About Us
About the Team
We are a like-minded, experienced group of professional educators, executives and managers who are passionate about supporting children’s learning and development. Many of us have worked together before and are excited to reunite to build a truly unique Kindergarten experience for Singaporean and expatriate children and their families.
HQ
Alexandra
Bukit Timah
Phoenix Park
River Valley
Louise GrantFounding Director
Louise Grant is the Founding Director of Primus Schoolhouse, Singapore. She was Founding Principal of SJI International Elementary School Singapore, having previously been the Curriculum Coordinator at United World College of South East Asia.
Prior to UWCSEA, she was Head of Year 5 and 6 at Alice Smith British School, Malaysia.
After gaining a Master of Education (with Merit) from the University of Sydney, Louise’s first experience of international education was as Founding Head of Primary at the Australian International School, Singapore.
During her time in Australia, Louise was the Founding Head of Primary at The McDonald College, a specialist performing Arts school and Principal at St Mary’s Primary School in NSW. Louise served on the Association of Catholic Schools Principals and as a member of the Principal’s Executive, Louise enjoyed mentoring principals across the region.
Louise is delighted to have returned to the vibrant education scene in Singapore to lead the establishment of Primus Schoolhouse premium kindergartens in Singapore.
FUN FACT: Following a lifelong passion for ballet and dance, Louise was privileged to curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II; a memorable moment.
Chia Puay LengDirector, Chinese Programmes
Puay Leng was the Head of Chinese at SJII Elementary School (2010 – 2018) and the Head of Asian Languages at SJII High School (2007 – 2009).
Puay Leng was instrumental in developing the Chinese curriculum in both schools. At SJII ES, she led a team of dedicated teachers to create a conducive and effective environment for learning Chinese. Prior to this, Puay Leng taught students from the ages of 4 to 18 at The United College of Southeast Asia.
Puay Leng has worked with preschool children from the ages of 18 months to 6 years when she was the Director and Centre Supervisor at the Experiential Learning Centre.
As the senior producer at the Ministry of Education (1999 – 2000), she directed in-house videos and educational programmes for the Ministry.
Puay Leng holds a Master of Education, a Diploma (Leadership) in Early Childhood Studies and a Degree of Bachelor of Arts.
FUN FACT: Puay Leng lived in Singapore’s last surviving village, Kampong Lorong Buangkok, until she was 18. She will never forget waking up to a python under her bed!
Kristy Leeth ChissomGroup Operations Director
Joining the Primus Schoolhouse team is Kristy’s first experience in the education sector and she has found a new niche, thoroughly enjoying interacting with the children and their families and being an integral part of the life of the school. In her role, as Group Operations Director, she oversees the finance, operations and enrolment processes.
Kristy has over 20 years of experience in finance and corporate accounting in the USA and Singapore. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the University of Houston, TX, USA.
Originally from Alabama, USA, Kristy has been living in Singapore for 18 years. She is an avid trail runner and owner of two cats and a dog, who she likes to take on long hikes and runs on the beach. Kristy brings many skills and knowledge from her background and great enthusiasm from supporting all facets of the school.
FUN FACT: Kristy has mingled with the Hollywood elite during her time as an extra on the 1994 movie Cobb.
Hanah RaimiGroup Head of Schools
Hanah believes that every child deserves the best start in life. Her humble beginnings as an assistant teacher started at an international preschool in 2008 before she attained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education Teaching and Leadership. Today, after 13 years in service, she supports a team of dedicated school leaders, principals and teachers.
Hanah has organised many professional development opportunities for staff and has served on several curriculum development and strategic planning committees. Hanah enjoys working collaboratively with the team to maximise learning opportunities for children and the families that she serves. Through positive partnerships with colleagues, parents and families, she aspires to nurture children into great leaders of tomorrow.
Coming from a family of educators, Hanah understands how important of a role the school plays in making sure children receive a quality education that will prepare them with the skills and dispositions they need to be successful in the global world. Hanah is an advocate for inclusion and has successfully supported and integrated children with exceptional needs.
FUN FACT: Hanah was born in a leap year! Astrologers believe that people born during this time have unusual talents, and she sure has one in the arts! In her free time, Hanah enjoys spending time with her husband, Hisham, and their two daughters, Sofea and Saarah who share a similar knack for drawing and painting!
Safarizah Binte Abu BakarHead of Childcare
With 26 years of experiences in the education industry, Rizah makes her niche for 16 years in the leadership track and has a decade of experience as a teacher.
Rizah is a decisive and forward-thinking leader who advocates a resourceful approach in policy development and staff management. Throughout her career, she has worked with mainstream and special needs students and is a well-rounded and dynamic leader with expertise in the local and Australian & British – Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
With her vast experience and tertiary qualifications in Psychological Science and Early Childhood Education, she had been appointed as Cluster Principal, Mentor Head and Operations Manager in local and international organisations. Her diverse career path has granted her the opportunity to be well versed in EC education management and the state’s regulation.
Rizah is enthusiastic and excited to work together with the growing family as she firmly believes that a positive home-to-school connection will benefit every child’s academic, social, and emotional needs.
FUN FACT: Rizah is a food enthusiast and treats cooking as an act of love. When she has the time at home, be it rain or shine, in the day or in the night, you can find her busy in the kitchen developing a dish from her countless recipe collections. From Foul Medames to Tteok-bokki, she has spread them all on the dinner table.
To her, food is a universal language that bonds people naturally and can be enjoyed by many. Her only disclaimer is the strenuous process to the clean-up afterwards!
Tina Lim
Head, Learning Enhancement
Tina is a trained Teacher Assistant and is Head Teacher Assistant at Primus Schoolhouse. She completed a certification course in Middle Leadership for International Schools and the NSPCC Child Protection in Schools.
Tina joined Primus Schoolhouse in October 2018. She spent 3 years in a government primary school before joining SJII Elementary School in 2008. There she was appointed Head of Teaching Partners in 2010. She enjoyed both her roles, but especially enhancing learning within the classroom.
Tina is trained in Primus’ character education program, The Virtues Project. She believes learning should be child-centred and school must be a place where children feel secure and comfortable.
FUN FACT: Tina’s dream is to be able to experience driving a Singapore Bus Services (SBS) bus one day. Primus Schoolhouse teachers can’t wait to be on that bus!
Tee PangilinanAdmissions Officer
Tee moved to Singapore in 2008 where she worked in the healthcare industry for 8 years from operations to the corporate side of sales and marketing. She joined Primus Schoolhouse from a top American international school where she moved through a progression of roles, increasing in responsibilities in the Admissions Department over the previous 4 years.
Tee is a fitness buff, regularly engaging in physical activities that spark her interest. She is an avid off-road runner, always open to exploring uncharted territory. She also runs when she travels, rain or shine. Her compassion and big heart for others leads her to always find meaning and relevance in what she does, making sure that she is making an impact to others and being purposeful.
Tee holds two Bachelor of Science degrees. Her goal is to live life to the fullest while making a difference in others’ lives.
FUN FACT: Tee makes it a goal to run a few miles in every country she has travelled to, rain or shine!
Zara CookAdmissions Officer
Zara has over 20 years of experience assisting C-level suites in various companies. She had the opportunity to work with people from various countries and cultures. This exposure has enabled her to learn about and appreciate multi-culturalism. Her exceptional multi-tasking and organizational abilities have earned her high praise from her superiors and peers. She left one of the largest advertising agencies to join the education sector.
She’s been having fun learning new things and gaining new experiences by doing something outside of her comfort zone at White Lodge!
Zara believes that a little humility goes a long way, and she is always willing to lend a hand when assistance is required.
FUN FACT: Zara enjoys nature and enjoys hiking with her friends on occasion!
Hamidah Sariff
Office Manager
Hamidah has more than 20+years in administration and operation. Her past experiences were mainly in Banking and finance, HR-Learning & Development department with POSB, DBS and UOB. Her experiences exposed her to many opportunities in communicating and dealing with multiple profiles of people across all levels, which have allowed her to gain vast improvements in her inter-personal skills. She is a firm believer in operating on the grounds of integrity, she relishes challenges and take full responsibilities of all tasks that were given to her. Being a fast learner and someone who thrives on challenges and with a growth and positive mindset, she always ready to try new task and roles.
She loves to do charitable work, in her free time, she joins her friends to cook for the elderly, visit the orphanage. Her new passion now is to feed stray cats and dogs. You will always see her carrying a plastic bag in the morning, that fill up with cat food.