➜ Afternoon Team Introduction
➜ Secondary School Team Updates
➜ Primary School Team Updates
➜ IB Pre-Primary (PP1) Update
Afternoon Team Introduction
We’re delighted to introduce you to the dedicated team behind our afternoon programme for this academic year.
Daria Savina continues to lead the programme as our Head of Extracurricular Activities. Daria oversees all aspects of the programme — from designing and scheduling activities, recruiting both internal and external facilitators, managing subscriptions and team coordination, to addressing escalated behaviour cases. She plays a key role in ensuring our afternoon offerings are enriching, well-organised, and aligned with our school’s values.
Daria Savina continues to lead the programme as our Head of Extracurricular Activities. Daria oversees all aspects of the programme — from designing and scheduling activities, recruiting both internal and external facilitators, managing subscriptions and team coordination, to addressing escalated behaviour cases. She plays a key role in ensuring our afternoon offerings are enriching, well-organised, and aligned with our school’s values.
This year, we’re also pleased to welcome two Afternoon Coordinators who support Daria on site by helping manage student behaviour, supporting facilitators, and maintaining direct communication with families:
Please find below the list of afternoon facilitators assigned to each classroom:
- Andrew Newland – Primary Afternoon Coordinator
- Paraskevi (Sekvi) Evripidou – Pre-Primary Afternoon Coordinator
Please find below the list of afternoon facilitators assigned to each classroom:
In the Secondary School, we’re supported by three wonderful facilitators who help guide students to their clubs and supervise activities:
If you have any questions about the extracurricular programme, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Daria Savina at dsavina@isl.cy.
- Marios Papares
- Apostolos Michael
If you have any questions about the extracurricular programme, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Daria Savina at dsavina@isl.cy.
Secondary School Team Updates
New MYP EAL Teacher
We are happy to welcome Peter Samko as an EAL teacher who has joined our community last week.
Peter brings with him a rich and diverse international background, having taught English across Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, and the Middle East for over two decades. His experience includes roles as a Dean and Language Arts Teacher in New York City, a Team Leader in the Dominican Republic, a University ESL Instructor in Turkey, and an English teacher at a nuclear power plant in Slovakia.
Peter holds an M.A. in English Language and Literature and an M.A. in Chemistry from Matej Bel University in Slovakia, and he has completed postgraduate coursework in International Relations at City College in New York.
Fluent in English, Slovak, Spanish, and Russian, Peter brings a global perspective and a wealth of knowledge to our Language Faculty.
Peter is passionate about helping students thrive in multilingual settings and believes in the power of language to connect cultures and inspire confidence. We are delighted to have him as part of our team.
Peter brings with him a rich and diverse international background, having taught English across Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, and the Middle East for over two decades. His experience includes roles as a Dean and Language Arts Teacher in New York City, a Team Leader in the Dominican Republic, a University ESL Instructor in Turkey, and an English teacher at a nuclear power plant in Slovakia.
Peter holds an M.A. in English Language and Literature and an M.A. in Chemistry from Matej Bel University in Slovakia, and he has completed postgraduate coursework in International Relations at City College in New York.
Fluent in English, Slovak, Spanish, and Russian, Peter brings a global perspective and a wealth of knowledge to our Language Faculty.
Peter is passionate about helping students thrive in multilingual settings and believes in the power of language to connect cultures and inspire confidence. We are delighted to have him as part of our team.
New DP/CP Business Management Teacher
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Yogesh Pandey to our teaching team as a Business Management Teacher. Dr. Pandey brings over 13 years of rich international experience across IBDP, MYP, A Levels, AP, and IGCSE curricula, with a strong background in teaching Business, Economics, and Global Politics.
He joins us from Vietnam, where he most recently taught at the British Vietnamese International School and previously at the International School of Myanmar and GEMS Education in Dubai. Alongside his classroom teaching, Dr. Pandey has served as a Head of Department, EE and Personal Project Supervisor, and led various student clubs such as Financial Literacy, Microloan, and Mindfulness.
Dr. Pandey is also an IBDP External Examiner and IA Moderator for both Economics and Business Management, and a Cambridge examiner for Business Studies. He holds a Doctorate in Financial Management, a Master’s in Commerce, and a Bachelor’s in Education, all from Carlox Teachers University. He is also certified in career coaching and online teaching.
While we are currently awaiting the completion of his travel documentation, Dr. Pandey has already begun delivering online lessons to our students and is expected to arrive in Cyprus in early November to join us on campus full-time. We look forward to the valuable expertise and international perspective he brings to our Business Management faculty.
He joins us from Vietnam, where he most recently taught at the British Vietnamese International School and previously at the International School of Myanmar and GEMS Education in Dubai. Alongside his classroom teaching, Dr. Pandey has served as a Head of Department, EE and Personal Project Supervisor, and led various student clubs such as Financial Literacy, Microloan, and Mindfulness.
Dr. Pandey is also an IBDP External Examiner and IA Moderator for both Economics and Business Management, and a Cambridge examiner for Business Studies. He holds a Doctorate in Financial Management, a Master’s in Commerce, and a Bachelor’s in Education, all from Carlox Teachers University. He is also certified in career coaching and online teaching.
While we are currently awaiting the completion of his travel documentation, Dr. Pandey has already begun delivering online lessons to our students and is expected to arrive in Cyprus in early November to join us on campus full-time. We look forward to the valuable expertise and international perspective he brings to our Business Management faculty.
Primary School Team Updates
New Primary Librarian
We are pleased to welcome Leanne Edwards to our school community last week as the Primary Librarian, bringing with her over 16 years of international educational experience and a deep passion for fostering a love of reading and learning among young learners. Originally from Canada, Leanne holds a Master's degree in Education and specialist qualifications in Librarianship.
Throughout her career, Leanne has served as a teacher-librarian and Head of Libraries in diverse international settings including Costa Rica, Russia, the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Kuwait, and most recently the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her expertise spans IB PYP, MYP, and DP frameworks, and she has supported students from early years to secondary in developing research, inquiry, and information literacy skills.
At The Island School, Leanne plays a key role in cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centred library environment that celebrates curiosity, diversity, and creativity. She believes the library is a place where every child can feel seen, heard, and inspired. Fluent in English and French, and conversational in Spanish, Leanne brings a warm, global perspective to her work with students and colleagues alike.
In addition to her work as a librarian, Leanne has contributed to school life through initiatives such as Model United Nations, the Personal Project, and literary events. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, baking, hiking, and board games.
Throughout her career, Leanne has served as a teacher-librarian and Head of Libraries in diverse international settings including Costa Rica, Russia, the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Kuwait, and most recently the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her expertise spans IB PYP, MYP, and DP frameworks, and she has supported students from early years to secondary in developing research, inquiry, and information literacy skills.
At The Island School, Leanne plays a key role in cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centred library environment that celebrates curiosity, diversity, and creativity. She believes the library is a place where every child can feel seen, heard, and inspired. Fluent in English and French, and conversational in Spanish, Leanne brings a warm, global perspective to her work with students and colleagues alike.
In addition to her work as a librarian, Leanne has contributed to school life through initiatives such as Model United Nations, the Personal Project, and literary events. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, baking, hiking, and board games.
IB Grade 5: EAL Teacher Update
We regret to inform you that Carmen Moolman, EAL teacher in Grade 5 has decided to leave the school due to personal reasons.
Instead we are delighted to welcome Andrew Newland, our Afternoon Primary Coordinator and from Monday, October 13th taking over Carmen’s classes as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher alongside his role in the afternoon. Andrew brings over 14 years of international teaching experience, having worked extensively in Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. His dynamic and engaging approach to language instruction focuses on inspiring confidence, creativity, and curiosity in young learners. Andrew holds a CELTA qualification from Cambridge University and has developed a strong child-centred methodology that blends storytelling, games, and real-life application to create joyful and effective learning environments.
Before joining us, Andrew served as a senior EAL teacher and team mentor at Nanny&Me and as a Native English Teacher in the Hong Kong Education Bureau’s NET scheme. Andrew is also an avid photographer, rugby enthusiast, and outdoor adventurer, and he brings his full energy and creativity into every classroom.
We’re excited to have Andrew as part of our community and look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our learners and team.
Instead we are delighted to welcome Andrew Newland, our Afternoon Primary Coordinator and from Monday, October 13th taking over Carmen’s classes as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher alongside his role in the afternoon. Andrew brings over 14 years of international teaching experience, having worked extensively in Hong Kong, China, and Thailand. His dynamic and engaging approach to language instruction focuses on inspiring confidence, creativity, and curiosity in young learners. Andrew holds a CELTA qualification from Cambridge University and has developed a strong child-centred methodology that blends storytelling, games, and real-life application to create joyful and effective learning environments.
Before joining us, Andrew served as a senior EAL teacher and team mentor at Nanny&Me and as a Native English Teacher in the Hong Kong Education Bureau’s NET scheme. Andrew is also an avid photographer, rugby enthusiast, and outdoor adventurer, and he brings his full energy and creativity into every classroom.
We’re excited to have Andrew as part of our community and look forward to the positive impact he will bring to our learners and team.
IB Pre-Primary (PP1) Team Update
We would like to share with you the maternity cover plans for your Homeroom Teacher, Margarita Ellina. Beginning next week, Ms. Polina Iosif will be stepping in to take over the class during Margarita’s maternity leave.
Polina joined our Pre-Primary team in 2022 and become a valued member of our school community. She brings with her a warm, nurturing presence and a solid foundation in early childhood education. A graduate of the University of Cyprus with a BA in Education, Polina has also completed PYP and Montessori training, reflecting her commitment to hands-on, child-centred learning.
She has experience in both Greek and international early years settings and is particularly passionate about supporting the emotional and social development of young children. Polina’s creativity, calm demeanour, and belief in the power of play-based learning shine through in her everyday work. Fluent in both Greek and English, she builds meaningful and trusting relationships with children and families alike.
We are confident that your child will feel supported and inspired under Polina’s guidance. We’re delighted to welcome her into the PP1 classroom during this special time, and we thank you for your continued trust and support.
Polina joined our Pre-Primary team in 2022 and become a valued member of our school community. She brings with her a warm, nurturing presence and a solid foundation in early childhood education. A graduate of the University of Cyprus with a BA in Education, Polina has also completed PYP and Montessori training, reflecting her commitment to hands-on, child-centred learning.
She has experience in both Greek and international early years settings and is particularly passionate about supporting the emotional and social development of young children. Polina’s creativity, calm demeanour, and belief in the power of play-based learning shine through in her everyday work. Fluent in both Greek and English, she builds meaningful and trusting relationships with children and families alike.
We are confident that your child will feel supported and inspired under Polina’s guidance. We’re delighted to welcome her into the PP1 classroom during this special time, and we thank you for your continued trust and support.