Staff Profiles
Year 3 – Year 4
At St Christopher’s, our dedicated and well-qualified team of staff put your children at the heart of everything we do.
Year 3 – Year 4
Libby Richardson
Year 3 ER
Libby comes from the Scottish Highlands, near the northernmost part of the UK. After studying Primary Education in Aberdeen, she completed her teaching qualification at a vibrant school in Elgin, Scotland. Eager to explore more of the world, Libby moved abroad and has spent the past three years teaching at an international school in Muscat, Oman. As a founding member of the school, she has played a key role in developing and embedding play-based learning within the Reception year group. Libby is passionate about outdoor learning and play and is excited to contribute to its continued development at SCIPS. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, whether at the beach, playing rugby, exploring new places, or relaxing with a good book. Libby is thrilled to be moving to Malaysia and looks forward to discovering Penang and travelling throughout Southeast Asia.
Hazel Garbes
Year 3 HG
Hazel is from Kaikōura, a small coastal town in the South Island of New Zealand. She moved to the city of Christchurch in 2015 to attend the University of Canterbury where she attained a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (primary). Since graduating, Hazel has taught at St Anne’s Catholic School. Over her 6 and a half years at St Anne’s, she taught students from 6-13 years of age.
Hazel is passionate about all things learning and is looking forward to experiencing how SCIPs does play! Hazel is an avid reader and a keen nature enthusiast. She spends her summers camping, fishing and exploring the outdoors. This year, Hazel spent two months travelling throughout Europe; exploring National Parks, heritage sites and vibrant cities. She is very excited to start her next chapter in Penang, teaching at SCIPs and exploring South East Asia and the treasures it provides.
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Grace Hill
Year 3 GH
Grace is from York, a walled city in the North of England. She studied Media Studies at York St John but after completing her degree, she realised she wanted a more meaningful career. She went on to be an au pair in France for 6 months and completed her PGCE when she returned home. She has now worked as a class teacher for 4 years at a school in York. In her free time, Grace loves going out for walks with her husband Tom and their dog, Pablo. She’s an avid reader and enjoys cooking. Grace loves to travel and enjoys learning about different cultures and trying new foods. Grace is so excited to move to Penang and become a part of the SCIPs family!
Nikki Charlesworth-Winch
Year 4 NC
Nikki is originally from Dorset in the South West of the United Kingdom and still lives and works in and around the area. She has a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education with a specialism in Art and Design from Plymouth University. From teaching swimming as a teenager, Nikki has always wanted to be a teacher, she has been teaching for 8 years now and has been the art coordinator for her school for 7 years. Nikki works hard to ensure that children of all ages and abilities are enthusiastic and enjoy participating in all aspects of school life. Nikki has recently completed her National Award in Special Education Needs from the University of Exeter.
In her spare time, Nikki loves nothing more than to walk, explore and photograph the beautiful coastal area in which she lives. She is an avid reader and is a big fan of soaking up the sun whilst reading a good book.
Nikki has always loved travelling and has spent time exploring new countries. When travelling in South America she gained her PADI certificate and is looking forward to diving in all of the amazing spots around Malaysia.
Nikki is extremely excited for this new adventurous challenge and can not wait to surround herself with the amazing weather, food, people and landscapes of Penang.
Sophie Anderson
Year 4 SA
Sophie is from Lancaster, in the north of England. She has a BA in International Relations from the University of Leeds, and during her third year she studied at The University of Western Ontario, Canada. Sophie trained to teach in 2021 after several years working in the charity sector in Manchester and then London. She gained her PgCE in Primary Education through the University of Cumbria, having studied on a Schools Direct programme. Following graduation Sophie completed her two year ECT induction at a school in Kendal, Cumbria. Following this she has spent the last two years supply teaching in Lancaster which has given her a broad range of experiences across a range of settings.
Sophie has travelled in Asia and North America, and spent three months volunteering in Tamil Nadu, India. She is excited to join SCIPS and combine her passion for teaching with her love of travel and she can’t wait to explore Malaysia and Asia more widely. She is moving to Penang with her husband Will who is very excited by the culinary delights Penang has to offer!
Francesca Blythe
Year 4 FB
Francesca has been teaching for over 12 years and is making the move to Penang from Bristol – a wonderful city in the Southwest of England. She studied at the University of the West of England and earned a BA (Hons) in Primary Education. When first qualifying Francesca taught for two years, before taking a year out to travel and volunteer in India. On her return, she taught for a further 3 years in North Somerset, before deciding the take the plunge and follow her dreams to teach internationally with her husband, moving to Qatar and then Egypt.
Francesca is passionate about creating a warm and nurturing environment in her classroom and helping pupils to become resilient life-long learners.
Francesca loves spending time in the great outdoors, doing yoga and cooking. Francesca is married to Sam, also a teacher at SCIPS, and she has two sons – Nathan and Jacob and a wonderful dog – Ralf. She loves travelling and exploring the world and cannot wait to join the wonderful community of SCIPS.