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- Head's Huddle
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MEET OUR
LEADERSHIP TEAM
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL, DR. MICHELLE KLEISS
As the first and oldest international school in Sri Lanka, I would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to OSC! We are fully committed to guiding our community of learners toward international and intercultural understanding. As an IB World School, OSC develops the whole child as a responsible learner, striving for personal excellence within a culturally diverse environment.
Dually accredited, and fully IB authorized, OSC operates at the highest standards ensuring that its students are at the centre of all decision-making. Starting from the IB Primary Years Program and moving into the Middle Years and High School IB Diploma Programs, OSC is steadfast in its vision to build independent, caring, and responsible world citizens who integrate perspectives, think critically and are unwavering in contributing at both local and global levels to help shape a more sustainable world. OSC students are agents of their own learning who recognize that “together, embracing our differences, we can make a greater impact.” We aim to be the best international school in Sri Lanka.
Our students are welcoming and accepting. Eager and interested in learning, they follow their passions and personalized education. Upon graduation, they matriculate to universities of choice all over the world. The IB Diploma, widely acknowledged as the best preparation for post-secondary success, is highly recognized worldwide and provides the widest reach to all university systems across all nations.
OSC achieves its educational aims by attracting highly experienced, qualified, and enthusiastic teachers from all over the world. Our outstanding staff and faculty pride themselves in providing a positive and growth-minded learning environment which offers academic rigor paralleled by a diverse array of interesting and challenging programs including leadership opportunities, service activities, performing arts, and athletics.
OSC families hail from more than 40 countries imparting our motto “Unity in Diversity.” We view all of our parents as partners and work in a genuine parent-school partnership encouraging all community members to achieve our mission.
We all look forward to welcoming you to the OSC family
Dr. Michelle Kleiss
Head of School
Latest Head's Huddle
Dr. Michelle Kleiss - Head of School
Dr. Kleiss has been at OSC since 2019. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, she started her international schools career in 1994 and brings 28 years of experience serving and leading accredited international schools across eight countries: USA, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Germany, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and now Sri Lanka. Her research interests are in how culture influences communication styles across the international school landscape, and strongly believes in parent engagement in schools, system thinking, inclusive education and developing an ethos for continuous improvement. She volunteers her time Chairing accreditation visira world wide for MSA and CIS. Dr. Kleiss lives and breathes the motto "Unity in Diversity" and values integrative thinking and distributed leadership. She is a proud mom with a Gecko attending OSC.
Mr. Jason Grandbois - Primary Principal
Mr. Grandbois has been a proud OSC Gecko since 2011. Born and raised in Kenora, ON, Canada, Mr. Grandbois has a passion for the outdoors, and he loves to explore and learn about new cultures. He began his teaching career in Canada and then moved into international education in Egypt, Peru, Tanzania, and then Sri Lanka. He is joined by his wife, Kelly, and his three children, one of whom graduated from OSC and is now attending UBC in Canada.
Ms. Samantha Wood - Primary Asst. Principal / PYP Coordinator
Samantha began working at OSC in 2019. While she is originally from Colorado, USA, she has spent the last ten years overseas working in International schools in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Samantha specializes in social and emotional learning and conceptually based elementary curriculum. Her passion lies in helping learners to inquire and take action on the issues that matter most to them. In her free time Samantha enjoys traveling with her husband, reading fiction books to clear her mind, and exercising outdoors.
Mr. Jake Eagle - Secondary Asst. Principal / MYP Coordinator
Jake joined OSC in August 2021 as the MYP Coordinator and Secondary Assistant Principal. He has been working in IB schools around the world for the last 18 years before arriving at the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Originally an English Language & Literature teacher, he has taught in both Hong Kong and Germany as a curriculum coordinator, projects coordinator and department leader. He is passionate about building a school culture in which students learn the skills, knowledge and dispositions which will allow them to face any challenge that comes their way. He joins the OSC community with his wife, an amazing art teacher, his son and his daughter who attend the secondary and primary school respectively.
Dr. Philip Leigh - Diploma Coordinator
Dr. Philip Leigh joined OSC as a Language and Literature teacher in 2018 and took on the role of Diploma Coordinator in 2022. After beginning his teaching career in his home country of the United States in 2001, he has been teaching internationally since 2011, working first in Taiwan before moving to Sri Lanka. His professional interests are shaped by his studies in sociolinguistics, which have inspired him to embrace the immense variety of ways in which language functions with social and cultural contexts. His personal interests include a lifelong interest in baseball and a recent enthusiasm for cricket. Philip believes deeply that the door to learning for students and for educators is never closed.
Mr. Steve Turner - Director of Athletics
Mr. Turner is from the UK. He brings to us over 30 years of teaching experience. He joined OSC in 2012 and has taught at International Schools in South East Asia and East Africa. During his time in International Education, he has taught the British and the IB Middle Years and Diploma curricula in several subjects, including Physical Education & Geography. He is currently Head of Physical Education & Athletics Director and enjoys nothing more than seeing students develop their love for moving.
Ms. Heather Lee - Head of Learning Support / Primary Counsellor
Ms. Lee has been at OSC since 2021 and brings a broad range of international experience in Educational Psychology, Counseling, Community Mental Health, and Psychotherapy. In the past 15 years, Ms. Lee has worked in numerous countries in the Middle East, Europe, and North America in both the school and clinical settings. She brings a passion for bridging social-emotional learning with the academic setting.
Ms. Vidya Niyangoda
Ms. Niyangoda has been at OSC since 2013. She brings 26 years of experience in managing and leading operations in the areas of Financial Services, Business Analysis, and General Management. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Ms. Niyangoda has previously worked in the for-profit sector in leading local and international companies such as John Keells Group, Richard Peiris Group, and Aviva Global Services.
Mr. Chrishan Fernando - Head of Maintenance & Facilities
Crishan has been at OSC since 2017 as Head of Facilities and Maintenance. He brings 18 years of engineering experience in Mechanical engineering, Project management, and Operations. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from the University of Peradeniya, followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Colombo. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka. Crishan has previously worked for Multinational companies in the Sustainable Energy sector, and in the Apparel sector in leading local and international companies such as Kramski and Brandix.
Mr. Ajith Nathaniels - Head of Security & Transport
Ajith Nathaniels has served at OSC since 2019. He served in the Sri Lankan Air force for 23 years. He holds a Master’s Degree in Management. Mr. Nathaniels has previously worked as the Head Of Security for the National Development Bank (NDB) for 10 years and before that as an Administration Manager of the Janashakthi Insurance company for nearly two years.
Ms. Kanchana de Silva - Director of Admissions
Kanchana joined OSC as Director of Admissions in 2021. She possesses 25 years of experience serving higher education institutions and foreign missions. Originally from Sri Lanka, she has lived in the USA, UK, Italy, and India. She enjoys listening to music and reading in her spare time.
Mr. Antony Rappai - Director of Technology
Mr. Antony Rappai has been at OSC since 2019 and brings in 14 years of experience in Educational technology. Originally from India, Mr. Antony worked in an international school in Qatar for 13 years and is specialized in bridging the gaps between teaching, learning, systems, and processes. Antony likes jogging, video games, and cooking in his free time.