New Staff SY 2026-2027

Primary School

Lucy Mole, Class Teacher 

Ms Mole became a teacher in 2019 after completing a First Class degree in Childhood Studies, followed by her teacher training in the UK. She also holds a Master's in Education and, before teaching, worked in finance. She brings a wealth of experience from three international schools in Malaysia, where she has supported students in diverse school communities and held leadership roles, including Year Group Leader and subject leadership in Science, Maths, Phonics, and Humanities.

Ms Mole is a passionate and energetic teacher who enjoys creating a warm, inclusive classroom where all students feel happy, safe and confident to take risks in their learning. She is committed to nurturing curiosity, resilience and collaboration, and is particularly interested in sustainability and wellbeing, encouraging students to care for both themselves and the world around them. 

She is proud to be part of the BSM community and is excited to contribute to school life. Outside of school, she enjoys staying active with her daughters, Amelia and Maya, and looks forward to exploring the Philippines together as a family. 

Michelle Barnes-Robers, Early Years Teacher

Ms Michelle graduated from the University of Aberystwyth in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status. Since then, she has had a rewarding teaching career, working in both the UK and internationally in countries such as Thailand, the UAE, China, and Egypt.

She has extensive experience teaching across the full primary age range, from Pre-Nursery through to Year 6. Over the years, she has also taken on a range of leadership roles, including Year Group Leader and Head of EYFS/KS1. These experiences have strengthened her ability to identify and nurture strengths within teams, while consistently supporting students to achieve their full potential.

Ms Michelle has a particular passion for Early Years education. In 2020, she further enhanced her expertise by completing an Advanced Early Years teaching course. She subsequently spent five years teaching and leading Reception, where she focussed on creating a play-based, child-led learning environment. She is committed to developing the whole child—emotionally, socially, and academically—and enjoys bringing creativity into all aspects of her teaching.

Ms Michelle is delighted to be joining BSM and will be accompanied by her youngest daughter. Together, they share a love of cooking and trying new foods, as well as gardening, swimming, and reading. They are both excited to explore these interests further while embracing their new life in the Philippines.  

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Senior School

Emmy Gallagher, Deputy Head, Senior School

Mrs Gallagher is originally from the UK, where she began her teaching career in Yorkshire, and has spent the past decade working in China, where she has held whole-school senior leadership responsibilities across both pastoral and academic areas. She holds a Master’s in Teaching and Learning and completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2022. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Education, which focuses on supporting female leadership in schools.

She is a values-driven leader who believes that strong relationships, clear vision, and a positive school culture are key to success. Passionate about both well-being and high standards, she is committed to creating environments where students feel safe, confident, and inspired to achieve their best, while ensuring every child feels valued and celebrated.

As a mother of two children born in China, she brings a personal understanding of international school communities. She is a keen musician, playing the oboe and saxophone. Outside of school, she enjoys the gym, running, boxing, and a bit of KTV—where she’s never far from a power ballad by Adele.

Scott Abbott, Economics and Business Teacher

Mr Abbott’s journey began in the enchanting land of Wales, and his passion for international education took flight in Shanghai. This experience sparked his lifelong interest in teaching overseas. With more than a decade of experience, he has taught in vibrant locations such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, and, most recently, the fashion capital of Milan, Italy.

As an experienced IBDP teacher, he enjoys serving as an Extended Essay supervisor and contributing to after-school activities. Mr Abbott values inquiry-based learning and student-led discussions, providing tools and inspiration for students to explore topics deeply. A graduate of Cardiff University and Coventry University, Mr Abbott holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies. He is excited to join the BSM community and is committed to making a difference in the Philippines with his Filipina‑American wife. When he's not shaping young minds, you'll find him indulging in long walks, playing trivia, or cheering loudly for Liverpool FC.
 

Aaron McCullogh, Global Politics and Humanities Teacher

Aaron McCullough began his teaching career in 2014 after briefly working as an accountant following his graduation from Queen’s University Belfast. Growing up in Ireland, he developed an early love of History and Politics, inspired by two outstanding teachers during his school years in Belfast who helped shape the path he would later follow.

Since then, Aaron has built a broad range of experience in international education, teaching students across AP, IB, IGCSE, and A-Level programmes. He holds degrees in Modern History and International Relations, along with postgraduate qualifications in Educational Technology, Leading Teacher Development, a PGCE in History Education, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and Leeds Beckett University. His teaching has also been recognised with awards from Oxford and Cambridge for excellence in education.

Aaron is passionate about creating a classroom where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to be curious about the world around them. He enjoys helping young people think critically, explore different perspectives, and grow in confidence through enquiry-based learning. Outside school, he loves travelling, learning languages, cooking, reading, board games, football, and boxing, which he competed in when he was younger. 

He is delighted to be joining the BSM community and is very much looking forward to starting this new chapter in Manila.

Kiruba Janani, Senior Computer Science and Technology Teacher

Ms Janani became a teacher in 2015 after working as a software engineer and trainer. She brings a strong combination of technical expertise, international experience, and a deep commitment to student learning. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science, a Master’s in Library and Information Science, and a Teaching License from Washington, DC

Her work in international schools across China, India, and South Korea has included technology integration, coaching, digital citizenship, Google for Education, standards-based reporting, and systems administration.

Ms Janani is passionate about using technology to enrich learning by making it more purposeful, inclusive, and engaging. She is committed to helping students develop curiosity, confidence, and responsible digital habits, while supporting teachers to use technology in creative and meaningful ways. Her professional accomplishments include leading teacher professional development, advancing game-based learning through virtual reality and assistive technology, and contributing to major whole-school initiatives, including CIS accreditation and the DEIJB committee. 

Beyond the classroom, she enjoys dancing and arts & crafts.

Alvaro Durán, Spanish Teacher

Mr Durán grew up in Algeciras, a coastal town in southern Spain. From an early age, he discovered his passion for helping others, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Education. After completing his teaching degree, he continued his academic journey and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.

The turning point came during an Erasmus University Exchange in Linz, Austria. He picked up German, got acquainted with a new culture, and came back with one clear takeaway: he wanted to see more of the world.

Since then, his teaching career has taken him across three countries - IBDP Spanish in a small town in northern Germany, PYP Spanish at Sotogrande International School in Spain, and, for the past five years, IGCSE/IBDP Spanish in Mumbai, India. 

Outside the classroom, he reads, plays and coaches football and padel, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Paige Kavanagh, Physical Education Teacher

Ms Kavanagh is looking forward to joining BSM in 2026. She grew up in the countryside in the UK, where she spent most of her time outdoors playing sports and keeping active. From a young age, she developed a love of football and has played since she was six years old, later competing in the Women’s National League in the UK.

After graduating from the University of Bedfordshire in 2012, Ms Kavanagh spent six years teaching in the UK. During this time, she developed a strong interest in pastoral care and the role sport and physical education can play in building confidence, resilience and positive mental health in young people.

Her interest in new cultures and experiences later took her to Shanghai, China, where she worked as Head of Department and helped to challenge traditional perceptions of PE and sport in schools. During her four years there, she was able to travel widely across Asia and beyond, including visits to the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

Alongside football, Miss Kavanagh has also trained in boxing and, after moving to Shanghai, took up rugby and AFL. She enjoys encouraging students to try new sports and believes that PE should give everyone the confidence to be active in a way that suits them. 

Karin Van Orman, English Teacher

Ms Van Orman is from a Vermont town known as much for its cheddar cheese and maple syrup as for its appeal to authors and artists. Her upbringing taught her practicality, resourcefulness, and a love of all things literary. She is both Canadian and American, and is always pleased to encounter someone who speaks French so she can practice.

Ms Van Orman prides herself on making the English classroom a place where all students can take risks, think critically, and enjoy adventures in language and literature. Whether her roles involved teaching, leadership or pastoral care, Ms Van Orman has always been drawn to schools with a strong international and multicultural presence. After teaching at secondary schools for six years and obtaining her teaching license and an MA in Secondary Education, Ms Van Orman taught MA-level courses at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, where she also earned her PhD in English Education. 

Although Ms Van Orman only intended to stay in Manila for a year or two when she arrived in 2013, she fell for the charms of living here and is pleased to call the Philippines home. She is delighted to be a member of the BSM community and to share her love of learning with her students. When she’s not teaching, reading, or spending time with her two children, Ms Van Orman can often be found in her pottery room attempting to make something beautiful.

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Whole School

Frank Sambula Jr, School Counsellor

Mr Frank completed a Master's degree in Counsellor Education from Lehman College, City University of New York in 2018. Before earning his degree, he spent over 15 years providing pastoral care in a faith-based community. Also, he is a proud member of the International School Counsellor Association, ISCA.

As a school counsellor, he served students and families in an independent school in New York, USA, and international schools in Guangzhou, China, and Bangkok, Thailand.

In his experience, he’s provided individual and group counselling, social-emotional lessons on emotional regulation, building healthy relationships, and safeguarding, among other topics, as well as parent workshops.

Mr Frank is enthusiastic about students’ well-being and enjoys not only teaching but also modelling care and kindness. Along with academics, he believes that delivering life skills to students is essential to becoming an impactful global citizen.

Mr Frank is excited to live in the Philippines with his wife and to be a part of the BSM community.

Javier Galvan Collado, Physical Education Teacher

Javier was born in Málaga, Spain. He holds a degree in Primary Education with a specialisation in Physical Education from the University of Málaga and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and Digital Competence from the International University of La Rioja.

In 2019, Javier moved to Ireland, where he worked for four years in an international school, teaching students from Early Years to Secondary. This experience strengthened his ability to work in multicultural environments and to support diverse learning needs.

Javier initially joined BSM as a part-time Spanish teacher. He is passionate about teaching the Spanish language and sharing the richness of Hispanic culture with his students. He believes that learning a language helps develop curiosity, confidence and global awareness.

Outside the classroom, Javier enjoys playing sports, especially football, as well as reading and travelling. These interests contribute to the energy and enthusiasm he brings to his teaching.

Javier is committed to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel inspired, confident and encouraged to grow as lifelong learners.

Cathy French, Speech Language Pathologist 

Cathy French holds a Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology and a Bachelor’s of Science in Honours Mathematics and Statistics. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist for approximately 14 years in a variety of settings around the world, supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. Her experience includes roles in international schools, government departments of health, and clinics in the Canadian Arctic, Bermuda, Thailand, Cambodia and Egypt.

Cathy takes a holistic approach to developing communication skills, recognising their importance for a child’s confidence, relationships and learning. She works closely with families and school staff, using practical, child-centred strategies that can be applied in everyday life.

She has completed extensive professional training across early years, school-age language and literacy, and specialised areas such as autism, stuttering, AAC, hearing differences and motor speech.

Outside of work, Cathy enjoys yoga and travelling, and values the perspective this brings to her work.

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New Roles

Richard Hunt, Head of Outdoor Education

Mr Hunt began his teaching career in 1997 and joined BSM in 2001. He has a BA (Hons) degree in Recreation & Leisure Management and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Before BSM, Mr Hunt taught in the UK and New Zealand. He believes that education and the role of educators are to provide a hands-on, student-centred, experiential learning journey that develops people's curiosity, problem-solving and collaborative skills. He facilitates learning which is fun, engaging, progressive and challenging, allowing young people to explore their own interests, take risks and become kind and caring members of the community.

Mr Hunt’s favourite part of working at BSM is interacting with the broad range of students and staff that make up the collective community. He has held a variety of roles at BSM, such as Service & Sustainability Leader, Health & Safety Officer, ASA coordinator, and Global Nomads Coordinator. Mr Hunt is proud of having spearheaded partnerships that help year groups across the school with their service learning projects, being the first person to run the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in the Philippines and of delivering First Aid training to a wide range of learners both within and beyond the immediate BSM community. Spare time sees Mr Hunt surfing typhoon swells and climbing mountains around the Philippines.