

HR Executive

Coming Soon

Carlson Doss

IT Manager

Coming Soon

Dineswaran Subramaniam

IT Engineer

Mr Colton joined POWIIS in 2019. He has previously worked in the UK, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Jordan and Shanghai. He is a keen sports enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his family.