Staff Faculty

Meredith has been a teacher for more than thirty years and has had the privilege of working both in Australia and abroad. Her experiences include teaching at Jerudong International School, Brunei, The British International School of Budapest and Harrow International School, Bangkok. 

In her free time, she loves to travel and discover new places. She also loves connecting with nature and being outdoors, whether it be walking, skiing or swimming. She is a creative person who hand stitches and crochets and is passionate about reading. 

Robert joined Harrow Appi as a member of the founding team in 2022. He holds a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in Piano Performance, and studied for his undergraduate degree in Music at the University of Leeds before undertaking postgraduate teacher training at the University of Reading. In recent years, his academic interests have centred around the sociological and anthropological aspects of music education, to which end he completed a Master’s degree at UCL in 2022.

Prior to joining Harrow Appi, Robert has worked as a teacher for over 16 years with areas of responsibility in boarding, academic and whole-school leadership. Most recently he had the great pleasure of working in a leading London independent school where he directed choirs in some of the nation’s foremost cathedrals and university colleges. Prior to this he was Director of Music at an international boarding school in Malaysia, from where he first travelled to Japan, finding it so magical and enchanting that he was instantly drawn to Harrow Appi.

Having been educated at a UK full-boarding school set in the mountainous Lake District of England, he is passionate about creating performance opportunities through which students can explore their creative talents and thrive, free from the pressures and distractions of urban life. 

Design has always been a significant part of Mia’s life, even from a very young age. It is something that brings her immense joy, and sharing that passion with young people is a true privilege. This year marks Mia’s second year as Head of the Design & Technology and Art Department at Harrow Appi. With her experience teaching in large, busy inner London schools, she has developed strong planning, pastoral, and curriculum expertise.

Having spent her career teaching across both Design Technology and Art, Mia’s understanding and experience of various specialisms will allow her to continue growing and expanding an already successful department. She will facilitate the delivery of innovative, holistic education for students.

Mia is excited to continue exploring ways of bringing the classroom outdoors, using the beautiful natural environment and local community to enrich student learning and their overall experience. 

I am the Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department, here at Harrow Appi. This is a most welcome return for me, as I started my international teaching career in Japan in 2000. I spent five wonderful years teaching in places such as Oomiya, Nagoya and Shibuya. Following this, I was fortunate enough to find a small teaching position at the British Council in Singapore. There I honed my international teaching skills, teaching from 2 year-olds to 82 year-olds. I taught students from everywhere from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe. Soon I sort new challenges, becoming a trainer and leader of other teachers.

When I left Singapore, I had achieved the position of Head of Academic Management Systems and Support for British Council Singapore. However, I missed teaching, and wanted to explore more of Asia. So for the past three years I have been the EAL Specialist at Dehong International Chinese School, Shanghai. There, I became better acquainted with teaching Chinese students, and training other teachers to do so as well.

To supplement my years of teaching and training experience, I have also acquired a range of qualifications. In addition to my degree in Psychology, from the University of Plymouth, and my PGCEi from The University of Nottingham, I am also a certified CELTA and DELTA trained teacher and TYLEC tutor.

My personal interests include reading and visiting the cinema. 

I am from the UK and first came to Japan 36 years ago on the JET programme teaching English in schools on Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture and then working as JET Programme Coordinator in Tokyo for a year before returning to take a Masters degree in Japanese Studies at Sheffield University. In 1992, I returned to Japan to work for the Japan Intercultural Academy for Municipalities in Shiga prefecture. During that time, I competed in the Japan Ironman Triathlon three years in succession.

After finishing a PGCE in Japanese and French at Nottingham University I set up the largest state secondary school Japanese Department at Tavistock College and a successful Japanese exchange programme with Edogawa ward in Tokyo. In 2013, I received the National award for Teacher of the Year in a UK Secondary School and in 2014 received the Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation for distinguished contribution to friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the UK as a language teacher. I enjoy running and cycling in my spare time and have taken part in many marathons and half marathons in both Japan and the UK.

Christopher is an accomplished educator with over a decade of international experience in Physical Education. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Christopher’s journey began with an undergraduate degree in Sports Studies, which paved the way for an exciting opportunity to coach football teams in the USA. This experience not only sharpened his coaching skills but also deepened his passion for nurturing young people.

Returning to the UK, Christopher dedicated himself to improving Physical Education in primary schools, before advancing his expertise with a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education from Liverpool John Moores University. Commencing his career in the United Kingdom, new opportunities then took him to Oman and later to Macau, where he spent six successful years, including four as Head of Physical Education. During this time, he earned an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Portsmouth, further enhancing his leadership credentials.

At Harrow Appi, Christopher is committed to inspiring students to develop a lifelong love for physical activity. He focuses on helping them hone transferable skills through sport and physical activity, encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle. As a lifelong athlete himself, Christopher relishes the outdoor pursuits that Appi offers, from golf and mountain biking to snowboarding, fully embracing the active lifestyle he promotes. 

Philip Alexander has been a Secondary Teacher for over thirty years and in five different countries – Australia, Brunei, Hungary, Thailand and now Japan. He was born in Brisbane, Australia in a family that was very into sports and outdoor pursuits. He has organised and participated in hiking, canoeing, cycling and camping expeditions in Australia, Canada, Nepal and Thailand, often in very remote locations.

After leaving school, he completed a degree in Applied Chemistry followed by a degree in Education and has worked in several prestigious private schools in Australia and many international schools around the world. He has a passion for Science and teaching and has taught all three Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) at A Level during his career.

Outside of work, his passions are cycling (both road and mountain bike), volleyball and rugby. 

Shelley Long, originally from South Africa, is a passionate sports enthusiast who has dedicated much of her life to swimming and water polo. With over four years of experience as Director of Sport at Reddam House in South Africa, her career took an exciting turn when she and her husband relocated to Hong Kong. There, she contributed her expertise to the Aquatics Department at Hong Kong International School before eventually moving to the scenic mountains of Iwate.

Shelley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Science, a PGCE in Physical Education, and a master’s degree in Sports Business Management. Her love for the outdoors, especially camping and exploring nature, complements her deep commitment to promoting physical activity and sports education. She is particularly passionate about helping young people develop athletic skills, build character, and embrace leadership through participation in sports. Her experience in international education has been incredibly fulfilling, as she thrives on connecting with diverse students and staff from around the world.