Get to know a new expat educator at Dulwich Singapore
SARAH CONRAD is a returning expat educator. Since August 2024, she has been at Dulwich College (Singapore). She tells us what she’s excited about since assuming the role of Head of Dulwich College Kindergarten School (DUCKS) in Singapore.
Where are you from originally and what do you miss about it?
I’m from Surrey but I’ve lived in Essex, where my husband Simon is from, for the last 28 years. Both places have some beautiful countryside; I miss walking through the changing colours of autumn and the daffodil meadows of spring.
What brought you to Singapore?
I taught in Singapore from 1994 to 1998. What brought me back was this educator opportunity with DUCKS Singapore. Simon is also a teacher at Dulwich Singapore; our daughters, now 27 and 22, both live in London.
What drew you to join Dulwich in Singapore?
I’ve been a primary school teacher for over 30 years, a Director of Music for 20 years and a Headteacher within the British independent sector for 16 years. I’m also an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Most importantly, I’m passionate about early years education.
DUCKS Singapore offers a British-style independent school education but with an immersive Dual Language programme. When I visited the College and saw young children speaking both English and Mandarin, it was truly inspiring. The values of Dulwich Singapore align with my own. There’s an emphasis on global citizenship, service and sustainability so that the children become internationally minded.
Of course, the raison d’être of offering an outstanding academic education is a dream come true!
What does a typical working day at Dulwich Singapore look like for you?
On arriving at school, I check emails before meeting with my senior team about the day ahead. I then personally welcome the children into school before walking around all the classrooms supporting teaching and learning.
What follows after can look very different from day to day, which is what I love about the job! I can be dealing with suppliers about the new resources we are purchasing for our early years’ settings, having strategy meetings with the College leadership team or playing in the sand and water trays with Reception!
What’s your favourite thing to do in Dulwich Singapore?
Teaching music is something I love. Helping with the choir, teaching songs in assembly, getting out the percussion instruments with a class or creating a musical accompaniment to a song – these are some of my favourite things to do in school.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2025?
In school, I’m trying to learn Mandarin – with mixed success! Outside of school, Simon and I have ballroom and Latin dance lessons every week. Our goal is to be able to dance a range of styles without too many mistakes!
If you weren’t an educator, what would you be doing?
My father and brother are professional musicians so I may have followed in their footsteps. During my gap year, I worked in Germany and Switzerland and considered going down the diplomatic route.
What are a few things you like to do when you’re not working?
I really enjoy walking in nature and am lucky enough to live near the Rail Corridor so I can quickly immerse myself in the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
Dulwich College (Singapore) is at 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8.
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org