A message for our staff leavers and meet your new Senior School teachers. Year 11 put literature on trial and Manie Musicale 2026 BSM winners
A message for our staff leavers and meet your new Senior School teachers. Year 11 put literature on trial and Manie Musicale 2026 BSM winners
![A message for our staff leavers and meet your new Senior School teachers. Year 11 put literature on trial and Manie Musicale 2026 BSM winners]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777013206/britishschoolmanilaorg/leletmiwvtsj5kfvkjzh/SeniorSchoolNews_21.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777013206/britishschoolmanilaorg/leletmiwvtsj5kfvkjzh/SeniorSchoolNews_21.png","width":400}])
Dear families,
As with Primary school, we can also confirm who is sadly departing at the end of this academic year and who will be joining our BSM community.
Leavers
Mr Michael Guinness joined BSM in 2013 and has been an outstanding Geography and PSHE teacher for the past 13 years. During this time, he also served as a Head of Year for the majority of his tenure, before more recently focusing on his strategic role as Head of Service and Sustainability.
Michael has played a pivotal role in shaping our approach to service learning. Initiatives such as the impactful MAD Week experiences are a testament to his vision and commitment in this area. I also recently attended the 2026 TEDx event—another lasting legacy of Michael’s work—which showcased the depth of his influence within our community. As Michael and his husband Mark prepare for their move to the UK, we thank him for his significant contributions to BSM and wish them both every success in their future endeavours.
Mr Sam Puzey has been with us since 2019 and has served as a Head of Year for the past three years. A natural educator, Sam consistently ensures that his Economics and TOK lessons meet students where they are, combining thoughtful planning with genuine care. He brings human stories into his teaching through skilful questioning and a warm, engaging presence. His students know he values them, and we are deeply grateful for his significant contribution to the Pastoral team.
We also say farewell to Ms Thea Williams. In addition to teaching PSHE and Spanish across the Senior School, Thea has been a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team for the past six years. Her passion and determination to make the school a better place for every student will be a lasting legacy. She has supported the student body with clarity and compassion, continually seeking new ways to understand and meet student needs while strengthening our approach to world-class pastoral care. Her impact on colleagues has been equally meaningful, leaving our community stronger as a result. Thea, Sam, Isla and Otis are now heading to Africa, and we wish them every success and happiness in the next chapter of their family adventure.
Mr Kevin Nielsen has been our IB Coordinator since 2024. His deep knowledge of the inner workings of the International Baccalaureate Organisation has been invaluable, and his guidance, support and attention to detail have played a key role in our continued growth. Kevin was also instrumental in introducing Global Politics to our IB offering. He now departs for a new opportunity in Hong Kong with his wife, Lindsey and their sons, Simon and Alfie.
Since August 2025, Ms Rebecca Stanlake has been Head of Year 7 and a committed member of the PE, Health, and Well-Being team. Known for her positivity and ever-present smile around campus, she has provided thoughtful and consistent support to the students in her care. Rebecca will be leaving us earlier than planned due to family commitments, and we thank her for the contribution she has made during her time with us.
Mr Dan Turcotte joined the PE, Health, and Well-Being department in 2024. Dan has taught across all age groups whilst with us, and his passion for getting the students active has been infectious. His contribution to our extraordinary PE team is significant, and we will miss him as he heads to Mexico with Claudine and his children, Antoine and Eloi.
As is the nature of international schooling, alongside the sadness at departures is the excitement to welcome new colleagues to help the school develop even further. We are very pleased that some exceptional teachers will be joining us in August.
New Staff
Mr Aaron McCulloch will be joining the Humanities Department and will be teaching mainly History and Global Politics. Aaron is joining us from South Korea, where he has gained extensive experience in teaching across a number of IBDP subjects.
Also joining the Humanities team is Mr Scott Abbott. Scott is joining us from Milan, Italy, where he has been an IBDP Economics & Global Politics Teacher since 2024. Scott will be teaching Economics and Business Studies and will be accompanied by his wife Kimberley.
Mr Alvaro Durán will be our new Spanish teacher. Alvaro is currently teaching IBDP & IGCSE Spanish Teacher & Year 9 Pastoral Leader, and will be taking on a full timetable of Spanish as well as playing a role within our tutor team.
Joining the PE, Health, and Well-Being department is Ms Paige Kavanagh. Paige has a great deal of experience teaching in the international sector and is currently leading a number of year groups in China.
As we continue to develop our Technology provision, we are joined by Ms Janani Kiruba. She will be teaching Computer Science and contributing to the growing technology department. She is joining us from South Korea and will be accompanied by her husband, Navin and her son, Indralakshith, who will be joining Year 9.
Ms Karin Van Orman is already living in Manila and has called the city home for the last 13 years. We are delighted to have her join the English team. Karin is a highly experienced educator and has a Master's in Education as well as a PhD in English Education.
Ms Emily Gallagher will be joining us as a Deputy Head, responsible for Pastoral and Well-Being. Emily is currently working as a Head Teacher in the region and brings a wealth of experience to our school. She will be joined by her husband, Joel and children, Jancie and Ted.
Mr Frank Sambula Jr is currently a Senior Counsellor at the International School Bangkok. Frank brings a decade of experience working with international students and will be joining us along with his wife, Catherine.
We look forward to them joining us and welcoming them to our community.
We also have a number of current teachers who are taking on additional responsibilities across Senior School, and we will confirm those appointments in a future Lion's Roar.
Read more about our new teachers’ profiles here.
Kind regards,
Mark Attwood
Head of Senior School
English: Year 11 Put Literature on Trial
In the final week of class, Year 11 took part in a dynamic Literary Court, bringing their IGCSE texts to life through live courtroom trials.
Students placed characters from A Streetcar Named Desire and To Kill a Mockingbird under scrutiny. In one trial, Stanley Kowalski was accused of the emotional destruction of Blanche DuBois; in another, Mayella Ewell stood accused of condemning an innocent man.
The activity placed a strong emphasis on oracy, requiring students to speak clearly, argue persuasively, and respond to their peers in real time. Acting as lawyers and witnesses, judges and jurors, they worked collaboratively in teams to construct arguments, question opposing views, and support their ideas with precise textual evidence. The atmosphere was electric!
Some of the most powerful moments came when witnesses took the stand. Each time, the room fell into a noticeable hush as students listened closely, aware that the outcome of the trial depended on what was said next.
Students also experienced the challenge of speaking in front of their peers, often stepping outside their comfort zones to perform under pressure. As one student reflected, “It was nerve-wracking at first, but once you started speaking, you realised everyone was really listening.”
Through this process, students developed not only their understanding of character and interpretation, but also key skills in communication and confidence. It was a memorable and engaging way to prepare for their final examinations, and a reminder that literature is something to be debated and brought to life.
Manie Musicale 2026 BSM winners
Following an exciting month of musical discovery, our Manie Musicale journey concluded with a celebratory winners’ ceremony to celebrate achievements. Students across Years 5 to 8 had the opportunity to predict the outcomes of each round, and we were thrilled to recognise those with the most accurate brackets across the school.
Tap left or right to see more photos
The competition sparked fantastic engagement, with students not only enjoying a wide range of Francophone songs but also developing their listening skills and cultural awareness along the way. Congratulations to our winners, and well done to all students for their enthusiasm and participation throughout this lively and enriching project.
RELATED LINKS
- Senior School News