Leadership
Dr. Alexandar Pethan
Superintendent
Dr. Pethan’s 25-year educational journey began when he volunteered to teach elementary students to read, sparking his passion for teaching.
Dr. Alexandar Pethan
Dr. Pethan’s 25-year educational journey began when he volunteered to teach elementary students to read, sparking his passion for teaching. He later taught Spanish and coached sports in the U.S. before moving to the Philippines, where mentorship and leadership opportunities shaped his path. Dr. Pethan has since led dynamic school communities in Saudi Arabia, Beijing, and Kuwait. Now serving as Superintendent at Raffles American School, he aims to build on its strong foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and Spanish, a master’s in educational leadership, and a doctoral degree in leadership from Vanderbilt University.
James Elliott
Elementary School Principal
Mr. James Elliott is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and he joined RAS in 2020 as a teacher and admissions representative. Mr. Elliott holds a BA in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
James Elliott
Mr. James Elliott, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joined Raffles American School in 2020 as a teacher and admissions representative and has since been our Elementary Principal. He holds a BA in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is licensed in Elementary Education and ESOL. Starting his career in 2014 as a Pre-K teacher, Mr. Elliott has taught students from early childhood to university. At RAS, he has taught ELL, 4th and 5th grades, and led various CCAs while helping enroll hundreds of new students. He believes authenticity is key to matching families with the right school and uses his teaching experience to guide prospective families at RAS.
Darla Her
Elementary School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Darla Her, from Missouri, USA, joined Raffles American School in 2022 as the Elementary ELL teacher and Learning Support Specialist before becoming Assistant Principal.
Darla Her
Mrs. Darla Her, from Missouri, USA, joined Raffles American School in 2022 as the Elementary ELL teacher and Learning Support Specialist before becoming Assistant Principal. She holds a Bachelor’s in Childhood Education, a Master’s in Special Education from Nyack College, and an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership. Starting her career in 2016 in New York City, she worked closely with parents, teachers, and students to ensure quality education for all. At RAS, Darla has led various projects, including the yearbook, sewing club, and standardized testing. She is a passionate advocate for helping all students reach their potential and become lifelong learners.
David Hornby
Middle School Principal
Mr. David Hornby began his teaching career in Vancouver, Canada, as a Social Studies and PE teacher. A planned 2-year stint in Japan turned into 26 years of teaching and leading international schools across Japan, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
David Hornby
Mr. David Hornby began his teaching career in Vancouver, Canada, as a Social Studies and PE teacher. A planned 2-year stint in Japan turned into 26 years of teaching and leading international schools across Japan, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. David holds a master’s degree in educational management and has served as Pastoral Coordinator, Vice-Principal, Secondary Principal, and Head of School. He is committed to helping RAS students and families achieve their goals and enhancing RAS’s academic and extracurricular programs. David met his South Korean wife in Japan, and their two sons are IB diploma graduates studying at the University of Toronto.
Sok Wee Kho
High School Principal
Mr. Sok Wee Kho, a native Singaporean, holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. As our secondary high school principal with teaching expertise in Cambridge, IB, and AP curricula.
Sok Wee Kho
Sok Wee Kho, a Singaporean native and National University of Singapore alumnus, brings extensive experience as our Secondary High School Principal. Proficient in Cambridge, IB, and AP curricula, Mr. Kho ensures that our school meets high educational standards with research-based approaches. He holds a Master’s in Education, specializing in Teaching Multilingual Learners, making him well-suited to support our diverse student body. Passionate about 21st-century education, Mr. Kho fosters an environment where students feel confident, supported, and prepared to embrace challenges, make informed decisions, and grow as lifelong learners.
Herman Kruger
Boarding Director
Mr. Herman Kruger joined Raffles American School in 2024 as the Boarding Director, overseeing daily operations to ensure a safe and enriching environment for boarding students.
Herman Kruger
Mr. Herman Kruger joined Raffles American School in 2024 as the Boarding Director, overseeing daily operations to ensure a safe and enriching environment for boarding students. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from Northwest University, South Africa, and a PGDE, with specialized training in adolescent development and residential life management. Before RAS, Herman served as Director of Boarding at international schools in Africa and Asia, enhancing student wellness programs and facilities. At RAS, he has introduced weekend enrichment activities and global awareness programs, creating a home-away-from-home environment focused on respect, personal growth, and open communication. Outside work, Herman enjoys rugby, the outdoors, and cooking.
Andy Manion
Athletic Director
Mr. Andy Manion, an Australian educator with over 38 years of experience in Physical Education, joined Raffles American School after teaching at the Australian International School in Vietnam.
Andy Manion
Mr. Andy Manion, an Australian educator with over 38 years of experience in Physical Education, joined Raffles American School after teaching at the Australian International School in Vietnam. He holds a Bachelor of Education and has served as Head of PE Departments in Tasmania and Queensland, as well as Director of Sport at a P-12 school on the Gold Coast. Andy was honored with the Australian ‘National Excellence in Teaching Award’ in 1997 and Life Membership of ‘School Sport South Coast’ in 2015. His passions include cricket, golf, SCUBA diving, and more. Andy believes enjoyable, active participation is essential for personal and physical development.
J. Casey Hammond
College Counselor
Mr. J. Casey Hammond joined Raffles American School in August 2022 as College Counselor.
J. Casey Hammond
Mr. J. Casey Hammond joined Raffles American School in August 2022 as College Counselor. He brings a wealth of experience to this position. He previously worked at the university level in the United States and Singapore, where he developed and taught undergraduate courses for first-year students and helped them transition into tertiary education. A speaker of Mandarin Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia, he is a longtime resident of this region. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, a master’s degree from MIT, and a Ph.D. from Penn.
Ian Nenke
Business Development Director
Mr. Ian Nenke, from Perth, Western Australia, joined Raffles American School in 2018, actively contributing to Admissions, Communications, and the International Camps program.
Ian Nenke
Mr. Ian Nenke, from Perth, Western Australia, joined Raffles American School in 2018, actively contributing to Admissions, Communications, and the International Camps program. He holds a Master of Business Administration (Digital) from Monash University and brings over 20 years of experience in management, communications, and business development across education, tourism, and agri-business sectors. Ian also collaborates with Raffles Parents for Education (RPFE) to organize events like International Day and Beach Clean-ups. On weekends, he enriches Boarding students’ experiences with activities like rock climbing. As a father of four sons, Ian believes in inquiry-based learning and emphasizes clear communication, compassion, honesty, and integrity in education.
