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Open Day on 07 May
At Berda Claude International School in Phuket, our dedicated British and French staff bring learning to life by making it personal and impactful for every student. By fostering a culture of independence and resilience, they empower students to develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed both now and in the future. Through seamless collaboration, our educators ensure each student feels supported and celebrated, guiding them on a journey of growth and success.
Jeremy Southgate
Executive Principal
Casey Barnes
Cambridge Programme Principal
Aymeric Nocella
Proviseur / French-International Programme Principal
Chris Lapworth
Head of Secondary School
Jeremy Sinsimer
Head of the Primary Cambridge Programme
Charlotte Abeille
Head of Primary of the French School
John Murphy
Year 5 Blue Homeroom Teacher
Cedric Grondin
Well-being Coordinator
Lauren Crowley
Deputy Head of Secondary
Martin Keenan
Year 3 Green Homeroom
Michelle Ring
Whole School Counsellor, DSL and student support
Adrianne Daniels
Deputy Head of Primary Cambridge Programme
Andrew Middleton
Head of Inclusion
Jeremy Southgate is the Executive Principal at BCIS Phuket. He is honoured to join such a dynamic and forward-thinking school and is excited about the journey ahead. With a passion for education, Jeremy has worked in some of the most respected institutions worldwide. He has served as Pastoral Lead at The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Boys in Abu Dhabi and as Executive Principal at Vinschool in Hanoi. His journey also brought him to Thailand, where he spent eight wonderful years at Harrow International School in Bangkok. Thailand holds a special place in his heart, and returning here feels like coming home.
Mr Jeremy believes that kindness, respect and trust are the foundations of a thriving school community. He is committed to fostering an environment where students feel safe, valued and inspired to reach their full potential. His leadership approach centers on collaboration, open communication and strong partnerships between the school and families to create a space where every student can flourish.
Since 1997, Casey Barnes has been dedicated to education, beginning her journey as a sailing instructor. Over the years, she has taught and led in multiple countries, serving as a sailing instructor, teacher, teacher trainer and school leader. She spent many years as a university professor in South Korea before joining a small international school in Vietnam.
As a passionate and committed school leader, Casey has played a vital role in supporting and developing schools in Russia and Uzbekistan, serving as both Head of Secondary and Whole School Principal. Since 2022, she has been honored to contribute to the growth and development of the BCIS community, helping the school thrive and mature.
Aymeric Nocella is the Proviseur and French-International Programme Principal at BCIS Phuket. With a background in bilingual and international education, Mr Aymeric emphasizes student achievements, well-being and the development of international programs. Holding a master's degree in History and Geography from Paris-Sorbonne, he initially served as a History and Geography teacher before transitioning into the role of Secondary School Leader at a French-International School in New York.
Mr Aymeric takes immense pleasure in fostering a strong school community spirit, bringing together all members of the school to create a nurturing and collaborative environment. He thanks you for your interest in BCIS Phuket and looks forward to meeting you in person on campus, whether you are seeking information for enrollment or are already a parent of a student.
Chris Lapworth is the Head of Secondary School at BCIS Cambridge, bringing over 30 years of experience in education. He views education as an ever-evolving journey, aiming to ignite a love of learning, nurture talents and foster creativity. Mr Chris's leadership style emphasises compassion, positive reinforcement and leading by example, inspiring each student to shine.
At BCIS, Mr Chris oversees the IGCSE and A Level programs, leads the Cambridge Secondary School and serves as Designated Safeguarding Lead and Onsite Exam Officer. Before joining BCIS, he spent 15 years at Spotswood College in New Plymouth, NZ, as Deputy Head Principal and staff representative to the Board of Governors. His educational journey began in 1995 at Stourport High School in the UK, where he served as Head of Technology for 12 years, helping the school achieve top ten status in the UK in 2007.
Mr Chris remains passionate about nurturing a culture of excellence and inclusivity in education for future generations.
As the Head of Primary at BCIS Phuket, Jeremy Sinsimer is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where students and teachers feel supported, valued and inspired. He believes education should be inclusive, multilingual and enriched with creativity. With a background in visual arts, he champions strong arts programmes in primary education, ensuring students have opportunities to explore creative expression alongside academic growth. By understanding each student’s strengths and challenges, he helps them reach their full potential. His leadership focuses on collaboration, innovation and continuous support for educators. He works closely with teachers to enhance their professional development, providing the resources and encouragement needed for engaging, student-centred learning experiences. His goal is to cultivate a school culture where curiosity, critical thinking and artistic expression are integral to every child’s educational journey.
Charlotte Abeille has been the Head of Primary for the French Programme at BCIS since 2021. A qualified primary teacher since 2007, Ms Charlotte worked for 12 years in France before choosing to live and work abroad. She firmly believes that every child is unique and that the school's role is to nurture each student’s talents and strengths. She views school as a place of encounters, exchange and growth, where children can develop and build their future.
Ms Charlotte's role is to support each student and their family throughout their academic journey at BCIS, listening to them, guiding them and ensuring their success. As Head of Primary, she leads the French primary curriculum, ensures compliance with official guidelines, trains her teams and develops the strategic and educational plan for the program. She looks forward to meeting you at BCIS and engaging in meaningful discussions.
John Murphy is a UK-qualified educator with 17+ years of experience, currently teaching Year 5 Blue Homeroom at BCIS Phuket. As a dedicated Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), he brings expertise from three international schools, ensuring student safety, well-being and happiness. Mr John believes a secure environment is foundational to productive learning and positive school culture.
Based on the senior campus, he supports Upper Key Stage 2 students and teachers in the Cambridge curriculum while overseeing safeguarding schoolwide. He collaborates with staff, families and students to maintain rigorous safeguarding standards, fostering a community where everyone feels protected and valued.
Committed to proactive care, John ensures policies are upheld with empathy and vigilance. He welcomes open dialogue and is always available to address safeguarding concerns. His leadership reflects BCIS Phuket’s mission: nurturing confident learners in a safe, inclusive environment.
Cedric Grondin is the Well-Being Coordinator at BCIS Phuket, bringing many years of expertise in early years education and childhood development. With a deep passion for understanding the unique ways children learn and grow, Mr Cedric believes that every child thrives through individualised approaches to learning. His commitment to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for students has been a cornerstone of his career.
Now based in beautiful Phuket, Mr Cedric is excited to continue his work, supporting the well-being and development of children in the BCIS community. If you see him on campus, don’t hesitate to stop by and say hi—he’s always happy to connect.
Ms Lauren Crowley is the Deputy Head of Secondary at BCIS, now in her third year at the school. She feels privileged and honored to witness the school's growth and improvement year by year. Ms Lauren finds joy in observing the contributions of all community members and their lasting impact on students.
With experience in schools from Namibia to New Mexico to Thailand, each holds a special place in her heart. However, BCIS is what Ms Lauren and her children are proud of, and grateful to call home. She cherishes the sense of community and the positive environment at BCIS.
Mr Martin Keenan is originally from the UK and has spent the past decade living and working in Thailand, dedicated to delivering high-quality education. With a passion for student welfare and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, Mr Martin believes every child should feel safe, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
As Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Martin ensures the safety and well-being of all students by implementing robust safeguarding policies, providing guidance on child protection and maintaining a secure school environment. In addition to his safeguarding role, he serves as Year 3 Team Lead, supporting both students and colleagues in creating a collaborative and inclusive school community.
As a homeroom teacher, Mr Martin strives to make learning engaging, meaningful and student-centered, encouraging curiosity, resilience and a growth mindset in the classroom. He is committed to continuous professional development and the implementation of best practices in both safeguarding and education. Mr Martin looks forward to working closely with students, families and colleagues to ensure a safe, supportive and enriching school experience for all.
Michelle Ring is the Whole School Counsellor, Student Support Coordinator and Designated Safeguarding Lead at BCIS. Her focus is on ensuring every student feels safe, supported and happy—both inside and outside the classroom. Ms Michelle is passionate about creating a space where students can speak openly about personal or academic challenges. Through individual sessions and group activities, she helps them build confidence, resilience and coping strategies.
As Student Support Coordinator, Ms Michelle works with teachers, parents and staff to provide tailored support that meets each student’s unique needs. As Designated Safeguarding Lead, she promotes a culture of care and vigilance, ensuring everyone looks out for one another. Ms Michelle believes that when students feel secure and valued, they can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
Adrianne Daniels has over 13 years of experience in education, working in public schools in Maryland and Washington D.C. as well as private schools in Bangkok, Rayong and Phuket. She is certified in primary education with a focus on teaching English as an additional language and is passionate about fostering both academic and social-emotional growth in students.
Her leadership role allows her to support teachers and staff, ensuring they are equipped with best practices to create a positive learning environment. Having experienced language and cultural immersion firsthand, she values diversity and inclusion, embracing the rich backgrounds of students and staff. At BCIS she is committed to building a strong supportive school community where every learner feels empowered to succeed.
Andrew Middleton is the Head of Inclusion and SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) at BCIS. Originally from Birmingham, England, Andrew has worked in schools across different countries, including Brazil and Seychelles. In the UK, he specialised in teaching in Special Schools, working with students with autism, physical disabilities and hearing impairments.Â
Mr Andrew is passionate about understanding the unique learning needs of young people and collaborating with families to support their educational journeys. This is his first time in Thailand, and he and his family are enjoying every moment. Mr Andrew is excited to be part of the BCIS community and to help make the school even more inclusive. He believes in the importance of working together as a community and plans to offer parent workshops to engage, learn and share ideas on supporting students with learning needs.
Meet our dedicated leadership team and discover their passion for lifelong learning at BCIS school.
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