IN FOCUS INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR:
Paul Wilson, Head Master, Brighton College (Singapore)
Firstly, welcome to Singapore! What's been your initial impressions of Singapore in your first six months?
Our family have been really impressed with Singapore so far and are settling in well on a person level. We’ve experienced several national holidays, our first Christmas in the sun, and it’s all been a joy so far.
I’ve been struck by how friendly people are, the Chamber being a good example of this, but also our local community who take the time to welcome new people, greet each other on the street and spend time enjoying meals together. It’s a lovely reflection on the culture here, despite how hard working and busy everyone is.
Over Chinese New Year, our neighbouring street held a big street party and welcomed everyone for the celebrations.
I’ve been really impressed with how the Government have handling the coronavirus and their long-term aspirations for the country.
You left behind the corporate world where you were a Chartered Accountant to become a teacher. What led you to make the switch and what advice would you give others who have similar aspirations to make a mid-career change?
I had great experiences in my time with PwC and was considering a move to China. During my training, I met my wife and of course it follows that those plans changed, so I reconsidered my career. I had always loved learning, especially maths, and enjoyed outward bound activities, so with the financial and moral support of my wife I re-trained as a teacher.
Any one of us is likely to be working for more than 40 years of our lives, so taking one year out to re-train is not actually that long a period in the bigger picture. In the UK and here in Singapore, there is plenty of support available for enhancing skills and changing careers, and you may be lucky enough, as I have, to find a new career that you love.
These
standards of kindness and the quality of those teaching and interacting with children are ingrained into me after eight years in Brighton, and I’m looking forward to getting started here in Singapore to instil these values.