Outstanding People

Hello everyone!

I'm Jamie Schmitz, and I'm the Principal at Beacon Hill School. I firmly believe that building strong, positive relationships is the most important aspect of education, ensuring that schools are happy and inclusive places for everyone.

I earned my B.Ed from the University of Tasmania in 1994, and later completed my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Doctoral Degree in Coaching Psychology at the same institution. Over my career, I've had the privilege of working with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula in various cultural and school contexts worldwide. Some of my most notable roles include serving as the Deputy Principal at the International School of Milan, as the Primary Principal at Westlake Academy in the U.S.A., and spending 10 years as the Head of Primary at Renaissance College Hong Kong.

As an educator, I love supporting others in exploring, trying new things, and nurturing their innovative and creative spirits. I see myself as the captain of a sailboat, guiding our learning voyage by actively listening, learning, and making small course corrections that enable everyone to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar and singing, keeping active with strength training, and engaging in person-centred coaching, which allows me to connect deeply with others.

Warm regards,

Jamie Schmitz 

Hi, I’m Susan Chung and I have served as the Vice Principal of Beacon Hill School since 2008. With over 25 years of experience in education, I am dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

I hold a BEd (Hons) from the University of Southampton (UK) and an MEd in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Bristol (UK). Prior to joining BHS, I have worked at ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School, ESF Sha Tin Junior School and other schools in the UK where I have developed a passion for supporting learners to be the best that they can be.

In my role as Vice Principal, I focus on supporting teachers and students alike, promoting academic excellence, and ensuring that every child feels valued and empowered. I believe in the importance of collaboration and open communication, regularly engaging with parents and community members to enhance the educational experience.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends, travelling, and reading. I believe these experiences help me recharge and bring fresh perspectives to my role. Whether exploring new cultures or diving into a good book, I find inspiration in the world around me, which enriches my commitment to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment.

Hi, I am Andy Thompson and I am the Vice Principal supporting students in Years 3 and 4. I am driven to create a positive environment where all students experience a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to reach their full potential.

I have been teaching in ESF since August 1997 where I have worked at Quarry Bay School and Kowloon Junior School. I have worked in many different capacities in these schools which has inspired my commitment to personalising learning using students strengthens. 

I joined BHS in 2016 and work with students in various ways from teaching lessons across our curriculum, working with our Student Council and coaching various sporting activities. Our school has a wonderful and supportive community which energises me to strive for the best possible outcomes for all our students.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Having three teenage daughters ensures I have a lot of rich experiences. I still enjoy playing a variety of sports, all be it at a slower pace!

Hi! I’m Chad Pheasant, and I am the Vice Principal looking after our Year 5 and Year 6 students. I’m a firm believer in the importance of inclusive education and building positive relationships to help nurture student’s sense of belonging to school.

I qualified as a Teacher in Liverpool in 1993, where I started my teaching career. In 1999 I moved to Hong Kong as a Special Needs (now inclusion) specialist and worked for four years at Kowloon Junior School. I joined the Beacon Hill community in 2003 and have been here ever since, in a wide variety of roles!

As an educator, I love supporting all students and developing student’s positive self-esteem and sense of well-being. I support staff and students to ensure we give a wide range of opportunities to help guide our students to be the best they can be, both academically and outside the classroom.

In my spare time, I enjoy watching sports and playing drums in a band, as well as spending time with my children, even though this is mainly via WhatsApp now that they have all left Hong Kong and are beginning their life journeys in the UK. This helps me to keep my maintain my sense of well-being!

Hello. My name is Colette Davis and as the Leader of Inclusion at Beacon Hill School, I’m a firm advocate of building an inclusive and welcoming culture for all of our BHS community- students and teachers alike.

I grew up in Hong Kong and attended ESF schools before taking a BSc in Psychology and then a PGCE in primary teaching in the UK. Since then I also completed a Masters in Leadership in Inclusive Education. I have taught in the UK, Dubai and across 3 ESF schools in Hong Kong. I joined Beacon Hill in 2014 as an Inclusion teacher before moving into this management role. 

My school-based role has broadened from inclusion to DEI, the well-being of both staff and students and safeguarding. A major focus has been developing a school-wide approach towards inclusive education for all and developing whole-school approaches to support social and emotional education and promoting positive mental health and well-being. A large part of the role involves collaborating with therapists, psychologists, parents, children and colleagues who work across the schools and at the ESF centre.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters and family here in Hong Kong and the UK. My free time is often spent hiking, playing hockey and generally enjoying the outdoors! My children call me a water baby as I'm often happiest scuba diving, being on boats or swimming in the sea.