Head – International Curriculum
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This timeless proverb reflects Sai Bhavya Prabhu’s philosophy of education—empowering learners with skills, understanding, and enduring learning that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
As Head of International Curriculum at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, Bhavya champions concept-based teaching and learning, a framework that nurtures deep understanding, critical thinking, and transferable knowledge. Her leadership is defined by a belief that education must inspire agency, adaptability, and collaboration—values she sees as essential for thriving in a changing world.
Over the course of her career, Bhavya has held several key leadership roles—Accreditation Coordinator, ATL Coordinator, DP-MYP Coordinator, CAS Coordinator, Head of Sciences, and Grade Head—shaping diverse aspects of school development. She also contributes extensively to the global IB community as a team leader for IA moderation, IB examiner, consultant, and school authorisation team visitor across MYP, DP, and CP programmes. Her international engagements include serving as an IB Evaluation Team Chair, NEASC-CIE and NEASC-CIS accreditation visitor, COBIS visitor, and CIS evaluator. She continues to strengthen the IB ecosystem as a workshop leader, online facilitator, and resource developer.
MYP Coordinator
Zoha Sayed is a dedicated international educator with over a decade of experience across IB and Cambridge curricula. As MYP Coordinator at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, she provides strategic leadership in curriculum development, faculty support, and student-centred learning.
Throughout her career, Zoha has held key roles including Head of Department, Assistant MYP Coordinator, and ATL Coordinator. She focuses on fostering inquiry-based classrooms, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning academic practices with IB standards.
With a strong academic background in Chemistry and Education, Zoha has taught across IBDP, MYP, IGCSE, and A-Level programmes. She has also served as a TOK facilitator and examiner, as well as an examiner for IGCSE and International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1), reflecting her deep content expertise and understanding of global assessment frameworks.
Beyond her professional life, Zoha enjoys drawing, music, and experimenting with cuisines, bringing creativity, curiosity, and balance to her work with learners and colleagues.
IBDP Coordinator
Mr. Harish Bisht is a passionate educator and academic mentor with over 19 years of experience. An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, he holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physics, along with a Bachelor of Education in Physics and Mathematics. He has previously served as Head of Department – Physics for both CBSE and IBDP, and is also an IBDP examiner. Beyond his academic credentials, he is widely admired for his humility, dedication, and student-centric approach.
He is highly respected for his deep subject expertise, passion for teaching, and unwavering commitment to student success. Under his mentorship, students have consistently achieved outstanding academic outcomes and secured admissions to leading institutions in India and across the globe. His ability to inspire curiosity and nurture academic excellence is greatly valued within the school community.
Outside the classroom, he is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys playing badminton.
Head - Career Guidance Centre
With over twenty-six years of experience in education, Ruchika Castelino brings deep expertise and a diverse perspective to her role as Head of the Career Guidance Centre at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon. Her journey spans leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, including serving as Head of Education UK at the British Council and leading one of India’s largest study-abroad consultancies.
Guided by her enduring passion for working directly with young people, Ruchika transitioned from senior management roles to focus on counselling students and supporting them in discovering their aspirations. She has since guided learners at Pathways School, Gurgaon, and The British School, before joining Shiv Nadar School to further strengthen its vision for holistic student development.
A certified career coach, Ruchika completed the International Certified Career Coach Program through the Career Development Alliance, USA, and Mindler India. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Delhi and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi.
Parent Partnership Manager
A graduate in History from St. Stephen’s College with a degree in Education, Pallavi Mahanta brings with her a unique blend of corporate and educational experience. Before joining the world of education, she worked with leading global banking institutions including Standard Chartered Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Over two decades, she has built a reputation as a self-motivated and resilient professional who thrives on coordination, problem-solving, and meaningful engagement.
For more than a decade at Shiv Nadar School, Pallavi has contributed to the community in multiple capacities—as Homeroom In-charge, Form Coordinator, and Year Lead—taking on diverse leadership responsibilities with commitment and care. Her dual perspective as both a parent and staff member has deepened her appreciation for the school’s inclusive culture.
A lifelong learner, Pallavi earned a national rank of #9 in Early Childhood Education from CENTA and a Distinction in the Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Module 1). She exemplifies the balance of corporate discipline and educational empathy, both of which define her leadership.
Her guiding mantra is to “be true and loyal to yourself and others.” Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, reading, and spending time with her family.