ABOUT US School Council

School Council

Charles Wong Chairperson: Mr Charles WONG retired in 2007 as Assistant Commissioner of Police after 30 years of service in the Hong Kong Police. He is now the Director, Training and Development of the Construction Industry Council Training Academy preparing young people to be skilled craftsmen.

Vivian Cheung ESF Representative: I have been working for ESF for the past two years as the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining ESF, I worked in the investment banking industry for over 15 years, where I held senior positions in Finance, Internal Audit, Regional Management as well as Compliance. I am a qualified accountant from UK.
As Discovery College grows to its full capacity over the next few years, ensuring its financial sustainability is of high priority to the College and to ESF. I will continue to work with the School Council to solidify a sound financial strategy for the College.

Mark Beach Principal: I have worked as a teacher and principal in both my native New Zealand as well as in Tonga, Qatar and now here in HK. As principal of Discovery College, my focus is on the educational, social/emotional and physical well-being of the Discovery College community, and acknowledge the support of the School Council in helping to achieve this. Lead by a Chair and consisting of volunteer staff, parents, members of the wider community and a representatives of ESF, the School Council plays an important role in providing guidance and direction for the College.

Pat Romano Staff Representative: Having worked in the Australia construction / manufacturing industry for over 25 years my family and I moved Hong Kong in 2008. The opportunity to work at Discovery College was enticing and one which is challenging, exciting and rewarding. I look forward to continuing my work with the community, staff and other Council members as the College grows.

Robert Chaytor Staff Representative: I have been teaching for a number of years across various school systems in Australia mostly in independent schools. Having held various levels of responsibility at the schools I have a strong foundation in teaching and learning. I have previously served on School Boards at some of the schools I have taught in as well as the University of Western Sydney. I have a very keen interest in all things music and enjoy working with others as they explore and play music. I look forward to working with the other members of the College Council for a second term to benefit the students of Discovery College.

Catriona Tuimaka Staff Representative: I have had teaching, administrative and IB PYP Coordinator roles in schools in Australia, the Solomon Islands and Fiji Islands before coming now to Asia. I am in Hong Kong with my husband Frances and sons Anthony and Marco aged 17 and 15. I have been either a school council member or academic council member in all the schools I have worked in. I have been a member of many council sub committees most recently marketing, governance and finance; so bring a good deal of experience to my role of council member here at Discovery College. I am very interested in school planning and development and look forward to working with the other council members.

Elspeth Shaw Parent Representative: I am a long term Hong Kong resident having lived here both as a child and an adult. My daughter, Catherine, has been in Discovery College since it opened and is now in Year 7.
I have worked in the management of private houses both in the UK and here in Hong Kong, where I was The Housekeeper at Government House from 1990 until the handover in 1997.
I was elected Chair of the DCPTA in September 2010, and sit on the ESF Committee of Parents as the Discovery College PTA representative.

Frederic Guiral Parent Representative: I have been living in Discovery Bay since 2003 and in Hong Kong since 1990. We currently have 3 of our 4 daughters in classes at Discovery College. One in secondary and two in primary. We are a culturaly mixed family, i am French and my wife is Japanese. Our daughters were born in Hong Kong and they call it home. Professionaly i am the head for Asia for a French garment brand with more than 300 stores here. Besides i am the president of the "French Association for Solidarity" a French charity aimed at supporting Hong Kong French residents in need.

Kimberly Whiley Parent Representative: I arrived in Hong Kong from the USA in 1989. After working in many manufacturing firms, I started Tamco Holdings Ltd which offered both a buying office service for wholesalers of consumer products and also a publishing company for The Taxi Lingo Guides that I wrote in 2003. I have a daughter, Ann-Marie Whiley, at DC in Year 2 and a son, Timothy Whiley, at DBIS.

Alfred Wong Community Representative: Mr Wong is currently the Accounting Manager of the Construction Industry Council overseeing its finance, budget, levy and procurement operations. He has more than 25 years of diversified working experience in accounting, auditing and regulation.
Though educated in Hong Kong, Mr Wong has been seconded to work in London. He is a professional accountant in both Hong Kong and the UK.
When not in work, Mr Wong likes to spend time in reading, swimming and listening to classical music.

Ernest Lin Community Representative: I was born and raised in Hong Kong, of Chinese parentage. Professionally trained as a lawyer in the University of Hong Kong, I was in private practice as a barrister for over 10 years before joining the Hong Kong Judiciary as a Magistrate dealing mainly with criminal cases. Having been away from the education system for so long I join the Discovery College School Council with a view to learn rather than to pontificate. So far the experience has been humbling; I meet regularly with devoted and professional people and learn of fresh perspectives I would not otherwise come across.