Leadership Team Profiles

Mr Andrew Coote

Avondale welcomes new principal Mr. Andrew Coote, who prior to Avondale was Head of Junior School at Ravenswood School for Girls, one of the top independent girl’s schools in Sydney, Australia. Mr Coote brings with him 29 years of teaching experience along with his strong leadership qualities, knowledge of the curriculum and passion for children’s holistic learning to Avondale, at a dynamic period of growth for the school.  

With his move to Avondale Mr Coote said 'It is indeed an honour to lead Avondale as it settles in at the new Phoenix Park facility. 2010 will be an exciting time as we all work together towards implementing the new Australian national curriculum and discovering what’s possible in 21st Century learning.'

Ms Louise Hand

Masters of Education University of Melbourne, Australia
Grad Dip (Student Welfare) University Melbourne, Australia
Diploma Teaching (Primary) Australian Catholic University, Australia

Ms Hand came to Singapore in January 2008 as she was recruited from Melbourne to join the team at Avondale. She has an impressive teaching career spanning more than 20 years and a specialty in the area of student leadership and values education.

She began teaching in a small, multicultural Catholic School in Melbourne and then moved to a larger school in the role of Student Welfare Coordinator. She has taught for 8 years in the independent system in Melbourne, including Ruyton Girls' (Kew), St Catherine's School (Tookak) and Xavier College - Kostka Hall (Brighton).

'I love Avondale because voices can be heard. Children offer opinions at morning lines, class work is published in the newsletter, teachers share their talents through ECAs and parents can speak to staff in person or through message books. Each voice is valued.'

Miss Kim Vernon

Bachelor of Education (Primary) Deakin University, Australia
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) University of Western Sydney, Australia
Bachelor of Nursing Australian Catholic University

Miss Vernon brings 10 years of experience in Primary School and Early Childhood teaching to Avondale. Her vast experience encompasses a variety of roles including leadership, development of curriculum, teaching practice, ICT coordinator, literacy support and Acting Assistant Principal.

Miss Vernon has taught for 8 years in the Sydney Archdiocesan of Catholic schools, spending 6 of those years at St. Joseph's Primary School Moorebank. In 2000 she broadened her experience by spending 12 months in the UK education system.

Before making a career change to teaching, Miss Vernon spent 5 years in healthcare, after attaining a Nursing Degree with a major in Neurosurgery. This combination of qualifications has been very useful in an educational setting.

An avid sportsperson, Miss Vernon has been a successful basketball player and coach and has utilized these talents in forming the first Avondale basketball team.

'I enjoy the diversity of cultures and the breadth of experiences that both the teaching staff and families bring to the Avondale community.'

Ms Kalliope Coplin

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) Macquarie University, Australia
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Charles Sturt University, Australia
Human Resource Management (IV) NSW TAFE, Australia

Originally from Sydney, Ms Coplin has lived in Singapore for 7 years. She began her teaching career as a coordinator and teacher at a Preschool at the University of New South Wales. Ms Coplin joined Avondale from the Australian International School Singapore, where she taught in both Preschool and Junior/Primary School and, in 2008, was appointed to the position of Preschool Curriculum Coordinator and In-Class Support Teacher.

In addition to her extensive teaching and curriculum experience, Ms Coplin also brings her love of music and performance to Avondale as Co-Director of a music events company and an experienced performer.

'Avondale is just a lovely place to work. Each member of our school brings something special to add to the community. As we are a small school, all those contributions are visible. It takes me back to when I was growing up and that feeling of a close-knit, caring school community. The atmosphere that Avondale provides is particularly important to expatriate families who are away from their support networks at home. At Avondale, everyone knows each other and everyone looks out for each other.'

Ms Shi Yanfen
Diploma in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, SOAS, University of London, England
Master of Business Administration, London Metropolitan University, England
Bachelor Arts in Industrial & Commercial Management, South China University of Technology, China.

Ms Shi Yanfen was born and educated in China and moved to London where she studied and worked for 10 years. It is her husband's relocation with MasterCard that brings them and their 3 year old daughter to Singapore.

Ms Shi has more than 6 years teaching experience, providing language instruction to students of all ages in schools. She has taught at London The Hall School, Southbank International School, St. Mary Magdalene Academy School and International House London. She has experience in curriculum development, lesson planning and classroom management. Ms Shi has also co-authored the British school textbook "Edexcel Chinese for A2" which was published in 2009.

Ms Shi believes in utilizing a wide variety of teaching methods and resources and her approach is learner-centered. She is a motivating and dynamic teacher who easily establishes rapport with students. She is a native speaker of Mandarin and Cantonese and is also fluent in English.

'Avondale is a unique community that reflects lifelong learning, social and individual growth. I believe each child is a unique, capable individual. I love Avondale because I can instill my own love of positive learning in children.'