Meet the master: Simon Burbury takes the helm at Marlborough College Malaysia

How will your extensive background in music play into your new role as Master of Marlborough College Malaysia?

Music has always been a part of my life and will continue to be so at Marlborough College Malaysia. Interestingly, my first visit to Malaysia as a teenager was to play Sergei Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur Symphony Orchestra. Music has shaped who I am today and my style of leadership.

Conducting an orchestra is about getting the best out of your team of musicians, giving people a chance to shine when appropriate, with others in a supporting role, but, all the while, ensuring that everyone is working together to achieve the best possible performance. Leading an organisation like Marlborough College Malaysia is no different. I am a big believer that music and the arts, more generally, can nurture creativity, confidence, a strong work ethic, discipline, emotional intelligence, a positive mindset and, of course, a sense of joy.

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Why Marlborough College? What draws you towards this institution?

Quintessentially British, Marlborough College Malaysia is the only overseas branch of a school with an illustrious 175-year history. Marlborough College in the UK and Malaysia are inextricably linked by more than just a name and set of values. The two schools enjoy academic, creative and philanthropic collaborations, exchanges, joint international trips and healthy competition, all to benefit pupils on both sides of the world. The Marlborough spirit runs deep across both campuses. The authenticity of this relationship is unique.

And what is your vision for this institution?

We have a world-class team of educators (called Beaks, as per the old British boarding school tradition), and that part of my job is to give them everything they need to do their job to the best of their ability. They are the engine, and it is an important part of my job to make sure they are always firing on all cylinders. Part of my vision is to develop a world-class Professional Learning Centre here so that Marlborough Beaks can access the latest research and pedagogy and continue to inspire the next generation. I want students here to be taught by educators at the very top of their game. I want my team to work hard and reap the rewards of that commitment. Working at Marlborough College Malaysia should be as much a lifestyle choice as a job.

What are your thoughts on the holistic development of students? How can we better incorporate academics, extracurricular activities, and personal growth in their schooling?

Having been a concert pianist, professional scuba diver, ultra-marathon runner, naval officer and sailing instructor at different times alongside my career in education, I can speak quite authoritatively about the positive benefits that opportunities beyond the classroom can afford. Whilst academic rigour forms the bedrock of everything we do here, education is not just about achieving excellent academic results. It’s about creating extraordinary experiences. An ambitious co-curricular programme involving sports and the arts, other academic and non-academic pursuits, inspirational, educational visits, outreach and service is the key to ensuring this.

Few schools anywhere in the world can boast a beautiful 90 acre campus that supports every conceivable sports resource, a climbing wall, a 50 metre pool and beginner pool, a state-of-the-art gym, a golf driving range, a farm and, believe it or not, even a boating and fishing lake! Off-site, pupils can enjoy activities from scuba-diving to horse riding.

Read also: Why Marlborough College Malaysia is One of the Best in Education

The past few years have been a wake-up call for many educational institutions. What are your thoughts on the role technology plays in schooling?

Indeed, Artificial Intelligence is the future. AI, I have no doubt, will play a part in every profession or career for the next generation. Schools can not ignore this, and we have to embrace AI—and, indeed, so we should. Every teacher could have a virtual classroom assistant that helps individualise homework, assessments and feedback and takes care of a lot of administration.

From a teacher’s point of view, this might mean that they can spend more time with pupils, having conversations, providing extraordinary ‘human’ experiences, and being that inspiration that AI cannot ‘yet’ provide. For pupils, AI has the potential to provide a personal tutor for every child. Yes, there are issues around integrity, plagiarism and using AI to shortcut one’s learning, but we can’t be afraid of AI—it is here to stay, so let’s embrace it and use it to our advantage.

Creativity is the single most important thing that young people need to develop. They already know how to think differently, question perceived wisdom and push the boundaries, but we must nurture this. We must teach young people to take information in and do something interesting. The real world is about collaboration. It is about knowing how you can contribute and how to work well with other people. This is how we will fix the world’s problems. Winning together and losing together, that is what young people need to experience. AI can’t help with this yet.

Finally, what advice would you give to the students of Marlborough College to excel academically, develop as individuals, and prepare for their future?

Be kind, work hard, get involved, and embrace the challenge of operating outside your comfort zone.

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