Coaches

Our Academic Staff members are at the very heart of our School. It is their enthusiasm and commitment in providing learning to our students that inspires our high standards and continued success.

HeadStart’s over 70 specialist teachers have British, Australian, US or similar internationally recognised qualifications which include Bachelor and Master Degrees and Doctorates. They bring with them a wealth of current experience from their home countries and from other international schools. Teachers in Foundation and Primary School are supported by a team of qualified teaching assistants.

The dedication and commitment of our Operational Staff in supporting the day-to-day running of HeadStart ensures that our students receive the very best in learning and extra-curricular activities.

Zak Brown

Head Swim Coach

My name is Zak Brown. I’m from Bakersfield, California and started swimming at the age of 10. During High School, I helped lead our team to becoming league champions 4 years in a row. After High School, I attended Bakersfield College and continued swimming for Bakersfield Swim Club. During this time, I competed all over California as well as traveling to other states for national level competitions. After 2 years of junior college; I moved to Niagara Falls, New York and competed at Niagara University as a Division One Swimmer. During my stay at Niagara University, I was able to set three school relay records and I received a degree in marketing and logistics. I've enjoyed coaching swimming for over 9 years and have worked with athletes on all levels from beginners to Olympians. I feel very fortunate that swimming has given me the opportunity to meet incredible people from all over the world. Swimming is more than just a sport to me, it's become a lifestyle. The lessons learned through swimming stay with you your entire life. This is my second year with the HeadStart and I am really excited to work with the students to further develop their swimming abilities. Last season our Aqua Panthers hit best times and won the league championships. We have a lot of momentum building into this year and I am excited to lead the team into new heights!

Stef Frost

Head Football Coach

My name is Stef Frost. I’m from Nottingham, England and football has always been my passion. Being a professional footballer was always the dream for me and this came true at the age of just 16 years old. As a young player I joined the academy of the English Professional club Notts County FC. I progressed through the academy ranks from U10s to eventually the Notts County FC first team making my debut against Carlisle United in front of over 11,000 fans. I was awarded the Notts County FC Young Player of the year award and the Youth team player of the year award that same year. I am currently the third youngest player to ever play professionally for Notts County FC. I have also been fortunate enough to play against the likes of Manchester United, Leicester City, Everton, Aston Villa as well as against many high profile players such as premier league goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, England defender Gary Cahill and Inter Milan’s Ashley Young. Due to an Injury which has halted my football career I turned to coaching and I now have over 13 years experience in coaching also gaining my UEFA Licence and FA Youth Award. My coaching journey has taken me from England to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand and has included roles with professional clubs Nottingham Forest FC and Wigan Athletic F.C. I am extremely excited to be the Head Football coach at HeadStart International school and to have the opportunity to build a fantastic footballing program for our players to learn and practice in a fun and positive environment. It is very important for every player to leave each footballing practice having learnt either a new skill either being technical, physical, psychological or social. It is a combination of all these skills which our young players need to improve and succeed in Football and through their journey in life.

Ar-tit Benawang

Assistant Swim Coach

My name is Ar-tit Benawang and I am a swimming coach here at HeadStart. I have my high school qualifications from the Padang Besar Tinsulanonda School.I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the Institute of Physical Education–Krabi Campus. I also have certification as a Swimming Coach which I obtained on 30 December from the Thai Swimming Coach Association of Thailand. I have worked at HeadStart International School since 2011. It has been a great opportunity for me to work here. I enjoy the exercise that I can fit into my schedule due to excellent facilities. There are even sports that I have participated in that I have never had the chance to play before making it an overall great experience.

Somtavin Chuchuay

Assistant Swim Coach

Hi. My name is Khru Pui! I graduated from the Padang Besar Tinsulanonda Highschool School. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from the Institute of Physical Education–Krabi Campus, Arts Program. On December 30th, 2008 I received a Swimming Coach Level 1 Certificate from 'The Thai Swimming Coach Association of Thailand.' I have worked here at HeadStart International School since the 5th of January, 2016. It has been a good opportunity for me to work here as I can exercise and play several sports here due to the good facilities. There are several sports that I have never played before like table tennis and soft tennis that I enjoy learning. In this job I can be a coach and learn and play new sports at the same time. It has been good luck for me to work here.

Blaine McKenna

Assistant Football Coach

My name is Blaine McKenna and I am from Belfast, in the UK. I have been playing football from as young as I could walk and spent my youth career playing for national league teams in Northern Ireland and was selected for county and national team squads. I had a trial at a professional club in England but soon realised that I wouldn’t play at the top level, so I set my sights on coaching abroad. My goal was to coach in five countries but I have surpassed that by coaching in 11 countries on five continents, during my 12 year coaching career. I have spent the past five years working in Asia, including a spell as Academy Director of a Thai League club in Ubon Ratchathani. This was an amazing experience culturally and professionally as we were able to create a pathway which saw players signing professional contracts and making their debut in the first team. My big passion is driving performance across all areas of life and have been fortunate to deliver life skills performance programmes with a range of international gymnasts and footballers. I have previously worked with players who have gone on to earn professional contracts at a number of English Premier League clubs and I’m currently working with international players and a national team head coach as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. I’m excited about contributing to a HeadStart football programme which not only takes footballing ability to the next level but introduces skills which can help young people in the classroom, socially and in everyday life. The transfer of these skills to other areas of life is what fascinates me and drives me to research, study and experiment everyday to ensure we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Fabienne Mester

Dance Programme Manager/Active Learning Coordinator

Born in France, I commenced my training as a classical dancer at the age of 8 and later moved on to contemporary at 14. I have since then absorbed numerous contemporary techniques like Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Contact dancing. I performed with various contemporary dance Companies in France, and in 2004, joined Lewisham College Performing Art in London to get my Advanced Degree in contemporary. During the last 12 years between London, France, Australia and Thailand, I have acted as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and dance consultant in different dance styles like Jazz, modern, ballet, contemporary, musical theatre and acrobatics. I intend to bring to HeadStart International school’s community the spirit, the technique and the love of dance based on 4 points: Time, Space, Awareness and Fun. In September 2015, I joined as HeadStart Dance Programme coordinator offering an extensive dance programme for youth ages 4 to 18 y/o with a variety of classes in Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern/jazz, ballroom, contemporary, acrobatics and gymnastic. My mission is not only to properly place all students in classes that will maximize their development and progress, but also to guide them towards realising their full potential and help them to become amazing, creative and generous human beings.

HeadStart

International School

Cambridge International School

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