Simon Weight

Principal

Simon Weight is an experienced educator who has been involved in the education field for 33 years. Simon hails from Oxford in the United Kingdom and after 15 years of teaching and managing in the UK, mainly at Abingdon School, he moved to Qatar to broaden his experience in education. Simon worked as a teacher and manager at Dukhan English School in Qatar for 6 years. He was part of the founding team at Keystone Academy in Beijing and was instrumental in establishing many key aspects of the school during his 5 years tenure. Simon left Keystone to join RDFZ King’s College School in Hangzhou, originally as the primary school Principal but moving into the secondary school as Principal for his final two years. Simon became the Principal of CWA WES International in 2022 and has successfully modernised and propelled the school forward into the global education market.

Kate Wu

Head of High School

Kate Wu is an educator known for her patience and approachability. She holds a Masters Degree from Central South University and has extensive experience in international high school teaching, helping many students gain admission to renowned universities. Kate has ensured that WES International students have received multiple offers from top universities in th UK, USA, Australia, Singapore and Hongkong.

She is dedicated to fostering a diverse educational environment, emphasising independent thinking and creativity to enhance her students' future opportunities.In her management role at WES International high school, she has led significant improvements in student admissions, extracurricular activities, and the international curriculum. Her commitment to educational excellence has been essential in creating a vibrant learning community. Kate wholeheartedly believes in the holistic education of each student in her care and has created leadership opportunities and community interactions for her students.

John Palgrave

Head of Early Years

John is a dedicated kindergarten teacher and Early Years manager originally from Birmingham, UK, whose passion for education has taken him on a rewarding journey to Hunan. A graduate of Aberystwyth University in the UK, he has spent the last decade shaping the minds of young learners, dedicating the past five years exclusively to Early Years education. Trained and certified in the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Early Years settings, John is committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives and young minds can flourish. Since his arrival at WES, he has been instrumental in transforming the Early Years department, overseeing increased resources and facilities that have enhanced the learning experience of the students. John’s innovative management and nurturing approach have garnered respect from both students and colleagues alike. He remains deeply invested in his community, believing that education extends beyond the classroom and into the hearts and minds of every child.

Samantha Zeelie has over 11 years of experience teaching young learners, with 7 years spent teaching in China before joining CWA WES International. Originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Samantha moved to China after earning her Bachelor of Education degree.

At CWA WES International, she has taught across both the Early Years (EY) and Primary Years Programme (PYP).

As the Head of Primary, Samantha is dedicated to nurturing and guiding our students to become internationally minded, lifelong learners. Samantha is an exceptional motivator of both students and teachers alike and has stamped her qualities across the Primary school.

Achmat (Ace) Rinquest is a passionate and dedicated educator from Cape Town, South Africa. With over 16 years of rich teaching experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of diverse learning environments and educational philosophies. Ace holds a Bachelor of Education degree, which has laid a strong foundation for his teaching career. His professional journey spans a decade of working with the South African curriculum, where he has expertly guided students through academic challenges while fostering their individual growth. In addition to his local education expertise, he has embraced a global perspective by teaching the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) and Cambridge Lower Secondary curriculum. This diverse array of experiences has allowed Ace to develop a versatile teaching style that is both adaptive and responsive to the unique needs of his learners. Ace is committed to creating a positive, engaging, and inclusive classroom atmosphere where students from all backgrounds feel valued and inspired. His dedication to cultivating meaningful connections with his students ensures they thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.