When did you join RGS Prep?

I joined RGS Prep in September 2021

What is your role within RGS Prep?

I am a Year 3  teacher and the RGSGI Schools Collaboration Co-ordinator.

What does the role of International Schools Collaboration Coordinator entail? 

My role involves making links and collaborative experiences for students and teachers with our international schools.  I was excited by the opportunity to find ways for students to see how although our schools are wide apart, we all share similar values. I want to provide students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and celebrate our similarities and differences.

Have you ever experienced working abroad and if so, where were you and what was that like for you? 

Yes, I taught in an international school in Shanghai for 4 years. I absolutely loved the opportunity to teach a range of students from different countries and cultures as well as having the opportunity to travel around Asia.

What are three goals you are working towards in this role? 

1. Linking year groups together with our international schools.
2. Finding fun and collaborative tasks to excite and join students together.
3. Allowing students to celebrate the similarities and differences between our schools.

How do you communicate with our international schools?  

I send lots of emails to staff members at our international schools, as well as having regular Teams meetings.

What has been your favourite collaborative international event so far? 

I loved watching the students share ideas about ‘What RGS means to them’ on a shared Padlet page. The students loved seeing the ideas appear from all of our schools and seeing the shared values.

If anyone has an idea for links between our schools, what should they do?  

All ideas are welcome! Send me an email or speak to me in person.

When did you join the RGS?

I started teaching at the RGS in September 2021.

What is your role within the RGS?

My primary role is as a Teacher of English and I have recently been appointed the RGSGI Schools Collaboration Coordinator.

What does the role of International Links Coordinator entail and why do you feel it is important to establish and develop links between our schools?

The role involves forging links between all the schools in the RGSGI family by connecting both staff and students. Encouraging teachers to collaborate across our schools is definitely an aim of mine as there is so much we can learn from each other and the specific contexts we work in. Fostering conversations between our students is also something I hope to accomplish. We live in an era in which international cooperation is essential for success in one’s professional life. Therefore, helping our students to build inter-continental relationships from a young age will only prove advantageous for them later on in life.

What about the role interested you to apply?

I was attracted to how open the brief is! It really allows me to develop ideas that will have an influence far beyond Guildford!

Have you ever experienced working abroad and if so, where were you and what was that like for you?

Yes, I taught in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This was my first experience of teaching in an international setting and it was amazing! Needless to say, the lifestyle in the city contributed to this but what was most rewarding for me was teaching students who had an international mindset from the beginning of their secondary school careers. It was obvious they did not feel limited by political borders and aspired to study and work in locations around the world. As a Teacher of English, this provided for an outlook on works of literature that was unique and unlike anything I’d experienced in the UK.

What do you think the future of our international schools looks like?

The future is, indeed, very promising! Education is a real strength of the British economy and if we can exercise our centuries-old experience of educating the best and the brightest, then why not? While teaching Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go here at the RGS, a student once said to our class that we all strive to leave a mark on humanity. Our school’s strong reputation will enable it to accomplish just that and in a transcendental manner that positively influences young people around the globe.

What are three goals you are working towards in this role?

At the moment, I am working towards organising live assemblies between the home school in Guildford and those abroad. It would be beneficial for students to hear how their counterparts in other countries are settling into RGS life and experiencing the elements that define our values and learning habits. I am also working towards creating a podcast series in which teachers can discuss innovative pedagogies they are using in their daily practice. As teachers, we often become accustomed to using strategies in lessons that we believe to be tried and tested. However, it can be incredibly invigorating to experiment with new techniques and listening to what colleagues across the RGSGI family of schools are implementing can play a significant role in this. The third goal I’m working towards is helping to organise our first international visit. A group of students from the Dubai school will be spending some time in Guildford while visiting the UK and providing them with an authentic experience of what it is like to attend our school will be a valuable undertaking.

How do you communicate with our international schools?

We’re very fortunate to be able to communicate via email, especially when our different time zones prove a hindrance! Also, in a post-COVID era, meetings via Microsoft Teams have become normalised and enable us to work together very easily.

What do you think we can learn from our international schools?

There are many ideas we can exchange, especially in terms of our teaching techniques with regard to digital learning. The facilities in our international schools are absolutely first-rate and seeing how everyone is making use of advancements in educational technology is certainly something we can hope to incorporate into our own practice.

If anyone has an idea for links between our schools, what should they do?

Email me, stop me in the corridor or come and seek me out in the English Department office! I’m always looking for new ideas!

When did you join the RGS?

September, 2018

What is your role within the RGS?

Head of PE & Swimming, Head of Lancaster House and RGSGI Schools Collaboration Co-ordinator

What does the role of International Links Coordinator entail and why do you feel it is important to establish and develop links between our schools?

The role is about creating global connections by organising collaborative experiences between the RGSG schools, facilitating cultural tours, joint projects, sporting fixtures and professional development opportunities for both students and teachers, promoting intercultural understanding and preparing students for a diverse world.

What about the role interested you to apply?

The role appealed to me because it offered the chance to bridge geographical gaps and highlight shared values among students from diverse backgrounds. I was drawn to creating opportunities for students to explore cultural diversity, fostering an environment where they could learn from each other’s traditions and appreciate both commonalities and differences. Plus, I also love organising!

Have you ever experienced working abroad and if so, where were you and what was that like for you?

I worked at Sherborne International for a number of years, where students from all around the world attended. It was amazing to teach and learn from different cultures – an experience I will never forget.

What do you think the future of our international schools looks like?

The future is looking bright as all schools are continuing to thrive and remain true to the fantastic RGS education they offer.

What are three goals you are working towards in this role?

In this role, my primary objectives revolve around fostering collaboration, promoting engagement, and facilitating cultural exchange. Firstly, I’m dedicated to enhancing communication and collaboration channels between schools and different year groups, aiming to create a seamless exchange of ideas and resources. Secondly, I’m focused on organising sporting competitions with our RGS international schools, as these events not only encourage physical activity and healthy competition but also strengthen bonds between students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Lastly, arranging an international visit is a key goal, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, broaden their global perspective, and forge meaningful connections with peers worldwide.

How do you communicate with our international schools?

Due to the time differences, the best way is through email. However, Teams meetings and phone calls are also effective

What do you think we can learn from our international schools?

Our international schools offer invaluable lessons in diversity, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.  These schools teach us the importance of embracing different perspectives, fostering empathy, and cultivating a sense of global citizenship. Moreover, they provide insights into innovative teaching methods, technological integration, and effective communication across borders. Ultimately, the experiences gleaned from international schools enrich our understanding of humanity and prepare us to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected society.

If anyone has an idea for links between our schools, what should they do?

I love new ideas, email or speak with me in person.

Helen is responsible for communications to all our community and manages the www.rgsconnect.com platform and Tudor Collection.