Chris Pooley
Chris Pooley - Year 5 Teacher and Key Stage 2 Coordinator at The King's School Manila (KSM)
1. How many years have you worked for The British Schools Foundation and where?
I'm now in my 4th year, all of which have been at The King's School Manila (KSM).
2. Why did you choose to work for the British Schools Foundation?
It was a great opportunity to join a network of schools. I knew that my family and I would be well supported whilst I would have the opportunity to develop professionally.
3. What positions, and for how many years, have you had at the school(s)?
When I first arrived I taught a range of subjects in Years 6, 7 and 8. For the last two years, I have taught Year 5 as well as holding the position of Key Stage 2 coordinator.
4. What do you love about your current role?
The family feel at KSM is something that we are very proud of and everyone who visits comments on it. It's important that as we continue to develop and grow the core values that helped to establish this remain at the heart of everything we do.
5. What do you love about the area/country?
Manila is a great contrast where no two days are ever the same. The Philippines is a beautiful place to explore and the people are some of the friendliest I have ever met.
6. What do you like most about teaching internationally?
It has given me a great opportunity to learn a lot more about myself in a shorter space of time. I have found that at KSM we do things to benefit the children first and foremost. Often when we have new ideas and initiatives the first question we ask is, 'Does it benefit the children?'.
7. What strengths/skills helped you get to where you are today?
I would like to think I'm a people person; someone who has the ability to interact with different people on various levels and in different contexts.
8. Which of your childhood teachers stood out and why?
I was fortunate to have some huge male role models at the right time in my life. Mr Simons, Mr Coleman and Mr Williams taught me a lot in Years 5-6 at Primary school. They taught more than just academics and instilled in us that it was more important to be a good person than it was to be good at a certain subject. Our school motto was 'My Best Always,' which still resonates now.
9. What are your most treasured teaching resources?
Unfortunately moving internationally means that most of my resources are saved on my laptop. However I still carry around a few things with me including a couple of signed Michael Morpurgo books. Either those or anything 'real' the children can get their hands on.
10. What is the most memorable lesson you have taught?
I taught a maths lesson in the swimming pool. Children were measuring perimeter, area and volume. Most of our resources got soaked and I got a few strange looks from people walking past, but the children got a lot from it!
11. What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies?
As a proud Cornishman I love rugby and surfing. Unfortunately it's more watching rugby than playing at the moment but hopefully that will change before I get too old and have to hang up my boots.
1. How many years have you worked for The British Schools Foundation and where?
I'm now in my 4th year, all of which have been at The King's School Manila (KSM).
2. Why did you choose to work for the British Schools Foundation?
It was a great opportunity to join a network of schools. I knew that my family and I would be well supported whilst I would have the opportunity to develop professionally.
3. What positions, and for how many years, have you had at the school(s)?
When I first arrived I taught a range of subjects in Years 6, 7 and 8. For the last two years, I have taught Year 5 as well as holding the position of Key Stage 2 coordinator.
4. What do you love about your current role?
The family feel at KSM is something that we are very proud of and everyone who visits comments on it. It's important that as we continue to develop and grow the core values that helped to establish this remain at the heart of everything we do.
5. What do you love about the area/country?
Manila is a great contrast where no two days are ever the same. The Philippines is a beautiful place to explore and the people are some of the friendliest I have ever met.
6. What do you like most about teaching internationally?
It has given me a great opportunity to learn a lot more about myself in a shorter space of time. I have found that at KSM we do things to benefit the children first and foremost. Often when we have new ideas and initiatives the first question we ask is, 'Does it benefit the children?'.
7. What strengths/skills helped you get to where you are today?
I would like to think I'm a people person; someone who has the ability to interact with different people on various levels and in different contexts.
8. Which of your childhood teachers stood out and why?
I was fortunate to have some huge male role models at the right time in my life. Mr Simons, Mr Coleman and Mr Williams taught me a lot in Years 5-6 at Primary school. They taught more than just academics and instilled in us that it was more important to be a good person than it was to be good at a certain subject. Our school motto was 'My Best Always,' which still resonates now.
9. What are your most treasured teaching resources?
Unfortunately moving internationally means that most of my resources are saved on my laptop. However I still carry around a few things with me including a couple of signed Michael Morpurgo books. Either those or anything 'real' the children can get their hands on.
10. What is the most memorable lesson you have taught?
I taught a maths lesson in the swimming pool. Children were measuring perimeter, area and volume. Most of our resources got soaked and I got a few strange looks from people walking past, but the children got a lot from it!
11. What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies?
As a proud Cornishman I love rugby and surfing. Unfortunately it's more watching rugby than playing at the moment but hopefully that will change before I get too old and have to hang up my boots.
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