Welcome to Sri KDU International School

Leadership Team

/About SKIS

Mr Duncan Grice

Executive Principal

Mr Duncan Grice was appointed as the Executive Principal of Sri KDU Schools and Head of the Kota Damansara Campus in September 2022. Prior to this, he was Principal at XCL International School, Penang (BISP), formerly known as GEMS International School, Pearl City, Penang after being a Consultant Principal with GEMS Education.

Before joining BISP, he was the founding Headmaster of Malvern College Egypt, establishing a school with a clear emphasis on learning and putting students at the centre of every decision. Duncan led the College Leadership Team in the start-up years with responsibility for all areas of the development timeline. The College achieved an A* report from Malvern College UK in its first Quality Assurance inspection.

Before moving to Egypt, Duncan was the founding Deputy Head of College/Head of Junior School at Dulwich College Suzhou, China. He was chair of the steering committee which guided DSCZ through CIS accreditation, making the school one of the youngest schools ever to be awarded this prestigious international stamp of approval.

Duncan first taught overseas at the British International School Jakarta, Indonesia in 2000. There he was the KS2 Coordinator with responsibility for sixteen classes and member of the Primary SLT. Duncan was a member of the steering committee which saw the school accredited as a full member of the Council of International Schools.

Prior to moving to Jakarta, Duncan was Head of Year 6 and teacher governor at New Bradwell Combined School in Milton Keynes in the UK. Duncan holds a MA in Education from the University of Bath, a B.A. (Hons) History/American Studies from St John’s College York. He also holds a PGCE from the University of Wales. Additionally, Duncan has been a registered ISI school inspector.

Mr Gareth Barnaby

Head of Primary

Mr Gareth Barnaby has over 15 years’ experience in education having taught and led schools in England, Spain and Russian. Most recently having been the Principal at an international school in Moscow, he understands the challenges and complexity of a comprehensive education system and the important role schools play in the mental and physical wellbeing of students.

Mr Barnaby has gained extensive experience in teaching English in the mainstream classroom to additional language learners, developed STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programme with the curriculum, and created enhanced safeguarding systems within schools for the protection of its students. He was recently invited as a guest speaker at an event delivering a speech on ‘International Education and Student Wellbeing.’

Mrs Brenda Connolly

Head of Secondary

Mrs Connolly has vast experience in teaching both in the United Kingdom (UK) and internationally. She holds a BA Honours in English Language and Literature, MA with Distinction in Education, and the National Professional Qualification of Senior Leadership. Mrs Connolly started her teaching career in 1996 as an English teacher. After working in secondary schools in the UK and Russia and having the added responsibility of Head of Psychology while teaching in an OFSTED outstanding school in the UK, she then decided to further her professional career and gain experience in international education by joining a well-established international school in Bangkok in 2009 as a teacher of English Language and Literature, where after a year she was promoted to Head of English.

Mrs Connolly joined Sri KDU International School in August 2021 as Deputy Head of Secondary with direct responsibility for the academic programme in the secondary school, including teaching and learning, student achievement and progress, teacher training and professional development, while also teaching English at Key Stage 3, IGCSE and IBDP level. In the following year, Mrs Connolly took up a new role of Head of Secondary at Sri KDU International School.

Mrs Connolly firmly believes that every student, irrespective of their ability, language proficiency level or background, can achieve their full potential if they are safe and happy, and are given the right opportunities and support, therefore, she feels very passionate about creating a family-like and inclusive educational environment that supports all students in their personal and educational development, helping them to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.

In her leisure time, Mrs Connolly enjoys reading world literature along with traveling and absorbing the rich and varied cultural experiences that both Malaysia and Southeast Asia have to offer.

Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal

Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral)

Mrs Jasmine Sabharwal has been teaching in international schools since 2009 with over 10 years of experience in middle and senior leadership positions. After completing her studies in Biotechnology, she continued her research and publications in Microbiology at the Asian University of Medical, Science and Technology Malaysia. She then pursued her career in stem cell studies and found her interest in education after providing seminars and talks for medical students at various Malaysian universities.

Mrs Jasmine joined SKISS in 2011 teaching IB Diploma and IGCSE Biology as well as Key Stage 3 Sciences. She had taken on her first pastoral role in 2013 as the Head of Year 11 and was promoted into the Senior Leadership Team as Key Stage 4 Director in 2015. Working her way up, Mrs Jasmine was appointed as the Deputy Head Secondary in 2019, overseeing pastoral care and holistic education. Mrs Jasmine supports students, parents, and teachers as they learn and grow in their social, emotional, and academic skills as well as to help students transition from one international environment to the next. Working in collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators, learning support, and other staff. Mrs Jasmine is the Designated Safeguarding Officer in secondary who is responsible to create a safe and positive environment in which children of all ages can grow. She provides training to staff to ensure they conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism to create a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for children as well as to protect and safeguard children at the highest standards.

Mr Joshua Sheridan

Deputy Head of Primary

Previously the Assistant Head of Primary and Head of Year 3 and Year 5 at an international school in Malaysia, Mr Sheridan has experience in teaching SAT preparations and is also an experienced SEN and EAL teacher for both Year 6 and Year 3. During his PGCE duration, he has taught all years across KS1 and KS2 and is fully qualified in Safeguarding.

He has a passion for reading and recently spoke at a FOBISIA eConference on how to implement effective teaching of reading and its impact on overall child development. He is a keen sportsman and particularly enjoys rugby and competing in triathlons. He also enjoys taking part in drama with previous on-stage roles in the UK and has directed previous Primary and whole school performances.

Mr Gareth Shaw

Assistant Head of Secondary (Academics)

After completing his studies, Mr Gareth Shaw worked in both Finance and Local Government. After being involved in the implementation of a range of new systems Mr Shaw developed a passion and interest in helping others achieve their goals.This culminated in Mr Shaw undertaking his PGCE followed by completing his QTS year.

Mr Shaw has taught in schools both in the UK and internationally. In his previous school in the Middle East he held both middle and senior leadership positions. As a result of this he has developed a keen interest in leadership and reading around the topic. In the classroom Mr Shaw is always keen to try out new ideas in order to continue to engage and enthuse students.

In his spare time he enjoys travelling with his wife and two children. Mr Shaw is also taking the opportunity to sample the culinary delights Malaysia has to offer.

Mr David Crane

Assistant Head Teacher (Whole School Inclusion)

Mr David Crane completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK, before going on to study at the University of East Anglia, where he completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

He has been teaching since 2010 in UK schools, starting as a class teacher and moving up to Head of Department, before returning to the University of Wolverhampton, where he received his National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination. Mr Crane then took up a role as Special Educational Needs Co Ordinator of a large secondary school in the east of England. This job included co-ordinating the additional support of students who experienced barriers to their learning as well as providing support and advice, to teachers and parents, regarding strategies to ensure students can be the best versions of themselves.

He joined Sri KDU International School in September 2019 as the Assistant Head Teacher - Inclusion and this is his first teaching role outside of the UK; his role covers both the International Secondary and International Primary schools.

Mr Crane is driven by his mission of ensuring all students are provided with the support needed to realise their full potential regardless of their background or obstacles that may stand in their way.

When not in school he spends time with his family and also enjoys playing sports, such as football, cricket and golf, cooking and singing.

Mr William Harris

Assistant Head Teacher (Whole School Enrichment)

Mr William Harris started teaching Information Technology and Computing in 2007 and taught for six years at a secondary school in England. Prior to that, he had worked for nearly 20 years in the IT industry as a programmer, systems analyst and project manager.

He joined SKISS in January 2014 and later that year took over as House Coordinator. Since then he has overseen the development and smooth running of the SKISS House System, working to deliver a range of sporting, non-sporting and fund-raising activities throughout the academic year. He is also responsible for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award at SKISS and ensuring we fulfil our role as an International Award Centre. In September 2021, he took on a new role as Assistant Head Teacher - Enrichment, supporting staff in running the wide range of societies and clubs available for students to take part in as well as overseeing all matters related to educational trips and visits.

His hobbies and interests are marathon running, books and travelling.

Mr Steven Fisher

Assistant Head Teacher (Head of Key Stage 4 & Key Stage 5)

Mr Steven Fisher has been teaching for more than a decade in the UK and internationally. He spent six of these years teaching computing and ICT at secondary schools in Leicestershire. Mr Fisher moved to Mexico to teach at an internationally renowned school where he took on a whole school role, sharing his passion for computer science across the primary and secondary schools. Mr Fisher made his move to Malaysia where he was employed as the Head of Computing, and he has overseen a continued improvement with the subjects' sign-up numbers and exam results at IGCSE level. In 2021 81% of students studying Computer Science achieved an A or A*. He has also led the introduction of Computer Science at IB and we await their first cohort of students' results with great expectation. Throughout his teaching career Mr Fisher has taught at KS4 (GCSE & IGCSE) and KS5 (IB and A-Level).

Mr Fisher is an avid sportsman taking an interest in most sports; this includes football, cricket, rugby and badminton. Recently he has taken up golf. Around the school, Mr. Fisher can often be seen sharing his passion for sport as he supports the Sri KDU students as they participate in fixtures and inter-house competitions.