Jill Coombs
Headteacher, Taman Melawati Centre

Originally from Devon in South West England, Jill earned a Master's Degree (M.A.) in Theatre Arts from Goldsmith's College London University. She also obtained a post graduate certificate in education (P.G.C.E.) in English and Drama and a B.A.(Hons) in Expressive Arts.

Jill has spent her professional life working in both education and theatre arts. Her career has spanned the U.K. and internationally the U.S.A., Spain, Japan and presently Malaysia. She has work experience with different age groups in both the private and public sectors. Positions in education in the public sector include being a guest lecturer and teacher trainer at various universities in the UK. She was also Head of Drama at a secondary school in London for six years. In Japan she taught in a private international preschool whilst studying Japanese culture.

Jill has worked with various international theatre companies that went on tour. She has also debuted in an independent film produced in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Her most recent TV credits include choreographing and acting in 'The Inspector Lynley Mysteries' series for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

After several holiday visits to Malaysia from Japan, Jill discovered Lorna Whiston Study Centre, where she found the positive and creative approach to teaching students was in line with her own ethos. She managed to secure employment in 2006 and soon became Speech and Drama Coordinator. She was appointed as Deputy Headteacher in 2010 and is now delighted to be given the opportunity to take on the role of Headteacher of the new centre in Taman Melawati.

Barbara-Anne Malana
Teacher

Barbara-Anne’s genuine love for children drove her to teach. It was always her lifelong dream and passion to teach young children. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education from the London Montessori Centre and is trained in various teaching methods such as the Sunshine Reading Programme, Letterland and Musikgarten. Being a compassionate and nurturing teacher, she has taught young children for the past 15 years.

Barbara-Anne is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Curtin, Australia. She is also working toward her certificate in TESL (Teachers of English as a Second Language).

Barbara-Anne has a diverse ethnic and cultural background. Having an English father and a Malaysian born mother, she spent her childhood travelling and living in foreign countries.

When she isn’t busy being a mother to her 15 year old daughter, she enjoys having coffee with friends and going to the theatre. She also loves curling up with a good book, sketching and experimenting in the kitchen.

Sue has been a Primary School Teacher for twenty four years with a special interest in Literacy. She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1975 with a Certificate in Primary Education. She taught in Wales for seven years teaching Welsh amongst other subjects.

Sue also taught Adult Literacy lessons to enable parents to help their own children in developing their reading skills.

She and her family re-located to Oxford in 2000 where she taught in two Independent Schools. She has 3 grown up children who live in the UK. Since being in Malaysia, Sue has worked at our Taman Tun Dr Ismail centre and has run a Jolly Phonics workshop for our teachers.

In her leisure time Sue likes cycling, travelling and sampling local cuisine. Sue has visited Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand and has enjoyed the warmth and friendliness shown to her husband and herself by all.

(In the midst of recruitment.)