Who We Are

Simone Courso

Simone Courso is the counselor in charge of students in Grade 7 & 8. She has been in this position at CDNIS for four years. Prior to this Simone worked in one of the leading international schools in Bangkok as a middle school and high school counselor. Simone has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and is certified with the National Board of Certified Counselors (in the US). She brings with her a broad understanding of what it means to raise third-culture children in an international setting and is the parent of three children.

Bob Bate

Bob has worked at CDNIS since 2008 and is responsible for all students in grade 9-12 with the last name starting with the letter M-Z. Prior to that, he was a coordinator for career programs at Qualicum School District on Vancouver Island, where he began his teaching career in 1988. Bob completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria and his Masters Degree in Leadership and Administration at Gonzaga University in 2008. CDNIS is a family affair for the Bate’s- Bob’s wife Jennifer is the Manager of the Leo Lee Arts Center and his 2 daughters, Sarah and Meaghan, will both graduate from CDNIS (2010 and 2012 respectively).

Rob Herald

A native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania Rob came to CDNIS after stops at international schools in Cairo, Egypt and Bangkok, Thailand. Rob has considerable experience in the field of college admissions having worked at three American universities and as the Director of College Placement for a Jesuit high school in Kansas City. Golf, traveling and time with family and friends helps Rob recharge himself and he is very happy to have this opportunity to experience Hong Kong and CDNIS.

Elsa Fung

Elsa has been working as a guidance secretary at CDNIS since 2000 when there was only one full time counselor and 25 graduates in the school. A Hong Kong native, Elsa pursued her study in Canada after her secondary education. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. Elsa has 2 children studying in CDNIS.