Nick Kendell is the Senior Associate for Australia and New Zealand. Nick has also taken over the organization and running of the Australasian Fair in January each year and the Bangkok Fairs, with Harry Deelman in January and March. Nick started his international teaching career in 1995, and has since worked across 3 different continents. He began at the Hong Kong International School, where he held a variety of positions in the Upper and Lower Primary schools. After spending 9 1/2 years in Hong Kong, Nick moved back to Australia to take up a Deputy Principal role at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston, Tasmania. After 4 1/2 years in this role, Nick moved to Cairo in 2008 to become the Head of Primary at the New Cairo British International School. He completed his time in Cairo, and returned to Australia in July 2011.
Click here to see Nick speaking at the NCBIS celebration at the pyramids -
Nick and his wife Paula (also a teacher) run the Australasian Search office, and together they bring the experience of over 25 years in international schools.
With his very recent experience as a school administrator, Nick provides a unique perspective to the Search team, and is a valuable resource to both candidates and schools.
Contact Nick at nkendell@searchassociates.com or message him on Facebook. Click here to access a selection of resources designed to help you prepare for your international school journey.
Deidre Fischer, Executive Assistant
Deidre Fischer lives in Adelaide (South Australia) and believes that ‘the grass is greener where you water it’: that is, a leader needs to identify and nurture potential, as well as build relationships through trust while simultaneously building capacity within schools.
Deidre is an experienced international school Director having lived and worked in 7 different countries over the past 20 years and brings that range of experience to her work. Since setting up her own business in 2014, DF Education ([http://www.deidrefischer.com.au)]www.deidrefischer.com.au), she has worked in more countries (and continents). Through her company, her wide and unique range of work includes both F2F and virtual options:
- Governance for School Board members and Heads of School
- Consultancy and support for School Start-ups
- Customised School based Professional Development (F2F and also virtually)
- Leadership/Management training workshops on developing ‘future focused skills’ (21st Century) for the teacher leader, Principal and Head of School
Her breadth of experience has come from working with the Academy of International School Heads (AISH), East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), the IBO, Search Associates and schools from within Australia and beyond. In 2020 she utilized her time in Covid-19 lockdown by adding to her repertoire of skills by qualifying with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as a Level 1 accredited coach for individuals as well as for schools.
Deidre’s personal philosophy for leadership is to find ways to connect with others and help them reach their potential and this guides not only her work but her personal life.
Email: dfischer@searchassociates.com
Paula Kendell, Executive Assistant
Paula Kendell worked in Hong Kong at Hong Kong International School in a variety of teaching roles, the most recent of which was as a Physical Education Teacher for Students from Reception to Year 2.
Paula was then invited to coordinate a 4 year old program at a prestigious British Kindergarten in Repulse Bay, Hong Kong.
After having two children of her own, Paula designed and operated her own private play school in Hong Kong for children aged 18 months to 3 years.
On her return to Tasmania Paula worked as an Early Childhood teacher and music specialist for Kindergarten children in a school that utilised the Reggio Emilia approach to education.
Her most recent role in Cairo was as a PYP classroom teacher in a British International School. Paula taught Reception age children for 3 years and worked on the development of a Literacy strategy for Early Childhood Education.
Paula provides a very realistic view of life internationally and she is willing to offer advice, counsel and share her wealth of experience with candidates and schools. Her experience and expertise in many different educational settings and her love of learning, enable her to fit easily into the Search Associates team.
Together, the Kendells' commitment to personalised service and their recent experiences in schools make them an ideal couple to run the Australian and New Zealand branch of Search Associates.
Email: pkendell@searchassociates.com
Office: 613 63311692
Maree Patterson, Executive Assistant
Please contact us when your file is complete and ready to activate - when all your tabs are blue and your references have been returned.
We will then check your file thoroughly to make sure it is ready for your job search.
After reviewing your file, you will be notified as to whether or not Search Associates can accept you as a candidate, and sent a payment link. We will need to receive your registration fee prior to activating your profile.
"I just wanted to thank you, Paula and the rest of your team for all the work you do at Search Associates. We are having such a wonderful experience in Vietnam and this would not have been possible if it weren't for you, your team and the great network and service that Search Associates provides. Living and working abroad continues to open up many new opportunities and gives us such wonderful experiences that we are very grateful for." - Brandon
"This is a thank you note Search Associates and specifically, a 'you are amazing note' for Nick Kendell. I would like to say that, from the very first time I spoke to Nick which was in between flights on his way back from Cairo ( he had had not even reach Australian soil), he was gentleman of his word, he was sincere, and had great integrity and professionalism. Nick replied to my many, many, many questions both quickly and with great detail. I had already investigated time and effort into collecting information about different international school programs. Also researching how some of the contracts worked but I need to say I really had only just touched on the tip of the iceberg. Nick is a wealth of information about all those little things that add up and he fills in many of the blanks. I was concerned about being able to secure a position because this was my first time in the "circuit", but Nick kept reassuring me that everything would be fine and that the "right" position would come along. His was very helpful with continuous positive and informative feedback on the choices that I was making. While in Sydney to attend the Search information session and have my interview, Nick was informative, friendly, down to earth and made me feel comfortable. The informational session was very explanatory and it was a nice way to meet other teachers that are also looking at international positions. Nick also made the interview process unintimidating and an affirming experience. It is hard to express how grateful for all of Nick's efforts and I believe he truly gives a service that is above and beyond the call of the role. If I was to apply for another position again my first choice would be Search Associates, so thanks to the Nick for making my first international school position a smooth and pleasant one, I am now looking forward to my new job in Shanghai in January." - May
"You may be asking yourself the question, why use Search Associates and how can Nick Kendall help? Our answer would be, why wouldn't you? Nick has been such a friendly and amazing associate to work with over the past few months. He has been a positive force behind us securing amazing positions in a fabulous international school. From the first moment of meeting Nick, we were confident that he knew what he was doing. He has the experience and knows the international school scene very well. What has impressed us the most is his regular and open communication where he is always ready to answer questions, support and be optimistic. We would definitely love to work with Nick again and we wouldn't hesitate in recommending him!"
"Nick Kendell is a high-quality Search Associate. His incredibly professional work ethic ensures he responds quickly to emails, phone calls and at the Sydney Fair, he worked overtime to listen to and advise candidates. He paid close attention to my individual needs and offered objective and honest feedback. Since the Fair, he has maintained regular contact with me and been available to give advice at the drop of a hat. My wife and I are very appreciative of Nick and have highly recommended Search Associates to colleagues wishing to teach internationally." - Derek
"Thank you so much for your great advice and tips. I will definitely take them on board as I know I will be embracing change and challenging myself to the fullest. I want to say a huge thank you to you personally and to Search Associates for the personal touch that you have shown me .Thanks for going the extra mile. Your support has been fantastic no matter how trivial my questions have been. I have appreciated it! I will always recommend Search Associates highly to anyone interested in teaching overseas." - Joanne
"The whole experience of registering with Search Associates has been very professional and rewarding. Once 'Active', a world of possibilities opened up and I was able to find a position that matched my interests and experience. The web site was easy to use - but demanded a thorough presentation of my credentials. As a platform for finding positions in the international arena - it was excellent" - Bill
