Staff

Abby Cakebread-Andrews has joined the Primary School from The Independent School of Jakarta, a British preparatory school in Indonesia. Originally from the UK, she has taught in a wide range of international contexts across Europe and Asia. Abby holds a BA (Hons) in French and History from the University of Lancaster and completed her PGCE with Teach First, an educational charity in the UK.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures, as well as hiking and rock climbing / bouldering.

Alex joined BIST from the Canadian International School in Bangalore, India, where he was teaching French. He has previously worked as a French teacher at schools in England. Prior to becoming a teacher, Alex worked in international development including work with the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Alex was born in Hong Kong. He has an undergraduate degree in English and French from the University of Exeter and teaching qualifications from the University of Oxford. Alex enjoys languages, team sports and travel.

Alex is originally from the UK, but grew up in Japan and has worked at international schools around the world since 2007. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies and Japanese from University of Wales, Cardiff and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education specialising in Primary Education from the Billericay Educational Consortium. He is the Year 1 teacher, as well as the EYKS1 Coordinator and Director of Studies at BIST. He loves Japan and offer a weekly Japanese club to primary students at BIST.

Alfie joins BIST from a school in Lancashire where he is teaching Science and Physics. Prior to this he worked at schools in the UK and Kyrgyzstan. Alfie studied at the University of Sheffield and the University of Cumbria. He is originally from London. Alfie’s interests include a wide range of outdoor pursuits, meditation and cooking.

Andrew returned to BIST where he previously worked as a Science and Mathematics teacher for four years. During 2023-24, Andrew spent time enjoying the trekking possibilities in Georgia whilst working as a private Mathematics tutor.

Caroline von Bemberg has joined the Language Department as a German teacher. Originally from Cologne, Germany, she has taught German, Latin, and Art at a high school (Gymnasium) for nearly ten years. She has expanded her qualifications in teaching German as a foreign language through the Goethe-Institut and currently teaches at the Goethe-Institut in Tbilisi. In Germany, she has also worked with Ukrainian refugee children. In addition, Caroline is a trained actress and voice artist, with stage experience in Bonn and Aachen, as well as in radio drama. She has led school drama clubs and enjoys choral singing, cooking, traveling, and reading. We warmly welcome Caroline to the BIST community.

Rebecca Browng-Stamp has joined the Primary Department at BIST. She brings twenty-nine years of teaching experience from schools across the UK and around the world—including Mongolia, Germany, and Kazakhstan. Most recently, she spent four years at a well-known prep school in the southwest of England. Rebecca studied Geography at the University of Birmingham and completed her PGCE at the University of Lancaster.ni

Outside the classroom, she enjoys walking in the hills, skiing in the mountains, and a good coffee while people-watching. She also loves spending time with her family and their dog.

Chantal joined BIST from a school in Thailand where she was a Key Stage 1 teacher. Prior to this she worked in similar roles at schools in Taiwan. Chantal studied at Moreland University in the USA and the University of the Free State in her native South Africa. Chantal’s interests include photography, yoga, and the cuisines of places she visits.

Christopher joined BIST after serving as Head of Geography at a large school in North London. He has an honours degree in Geography from Staffordshire University and teaching qualifications from nearby University of Keele. Christopher is from East Yorkshire.

Christopher moved to Tbilisi from a British school in Montenegro. He has previously worked at schools in Australia and Kazakhstan and before becoming a teacher was a youth football coach at Arsenal and Oxford United in the UK and Perth Glory in Australia. Christopher studied both Sports Science and Education at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. In his free time, Christopher enjoys a wide range of adventure and traditional sports. Christopher is originally from Wollongong, in New South Wales in Australia.

Ciar joined our English faculty from a school in London where she had worked since qualifying as a teacher. She studied English and the teaching of English at University College London and the Institute of Education. In her free time, Ciar enjoys films, literature and travel. Ciar is originally from Stockport, near Manchester, in the UK.

Clifford joins BIST from our fellow Black Sea School, British International School of Ukraine where he has been Assistant Head of Secondary School and a Science teacher. Prior to working in Ukraine, Clifford worked at schools in China, Russia, Kuwait, the Falkland Islands and the Isle of Man. Clifford studied at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Edge Hill University and is from Lancashire. Clifford’s interests include board games, computer games, Scottish dancing and walking.

Darin has been working at BIST for the last year, initially as maternity cover teacher for Foundation 2 and then teaching English as an Additional Language. He is now our Year 1 teacher.

Davia Lionel has joined BIST as the Year 2L class teacher. She brings a strong understanding of the British curriculum and modern teaching strategies, having worked in outstanding schools across the UK. Davia holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Queen Mary University of London and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, equipping her with a deep understanding of child development and learning. Most recently, she taught at a British school in Panama.

Davia is excited to embrace Georgian traditions and enjoys staying active and exploring new places in her free time.

Following ten years working as an accountant in the investment management and aerospace sectors in the US and Europe, David trained as a mathematics teacher and has since taught in Europe, Africa and Asia, across the age range and predominantly at A Level. He has also recently started teaching Economics, drawing on his experience working with several investment management firms to provide practical insight to students studying the course. His hobbies include weightlifting.