Jo Roberts, a British national, has been an integral part of EIS for the past decade. Starting as a teacher, her dedication and passion have seen her rise through various leadership roles, including Head of Early Years and Primary, Deputy Head of School, and Acting Head of School. Known for her close relationship with parents and her unwavering commitment to Early Years and Primary students, Jo will continue to serve as Head of Early Years and Primary alongside her new role as Co-Head of School. With over 20 years of international teaching experience across Taiwan, New Zealand, China, and Vietnam, Jo brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to inclusion and personalised learning. Her deep connection to the EIS community and vision for the school are key drivers in her approach to leadership. Outside of work, Jo is a keen swimmer and enjoys spending time with her teenage daughter.

Ben Armstrong, an Australian national, joins EIS after a notable 15-year tenure at AIS, where he served as Secondary Principal for four years. With 17 years of experience in Middle and High School education, including eight years as a principal, Ben's expertise is well-suited for his new role as Co-Head of School and Head of Middle & High School at EIS. Having lived in Vietnam for 12 years, Ben has a deep understanding of the educational needs of Middle and High School students in Ho Chi Minh City. He holds bachelor's degrees in both Science and Education and a Master of Educational Leadership. Ben is particularly passionate about using data to enhance teaching and learning and fostering collaborative communities between school and home. He enjoys health and fitness activities and spending time outdoors with his wife and two young sons.

Both Jo and Ben are enthusiastic about the opportunities presented by the dual leadership model. According to Ben, "Having Co-Heads of School provides several opportunities for EIS. Firstly, we can harness the power of collaborative leadership by leveraging our different strengths, experiences, and perspectives to enhance decision-making and problem-solving. This model can foster innovative solutions and new approaches to school management and education, increasing the availability and accessibility of school leadership to the community." Jo shares a similar sentiment, emphasising the natural fit of a collaborative model for EIS. "As the saying goes, 'Two heads are better than one!' This dual leadership model allows Ben and me to share the many and varied responsibilities of running a school, leading to a more balanced and sustainable approach to school leadership. Collaboration is embedded within the culture of EIS, and as such, a Co-Head leadership model seems to be a natural fit for our school."

Both leaders are committed to aligning their individual visions and goals to ensure a cohesive strategy for the future of EIS. "Open communication is key to ensuring alignment and transparency when setting common goals," Ben explains. "By developing a shared vision and set of goals for the school, we can ensure we are both working towards the same objectives." Jo adds, "As a community school that is collaborative by nature, we will work together in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure our future planning is cohesive and consistent with our mission and vision."

Jo and Ben are particularly excited about several projects and developments, including the Campus Enhancement Projects completed over the summer. These upgrades include improvements to the Early Learning classrooms, field roof and turf, IB Centre, and break-out spaces, as well as a new pick-up/drop-off area. Ben is also enthusiastic about advancing the use of Educational Technology (EdTech) at EIS. "We plan to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology through Inspired AI to create individualised learning plans and resources for all students in Mathematics, English, and Science. Additionally, we will use Virtual Reality (VR) to bring learning to life, allowing students to immerse themselves in their studies and connect with other Inspired students worldwide."

As they embark on this new chapter in EIS's history, Jo and Ben are eager to engage with parents and the wider community to build a strong, supportive network around the school. "Both Jo and I firmly believe that a strong relationship between school and home is essential in ensuring EIS students fulfil their absolute potential," Ben says. Jo echoes this sentiment, adding, "By building on the outstanding work of every member of the EIS community over the past nine years, with new and redeveloped facilities and additional staffing in key areas, we are in an extremely strong position to ensure EIS provides a premium international education for every student. It is an exciting time that we want everyone in the EIS community to be a part of."

In summary, the introduction of a dual leadership model at EIS marks an exciting and innovative step forward for the school. With Jo Roberts and Ben Armstrong at the helm, EIS is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and provide an enriched educational experience for all its students.