Shekou International School Announces New
Head of School Beginning in August 2022

PRINCETON NJ, USA (September 29, 2021) – The Shekou International School (SIS) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Harish Kanabar, SIS’s Primary Principal, has accepted the Board’s offer to become the next Head of School, starting in the 2022-2023 school year. Mr. Kanabar has been at SIS in his current capacity since 2017. He will succeed Mr. Greg Smith, who will remain Vice President of International Schools Services’ (ISS) Asia Pacific Office.

“Harish is a gifted educator and school leader, who has enormous support among the SIS community. The community values his strong organizational skills, his deep intelligence, and his thoughtful kindness. In just over 4 years, Harish has led the primary school’s transition to the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and helped the school navigate the many disruptions caused by the pandemic,” said ISS President and Chair of the SIS Board Liz Duffy. “Harish has worked at international schools in four countries, so he appreciates the value of a global education, rooted in a deep respect for the local community and for the many nationalities present in international school communities,“ Ms. Duffy added.

Mr. Kanabar is excited to lead the school to the next level. He commented, “This is my fifth year at SIS and I am extremely proud of our students and community. The experience I have gained and the understanding I have developed about SIS will provide continued stability and additional opportunities for growth as I move into a more influential role as the incoming Head of School. Both SIS and ISS are founded on community, and I’m excited to remain part of such vibrant, innovative and caring communities.”

Mr. Smith concurred, “I am very pleased that this decision provides continuity for our school and community. The strong and close working relationship I have with Harish has allowed me to see his capabilities and commitment to students over the years and I am very confident in the future of SIS. I look forward to a smooth transition and an exciting new phase for Shenzhen’s longest established international school.”

About International Schools Services (ISS)

As a nonprofit organization, International Schools Services (ISS) works with more than 800 international schools and tens of thousands of educators each year across its suite of services, creating the largest global footprint in international education support. Since its inception in 1955, ISS has promoted innovative best practices for global education. Core services include starting and operating student-centered, future-oriented schools; recruiting world-class educators and leaders; providing cutting-edge professional learning opportunities; sourcing essential school supplies; administering school foundations; and encouraging more diverse leadership in international schools. With offices in Princeton, NJ USA and Shenzhen, China and staff located across the globe, ISS invites all to join in making a world of difference. For more information, see iss.edu.

About Shekou International School

Founded in 1988, Shekou International School (SIS) is the oldest international school in Shenzhen, China. Today, the school serves 1011 students in grades pre-K through 12th grade. The mission of SIS is to provide a rigorous education in a caring community and inspire students to become principled, innovative contributors in a transforming world. SIS is one of the flagship schools in ISS’s global network of international schools.