Meet the Team

Jon read Ancient History and History at the University of Nottingham and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching in the UK, an accolade awarded to highly committed teachers and school leaders who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the teaching profession.

In addition to helping students achieve their best, Jon enjoys coaching and developing staff, and several members of his teams have gone on to lead their own schools as Executive Principals.

As a Deputy Principal and Head of Year, Trent is passionate about student wellbeing and strives to make school a positive and memorable experience for all. He is dedicated to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment that nurtures both academic and personal growth.

In his spare time, Trent enjoys staying active through triathlons and rugby. He also has a love for travel and exploring diverse cuisines.

Andrew's teaching philosophy centres around the belief that children should always be the focal point of educational decisions. He is deeply committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. His approach emphasises the importance of understanding each student's unique needs, strengths, and interests, ensuring that they are given the tools and opportunities to succeed.

"I want my students to be curious, take risks, and develop a passion for learning and aspirations for the future. These values are central to life at AIS Saigon, and I am excited to work alongside an incredible team of staff and students to help make the school an exceptional place to learn and grow." – Mr. Allan Short.

Bridie joined AIS Vietnam in August 2024 as Deputy Principal of Kindergarten and Primary. She is passionate about developing creative educational experiences that ignite a lifelong love of learning and building supportive environments that help every child thrive academically and personally. 

In her spare time, Bridie enjoys travelling and dressmaking. She is currently working on a second master’s degree in education through the University of Queensland.

Her experiences have given her a clear understanding of what excellent Early Years environments and teaching should look and feel like. This year Meryl also attended a study group at Reggio Emila in Italy. She will bring skills and knowledge to AIS and work with the team to ensure that we are offering the best Early Years education and school community for our children and our families. Meryl is a passionate educator who leads by example. She states: ‘We are building the foundations for a child’s attitude towards and attainment in their future education. It is essential we get it right.’

When not at work Meryl enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors, exploring and going on adventures to new places. As a family she enjoys food, either cooking at home or finding good food spots in the local area. She can’t wait to experience all the delicious Vietnamese foods! Meryl also has a passion for art and design and enjoys visiting art galleries or design spaces and loves working on art projects at home with her daughter Eliza.

Meryl loves this quote by Sir Ken Robinson: ‘The gardener does not make a plant grow. The job of the gardener is to create optimal conditions for growth’.