A New Chapter Unfolds
With great pleasure, we announce the appointment of Ms. Gillian Presland as the new Secondary School Principal of Xi’an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS), commencing in August 2026. She will lead our secondary division into an exciting new chapter of excellence and growth.
An IB Navigator with Whole-Program Expertise
Ms. Presland brings 33 years of experience in education, with over two decades dedicated to leadership roles within international schools. Her deep commitment to IB education began in 2001, and she has since cultivated a holistic, system-wide perspective that seamlessly integrates pedagogy with school operations. Her distinguished career has spanned multiple cultural contexts across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Australia, forging a leadership style marked by exceptional cross-cultural fluency and a truly global outlook.
As the Director of Teaching and Learning at International School Ho Chi Minh City, she orchestrated the strategic alignment of the PYP, MYP, and DP curricula. Leading curriculum reviews, refining assessment systems, and driving faculty development, her work ensured a cohesive and rigorous academic journey for every student. This systematic pursuit of academic excellence stands as a core driver for a school’s journey from good to great. Her previous role as Deputy Head of Secondary and MYP Coordinator at Northbridge International School Cambodia saw her masterfully balancing academic, operational, and pastoral responsibilities. She guided the school through its IB program evaluation while overseeing daily functions such as faculty recruitment and retention, supported timetabling and scheduling, and parent communication, demonstrating how operational excellence underpins outstanding teaching and learning. Furthermore, her experience as part of the founding leadership team for the secondary section at KIS International School Bangkok provided invaluable insights into building a school from the ground up—from curriculum design and staff recruitment to shaping a vibrant school culture.
A Knowledgeable and Dedicated Mentor Committed to Empowering Growth
Ms. Presland holds a Master of Arts in International Education from King’s College London and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is a lifelong learner, having engaged in advanced studies at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University’s Future of Learning Summer Institute and Jim Knight’s Intensive Instructional Coaching Institute, ensuring her practice remains at the forefront of educational leadership.
Guided by the educational philosophy that “education transforms lives when it unites aspiration with belonging.” She is a visible and engaged leader who believes in creating a school culture where every individual feels seen, supported, and trusted to reach their full potential. She skillfully balances academic rigor with compassionate care, aiming to foster the holistic development of both students and teachers.
We are confident that Gillian Presland’s profound expertise across the IB continuum, her proven strategic leadership in diverse international settings, and her deeply human-centered approach will resonate powerfully with the XLIS school mission. We look forward to her guiding our secondary school towards an inspiring and impactful future.
Join us in extending a very warm welcome to Principal Gillian Presland.
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Author: HR Department
