Coffee Morning with Incoming Head of School Dr Elizabeth Gale
Coffee Morning with Incoming Head of School Dr Elizabeth Gale
On Thursday 17 April, parents at UNIS Hanoi had the opportunity to meet Dr Elizabeth Gale, the incoming Head of School, during a special community coffee morning. The session served as an introduction to Dr Gale, as well as a platform to share insights into her leadership values, aspirations, and vision for UNIS Hanoi’s next chapter.
| A WARM INTRODUCTION TO THE GALE FAMILY |
Dr Gale began by expressing her gratitude for the strong turnout and the opportunity to introduce herself not only as a school leader but also as a fellow parent.
“This moment obviously gives me a chance to introduce myself, not only as the incoming head of school, but also as a fellow parent and a traveler in this educational journey.”
She shared personal stories about her husband Carl and their two children—Anna, who will join Grade 3 at UNIS next year, and Alexander, who is currently two years old. Reflecting on a visit to UNIS Hanoi in February during Spring Fair, she recounted her daughter’s spontaneous connection to the school:
“She came over to me and she whispered in my ear and she said, ‘Mom, can I stay for the rest of the day?’ … She said, ‘You know, Mom, the kids are so nice here.’ As a mother, that was all I needed to hear.”
| HONOURING THE PAST, EMBRACING THE FUTURE |
Dr Gale highlighted the school’s rich 37-year legacy and recognised the impactful leadership of outgoing Head of School, Jane McGee.
“Jane’s leadership has been instrumental in creating the strength and the spirit that defines this school… I’m just so grateful for her partnership in this transition.”
At the same time, she emphasised the importance of evolving with the times:
“School should be different from the school that we experienced. It has to be because our kids are growing up in a very different world.”
| PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A CHANGING WORLD |
Drawing on insights from global education experts, Dr Gale emphasised the need to prepare students for the world they are already navigating—one filled with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA):
“Our children are not passive observers. We want them to be positioned to really shape the world they’re stepping into with purpose, with care and with courage.”
She underscored that this preparation goes beyond academics:
“They need empathy. They need resilience. They need courage. They need intercultural competence. And they need these skills today.”
| THE ROLE OF TRUST AND COMMUNITY |
Using Patrick Lencioni’s leadership model as a framework, Dr Gale spoke about the importance of trust in building strong school communities:
“Trust is built through relationships, not the roles that you have… It grows when people show up consistently, communicate transparently, and treat one another with care and respect.”
This trust, she added, creates a foundation for healthy conflict, meaningful commitment, and ultimately, strong results.
| STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT |
Dr Gale introduced four draft strategic directions derived from the school’s reaccreditation process and community input:
- Cultivating pathways to student success
- Driving innovation and adaptability
- Building bridges for collective impact
- Attracting and developing global talent
These directions are meant to ensure every child is seen, challenged, and supported, while also future-proofing the school’s learning environment and fostering stronger connections both within and beyond the school community.
Parents were invited to provide feedback through group discussions and a “chalk talk” activity:
“These aren’t abstract aspirations… They are grounded in evidence and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for students.”
| LOOKING AHEAD: LEADERSHIP WITH CLARITY AND COMPASSION |
As she prepares to officially begin her tenure in August, Dr Gale shared her thoughtful transition plan, built around listening, learning, and connecting:
“Leadership starts with listening… I will celebrate what’s working, and I’m always going to be asking some of those hard questions because I think that our children today deserve nothing less than the very best thinking and our collective action around that.”
She concluded with a heartfelt promise:
“I will lead very much with integrity, with clarity, and with a very close partnership with all of you.”
Parents left the session with a sense of inspiration and optimism, excited to welcome Dr Gale and to collaboratively shape the next chapter of UNIS Hanoi’s future.