International School of Ho Chi Minh City announces new headmaster

With almost four decades of educational leadership experience, Leslie is well equipped to guide one of Ho Chi Minh City’s leading educational institutions into its next phase of academic growth.

"Our school has undergone a significant transformation in the past year," said Interim Headmaster Jeff Wornstaff. "We’ve upgraded our facilities, introduced a 1:1 tablet programme in the middle and high school, added more academic testing and incorporated new educational standards and benchmarks to support the framework of the IB programme.

These measures ensure 21st century learning and a school focused on academic excellence.  I can’t tell you how excited we are to have Simon on board with ISHCMC.  He brings with him a world of knowledge and his appointment is a huge win for the school.”

During a career of almost four decades, Leslie has served in teacher, administrator and headmaster roles in schools in his native Australia and internationally in Thailand and Tanzania.  Leslie joins ISHCMC from his latest posting where he served as headmaster for eight years at the New International School of Thailand (NIST), Bangkok.

“I am delighted to be joining such a fine international school with such a great reputation in the educational community.  My experience running an IB World School will be utilised here as we continue to grow and ensure we are well poised to maintain an excellent school focused on academic excellence, leading-edge technology and the creation of a new generation of global citizens,”  said Leslie.

ISHCMC has been successfully graduating students to high-profile overseas colleges and universities since 2005.  ISHCMC is the only school in Ho Chi Minh City that is fully accredited by both The Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC), two of the most prestigious international school accreditation organisations.  

ISHCMC has two campuses with two different curriculums, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the American Curriculum.  ISHCMC students study towards the International Baccalaureate (IB) whilst students at AAVN, which prepares students for further education abroad specifically in the US, graduate with an American High School Diploma.