NIST Leadership Team (NLT)
The NIST Leadership Team includes the senior administrators: Head of School, School Director, Secondary Principal and Elementary Principal. Together they oversee the daily operations of the school and help guide our community as we pursue our vision and mission. All of the current members of the leadership team are also parents of NIST students.
Mr. James Dalziel
Head of School
An accomplished educator and leader, Dr. James Dalziel joined NIST in 2020 after having served as Executive Director of Education, Continental Europe for GEMS World Academy, as well as Head of School at their Switzerland campus. Prior to his tenure with GEMS, he held multiple leadership roles, including founding Head of School at United World Colleges Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) – East Campus, Middle School Principal at UWCSEA – Dover Campus, and Middle School Principal at Canadian International School Singapore. James earned two bachelor degrees: one from York University in history/philosophy and kinesiology, and one from University of Toronto in education. He has a master’s degree in educational management and a doctorate in education, both from the University of Western Australia. James also earned a Master of Business Administration with emphasis on innovation, accounting and managerial finance from the Helsinki School of Economics at Aalto University.
He is joined in Bangkok by his wife Nancy, who holds the role of Director of Teaching & Learning, and their two children, Claire and William.
Mr. James Dalziel
Head of School
An accomplished educator and leader, Dr. James Dalziel joined NIST in 2020 after having served as Executive Director of Education, Continental Europe for GEMS World Academy, as well as Head of School at their Switzerland campus. Prior to his tenure with GEMS, he held multiple leadership roles, including founding Head of School at United World Colleges Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) – East Campus, Middle School Principal at UWCSEA – Dover Campus, and Middle School Principal at Canadian International School Singapore. James earned two bachelor degrees: one from York University in history/philosophy and kinesiology, and one from University of Toronto in education. He has a master’s degree in educational management and a doctorate in education, both from the University of Western Australia. James also earned a Master of Business Administration with emphasis on innovation, accounting and managerial finance from the Helsinki School of Economics at Aalto University.
He is joined in Bangkok by his wife Nancy, who holds the role of Director of Teaching & Learning, and their two children, Claire and William.
Mr. Angelo Coskinas
Secondary Principal
Originally from Australia, Secondary Principal Angelo Coskinas began his career as an English and history teacher at school in New South Wales before transitioning overseas. He took on several leadership roles in Singapore, including department head at Springfield Secondary School and Upper School Vice Principal United World College of Southeast Asia, one of the most well-known schools in Asia. Before joining NIST in 2019, his most recent position was Upper School Principal at the International School of Belgrade in Serbia.
Angelo earned a bachelor of arts and diploma of education from the University of New South Wales, followed by a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Walden University in the United States, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Learning from Aspen University in the United States. He and his wife Megan have two adult children who graduated from international schools.
Mr. Angelo Coskinas
Secondary Principal
Originally from Australia, Secondary Principal Angelo Coskinas began his career as an English and history teacher at school in New South Wales before transitioning overseas. He took on several leadership roles in Singapore, including department head at Springfield Secondary School and Upper School Vice Principal United World College of Southeast Asia, one of the most well-known schools in Asia. Before joining NIST in 2019, his most recent position was Upper School Principal at the International School of Belgrade in Serbia.
Angelo earned a bachelor of arts and diploma of education from the University of New South Wales, followed by a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Walden University in the United States, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Learning from Aspen University in the United States. He and his wife Megan have two adult children who graduated from international schools.
Mr. Iain Macfarlane
Elementary Principal
With a varied career that spans finance, technology and education, Elementary Principal Iain Macfarlane, a Canadian national, draws upon a wide range of skills in leading the elementary school. Upon earning his teaching qualifications, he first taught in Australia and South Korea before taking on the role of Elementary Principal at the American School of Kuwait. He then returned to South Korea, where he served as Principal at Busan Foreign School for five years before joining NIST as Elementary Principal in 2021.
Iain holds a BA (Honors) in English & Humanities from York University in Canada, a Master of Teaching from Griffith University in Australia and a Master of Science in International School Leadership from Wilkes University in the United States. He is joined in Bangkok by his wife, Angela, and their son, Jameson.
Mr. Iain Macfarlane
Elementary Principal
With a varied career that spans finance, technology and education, Elementary Principal Iain Macfarlane, a Canadian national, draws upon a wide range of skills in leading the elementary school. Upon earning his teaching qualifications, he first taught in Australia and South Korea before taking on the role of Elementary Principal at the American School of Kuwait. He then returned to South Korea, where he served as Principal at Busan Foreign School for five years before joining NIST as Elementary Principal in 2021.
Iain holds a BA (Honors) in English & Humanities from York University in Canada, a Master of Teaching from Griffith University in Australia and a Master of Science in International School Leadership from Wilkes University in the United States. He is joined in Bangkok by his wife, Angela, and their son, Jameson.
Ms. Poonam Sachdev
School Director
Ms. Poonam Sachdev is the Thai School Director, though she has worked in several roles in the administration since joining NIST in September 1995. Her key responsibilities include dealing with Thai government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Immigration Office and the Labour Department to ensure that the school is in compliance with Thai laws. Khun Poonam earned her bachelor’s degree in commerce from Punjab University in India, a Diploma in Teaching from Suan Sunandha College in Bangkok and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Assumption University, also in Bangkok. Both of her children attended and graduated from NIST.
Ms. Poonam Sachdev
School Director
Ms. Poonam Sachdev is the Thai School Director, though she has worked in several roles in the administration since joining NIST in September 1995. Her key responsibilities include dealing with Thai government agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Immigration Office and the Labour Department to ensure that the school is in compliance with Thai laws. Khun Poonam earned her bachelor’s degree in commerce from Punjab University in India, a Diploma in Teaching from Suan Sunandha College in Bangkok and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Assumption University, also in Bangkok. Both of her children attended and graduated from NIST.
Our Guiding Principles
We firmly believe that leadership is shared, and that with a common understanding of our roles, we can achieve our shared goals as a community. These guiding principles shape our approach not only as leaders, but also as learners.
- We will start with the belief that people are intelligent, capable, working hard and acting in good faith.
- We will seek to be solution-oriented, and use the school mission and a focus upon student achievement to guide discussions.
- We will advocate and support each other, and work as a team.
- We will value open discussion, aim for consensus in decisions, and constantly strive to follow up decisions and communicate effectively.
- We will strive to be transparent, make moral decisions and be fair in our dealings.
- We will create an environment based on trust and respect, which will enable our colleagues to function at their highest point of contribution.
Welcome from the Head of School
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you and your family to NIST International School. NIST is unique in Thailand, being the first full International Baccalaureate World School to offer the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes. Initially established through efforts of a few United Nations families, NIST remains one of the few not-for-profit international schools in the country with strong ties to the diplomatic community.
Although our rigorous academic standards and performance often receive the most attention, we feel that the NIST programme provides a comprehensive and globally focused education for all of our students. Our school is a celebration of diversity, innovation and continuous growth. Our heritage is one of a multicultural, multinational and multilingual community. We have continued to develop our facilities to support new thinking, especially in the areas of science, technology, and social entrepreneurship. We are primarily a community of learners who support the pursuit of individual excellence while also exploring ways that we might enrich the lives and experiences of others.
We encourage you to browse our website and speak to our admissions team, who can answer any questions you may have about our community. Every school bases its success on the collaborative efforts of teachers and parents, and we are fortunate to have a community of caring parents to help support us as we aim to provide the best possible education to every student in our care. I hope that you and your family will consider joining that community.
James Dalziel
Head of School
