“Tomorrow’s leaders need to communicate thoughtfully, collaborate with purpose, solve problems creatively and be critical thinkers”.
Introducing the new Principal of Sri KDU International School - Mr George Piacentini.
Mr Piacentini has spent over 30 years leading schools around the world. He holds a B.Ed in Primary Education, a Diploma in Religious Education and is a graduate from Glasgow University. He spent two years teaching in Scotland before joining Qatar International School, Doha as classroom teacher, whole school science coordinator and general science teacher for Key Stage 3. He then moved to Sandford International School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as Head of Years 5 and 6 and Director of the Summer School. Seeking new adventures he went to work in The British School of Caracas, Venezuela as Head of Junior School. He was then asked to be Principal at The International School of Moshi then went on to become Principal at The International School of Singapore. After six years in Southeast Asia, he wanted a further challenge so he joined The International School of Helsinki as Principal.
Seeking to develop his skills in strategic and operational leadership, he was then invited to be Director of Ihsan Dogramaci Bilkent Erbil College in Iraq, a foundation school, offering an IB Programme up to Key Stage 5 then he moved to Nigeria to be Director of The International School of IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture), a school that offered IBPYP, supported by English National Curriculum, in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and English National Curriculum in Key Stage 3.
He most recently was founder and executive director of George Piacentini Consultancy (GPC) focused on supporting school improvement. GPC has most recently helped a variety of international and national educational organizations in Nigeria, allowing them develop a better understanding of how to effectively implement child protection procedures and practices in their organizations, how to develop their curriculum and nurture effective middle and senior leadership. George has also been very involved in the Council of International Schools (CIS) school evaluation and accreditation process, supporting school improvement, by leading teams that have visited many schools in the last 20 years. He has also led joint accreditation and synchronized visits with CIS/New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) / Middle Schools Association (MSA)/ Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). He is currently leading a new CIS online accreditation protocol.
He is certified in International School Leadership from the Principals’ Training Centre, London. In addition, he has gained further professional credentials through the International Leadership and Management Programme at Bath University. He is currently a member of the Graduate School of Education at University of Exeter where he is further developing his passion for Educational Leadership with a focus on teaching and learning in a global context. He has supported the candidacy, authorization and re-authorization of IB programmes in various international schools around the world.
He is passionate about school improvement with a particular focus on a school’s Purpose and Direction, Learning, Support and Well-Being and being a Global Citizen. George has varied passions from amateur dramatics, to singing in a rock and roll band to cooking. He is happily married to Dr. Eylem Piacentini, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, specializing in IVF, and they are the delighted parents of Master Antonio Andrea Piacentini.
His vision is for the school to be the best international school in the world. He aims to prepare tomorrow’s leaders, develop how they embed the school’s vision, mission and how the whole school community exemplifies high quality learning. He believes in support and well-being for all stakeholders in the community and what it means to be internationally minded.
Mr Piacentini and his family are very excited to be joining the Sri KDU community!
We visited numerous international schools in Klang-Valley and Sri KDU Subang Jaya was not even on our list. Reason being it is way out of our travelling radius. However, we are glad we made the visit to the school before our final call, and it was the best decision ever! It was a huge transition period for us during the first 2 weeks into school, but the school’s team (Teachers, Administrative and Parent’s Teacher Association) made us feel right at home. We were given clear guidance and was kept well informed on the happenings in the school. My daughter blended into the community quite well with the care provided by the Homeroom teacher. All the teachers here are the kindest, as she told me. She looks forward to going to school and has become more disciplined in terms on knowing what tasks she needs to complete daily. She has gained so much confidence during this short period of time and was given the encouragement to explore and develop her abilities here. She was just selected as the new Primary House Captain for Year 6 AY2022/2023.
Every parent want to find the ‘perfect’ school for their child and are afraid of making the wrong decision. For us, as long she is safe and happy, we believe, she will eventually find the way to her own success.