St. Julian's welcomes new Teachers

Dear St. Julian’s Community,

Please join me in welcoming our new teachers to the school for the next academic year. 

Alice Campbell is British and will join us from Yew Chung International School in Hong Kong, where she works as a Year 1 Class Teacher, having previously taught in Primary schools in the London area. Alice has a degree in Philosophy & Theology from the University of Nottingham and obtained her Primary PGCE from the Institute of Education, UCL. Alice describes her personal education philosophy as a fostering of curiosity, inclusivity and academic challenge, together with the provision of a happy learning environment for all children.

Ciaran Finnegan is British and will also join us from Yew Chung International School in Hong Kong, where he is currently working as Year 5 Team Leader, having previously taught in Primary schools in London. Ciaran has a degree in Fine Art and Illustration and a PGCE in Primary Education. Ciaran describes a teacher’s primary responsibility as to foster students’ innate intellectual curiosity, supporting them to become lifelong learners. Ciaran and Alice will relocate together.

Sarah Kilbane is British and will join us from New York, where for the past three years she has worked as a Reception Class Teacher and SEND Lead (Early Years), having previously taught in Primary Schools in Kuala Lumpur and London. Sarah has a degree in Geography from the University of Leicester and obtained her PGCE from the University of Reading. Sarah is currently undertaking a qualification to become a Forest School Leader and is a keen tennis player. Sarah will be relocating to Portugal with her husband, James.

Shane Gielty has dual British and Irish nationality and will join us from Belgium, where he has worked as a Primary Teacher (Grades 1 - 3) for the past seven years, having previously taught in schools in the UK and in Thailand. Shane has a degree in Sports Therapy and obtained his PGCE. In addition to teaching different grade levels, Shane is a qualified Mountain Leader (Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award) and was also a member of his school’s PYP steering committee that led to successful accreditation. Shane will be relocating to Portugal with his children. 

Cate Swift is our new Head of German. Cate is British and will join us from Ernest Bevin College, London, where she has worked as a Vice-Principal and Modern Foreign Languages teacher since 2018, having previously worked for seven years as an Assistant Headteacher and Head of Modern Foreign Languages in London. Cate has a degree in German and French from Oxford (Wadham College) and obtained her PGCE in German and French. With more than 20 years’ experience teaching German and French in schools in the London area, St Julian’s will be Cate’s first international posting.

Damien Blanchard will be teaching Economics and Business Studies and also taking on the post of Head of Humanities. Damien is British and will join us from Markham College in Lima, Peru, where for the past six years he has worked as Curriculum Designer, IB Economics Teacher and MUN Coordinator, having previously worked in international schools in Poland and Japan over the course of the last 16 years. Damien has a degree in Economics, Politics and American Studies from the University of Leeds, a Secondary Education PGCE and a Masters in Educational Leadership. Damien will be relocating to Portugal with his wife, Helena, and their children. 

Helen Waywell will be teaching Business Studies and Economics. Helen is British and will join us from Dubai, where she has held the positions of Head of Business and Economics and Extended Essay Coordinator. Helen has 13 years’ teaching experience, having previously worked in international schools in the UK and in Penang (Malaysia). Helen has a degree in Economics, a PGCE in Business and Economics Education and a Masters in Education and International Development, both obtained from the UCL’s Institute of Education. Helen will be relocating to Portugal with her husband, Alexander. 

Jacob Thorpe will be teaching History. Jacob is British and will join us from Croydon High School for Girls in South London, where he has taught History and been Head of House for the past three years, in addition to working on a number of ongoing whole school projects to celebrate and achieve inclusion. Jacob has a degree in History from the University of Portsmouth and a PGCE in History from the UCL’s Institute of Education, where he is also currently completing a Masters in History Education. St Julian’s will be Jacob’s first international posting. 

Leonie O’Keefe will be our new Head of Chemistry. Leonie is British and returns to Europe after spending six years teaching Science in international schools in Dubai. Leonie was Head of Assessment and Data for the Science department, in addition to being subject leader of Chemistry and ESS and teaching Science across Key Stages 3 to 5. Before moving to Dubai, Leonie taught in the UK. Leonie grew up in the Algarve and was herself an international school student.

Maria Raven-Rudd is our new School Counsellor, with a specific focus on the Secondary years. Maria is British and joins us from the British International School of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, where she has worked as Whole School Counsellor, having previously undertaken the same role in schools in the UK. Maria has a degree in Child & Adolescent Counselling, and extensive training in the areas of child protection & safeguarding (level 3), Social Emotional Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder provision (ASD), and has delivered school-based mindfulness programmes. She has experience of facilitating parental workshops and staff training sessions. Maria will be relocating to Portugal with her partner David. 

Naomi James will be our new Head of Design Technology. Naomi is British and joins us from Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she has taught DT since 2016, having previously worked in schools in Peru and in the UK. Naomi has a PGCE in Secondary Design and Technology from the University of Wales, Cardiff, in addition to holding a degree in Sports Science Health and PE from the same institution. Naomi also has experience in Outdoor Education, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and leading community service trips for students focusing on sustainability, in addition to being a surf kayak world champion (in 2009, as part of the Welsh surf kayak team) and an experienced climber. Naomi will be relocating to Portugal with her partner Richard and their children. 

Wishing them all the very best as they navigate the challenges of moving to a new country at this time! 

With best wishes,

Dr Nicola A Mason

Head of School