Celebrating Lifelong Learning: Recognising Our 2024-2025 Federico Olivie Fund Winners
At ISP, we believe in the power of lifelong learning. The ISP value of “Learn Continuously” is not just something we instil in our students—it is a guiding principle for our staff as well. We are committed to creating a culture of ongoing professional development where every team member is supported in their journey to grow and excel.
Professional Development at ISP: Investing in Our People
All our staff—both teaching and non-teaching—benefit from a robust range of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. To further champion this commitment, ISP established the Federico Olivie Fund in 2021. This annual grant was created in memory of Federico Olivie, a valued colleague and friend of ISP who passed away in 2015. The fund honours his legacy by supporting staff who wish to enhance their expertise and skills through additional training or formal study.
What is The Federico Olivie Fund?
The ISP Federico Olivie Fund provides financial assistance to ISP Middle East colleagues who wish to pursue accredited courses or qualifications that improve their professional practice. Each year, the fund is open to applications from staff across ISP Middle East schools, and recipients are selected based on the following key criteria:
- A clear demonstration of how the chosen course will positively impact their school’s academic, social-emotional, or operational performance.
- A proven commitment to their students and school community.
- A track record of excellence in their current role and a willingness to go above and beyond.
Congratulations to Our 2024–2025 Federico Olivie Fund Winners
We are proud to announce this year’s Federico Olivie Fund recipients across ISP Middle East schools:
- Emily Duffy – Head of Year 7 and PE Teacher, The English College
- Safwan Almokdad – EAL Teacher, The Hamilton International School
- Christopher Perry – Head of Secondary, Park House English School
- Janice Reyes – Inclusion, High-Level LSA, Star International School, Mirdif
Get to know our winners:
 |
Name: Emily Duffy School: English College Position: Head of Year 7 and PE Teacher Course: National Professional Qualification Senior Leader Course
With over a decade of experience in education, Emily has a strong background in PE and pastoral leadership. Since joining The English College nearly two years ago, she has been passionate about developing the whole child—fostering resilience, confidence, and character in her students.
Thanks to the fund, Emily will now be pursuing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) to further enhance her leadership capabilities.
Here is what Emily had to say about receiving the Fund:
"I’m incredibly grateful to ISP for awarding me this grant to complete the NPQSL. This support allows me to continue growing as a leader, and I’m excited to use the knowledge and skills I gain to drive meaningful change and continue to contribute to the ongoing development of our school community." |
|
Name: Safwan Almokdad School: The Hamilton International School Position: EAL Teacher Course: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
Safwan brought a wealth of experience and passion for language education when he joined The Hamilton International School this year. He is focused on creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments that empower multilingual learners.
With the support of the fund, Safwan will be completing his Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)—an internationally recognised qualification.
On receiving the Fund, Safwan said :
"Being awarded the opportunity to complete the CELTA has been a significant milestone in my professional development. I anticipate that the comprehensive training I will receive, with its emphasis on language acquisition and learner-centred methodologies, will significantly enhance my teaching practice... I hope my learning will contribute to a more inclusive, engaging, and effective educational experience for all students, fostering a school community that thrives on mutual respect, cultural diversity, and academic excellence." |
|
|
|
Name: Christopher Perry School: Park House English School Position: Head of Secondary Course: National Professional Qualification for Headship NPQH
Chris has been with ISP for four years, recently taking on his new leadership role at Park House English School, after being at The Hamilton International School previously. With the support of the fund, he’ll be undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Here’s what Chris had to say about being one of this year’s fund recipient:
"I am delighted to have received the award to continue my professional development. I believe that we should all be lifelong learners, and this gives me the opportunity to pursue that in a way that will not only impact me, but also positively benefit Park House. I’m looking forward to discovering what I don’t yet know about leadership." |
|
Name: Janice Reyes School: Star International School, Mirdif Position: Inclusion-High Level LSA Course: International Behavior Therapist (IBT) & Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT)
With over 24 years in education—14 of those at Star International School, Mirdif—Janice has dedicated her career to creating inclusive N, nurturing learning environments. She will be using the fund to pursue dual certifications as an International Behavior Therapist (IBT) and Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT).
In Janice’s own words, here is what she had to say about receiving the fund:
"Receiving the Federico Olivie Fund is a valuable opportunity that I truly appreciate. It enables me to further develop my knowledge and bring that learning back to benefit our students and school. I look forward to introducing fresh strategies and resources into our Inclusion interventions—strengthening support for students and helping our school community become even more inclusive, connected, and empowering." |
|
