British Columbia Offshore School Principal

Context

Hayat Universal School (HUBS) Qatar is a PreK – 12 British Columbia Certified Offshore School operating in Doha, Qatar, since 2009/2010 and has been CIS-accredited since January 2019. The school’s mission is to “develop competent and ethical Muslim Global Citizens through high-quality, bilingual, Canadian education”. HUBS Qatar offers the BC Program and the Qatar National Curriculum for Arabic Language, Islamic Education, and Qatar History. The school bilingual programs attract Qatari families and the vast majority of students are English Language Learners (ELL). Almost all students join the school at the preschool program and K level.

Key Performance Areas:

• Cultivating a school culture of academic rigor, character development, engagement, accountability towards student achievement and well-being, professionalism, trust and safety for all constituent groups;
• The implementation of the school definition of High-Quality Learning and Teaching where learning is for all students, is curriculum-based, is meaningful, is supported through assessment, is technology-empowered, is the product of professional learning communities, engages parents and develops Muslim Global Citizens;
• Creating a school climate that supports the development of Muslim Global Citizens through balancing cultural identity and openness, referencing the school policy for cultural sensitivity;
• The use of data as a driver for academic and operational planning and decision-making;
• Parents’ engagement with the school and their satisfaction with the objectives and overall orientation of school programs;
• Meeting the requirements of the BC Ministry of Education Certification;
• Meeting the requirements of CIS accreditation through engaging in the process of continuous improvement in alignment with the CIS School Evaluation Framework;
• Integration of learning that takes place in the Early Years, BC, and Qatar National Curriculum Programs;
• Talent and Leadership development through the creation of opportunities for dialogue, shared leadership and professional development; and
• Working collaboratively with the school Head Office Executives to keep the school on track for steady growth as a sound academic institution

Main Duties:

Educational Leadership:

• The development and implementation of educational programs in a manner that maximizes student learning, ensure their well-being, and supports them to meet the British Columbia and Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education curricular standards, ultimately achieving the BC Ministry of Education Graduation Program Certificate (the Dogwood Diploma);
• Supervision of the planning and delivery of instruction consistent with the school definition of High-Quality Learning and Teaching, ensuring hands-on, inquiry-based and differentiated instruction is provided, integrating technology to maximize student learning at 1st tier instruction;
• Overseeing the implementation of the Muslim Global Citizenship Passport Program and the integration of the Digital Citizenship learning goals in relevant subjects;
• Supervision of the development and implementation of cogent assessment that balances formative and summative, standardized and school-developed tools, and incorporates student self-reflection and assessment;
• The development and implementation of a system of student progress reporting that meaningfully informs parents, students, teachers and school leadership;
• Oversight and review of entry assessment used during the admission process and making the final decisions regarding admission to the school;
• Led adjudication meetings and making final decisions regarding student promotion/placement and retention as per the school promotion/retention policy;
• Planning and overseeing the effectiveness of student academic support programs including in-class, out-of-class, and after-school support and ensuring the implementation of the process for “Identifying and Supporting Students at Academic Risk”;
• Implementing and/or overseeing the implementation of academic policies such as exam re-sits, extra credit, grading policy, and exam invigilation;
• Development and/or oversight of the development of the school master calendar, standard timetable (observing instructional time required for BC Certification), class timetables and plan for room allocation;
• Development and oversight of the school's co-curricular and extra-curricular learning activities that expand learning opportunities for students, engaging members of the community in planning and delivering such activities;
• Oversight and support of the implementation of the school Positive Behavior Management Program “We Are HUBS” and the teaching of BC Core Competencies through school-selected programs; overseeing the implementation of the Hayat High Five values and Stop and Think; planning and implementing student recognition policies and monthly theme assemblies;
• Implementation of the school behavior modification process in collaboration with the school counselors and Vice Principal, ensuring the process is integral to the “We Are HUBS” program; identifying behavior at-risk students; making discipline decisions, with the view that discipline is for learning, and ensuring student safety and well-being during the process;
• Implementation of the school attendance policy, monitoring and addressing chronic tardy and absences;
• Working with the BC Program Heads and Early Years Team Leader to support, mentor and supervise teachers to help them succeed in their roles by ensuring they are working to achieve the British Columbia Curriculum Learning Standards, in the manner planned for Hayat Universal School (HUBS) Qatar, ensuring teachers use the instructional and assessment strategies that are consistent with the school definition of High-Quality Learning and Teaching and that they implement student discipline and safety policies;
• Leading the development of professional development in support of the implementation of the school definition of High-Quality Learning and Teaching;
• Overseeing the implementation of yearly cycles for instructional planning, assessment, and data collection and analysis to ensure the systematic implementation of these processes;
• Performing teaching duties as required (e.g., modeling for teachers, leading a guided reading group, conducting read-aloud activities)

Operations Management:

• Ensuring student safety and well-being through the implementation of related policies and procedures such as, but not limited to, child safeguarding, evacuation, lockdown, drop-off and pick-up, and fieldtrip risk assessment; and ensuring facilities are well maintained, cleaned, and secure;
• Creating a work environment of professionalism, trust and collegiality through developing an understanding of the school vision, mission, beliefs, values, and school-wide goals (graduate profile); proactively setting clear expectations; consistent policy and practice implementation; creating opportunities for staff engagement through committee work, staff/student voice boxes, and shared leadership; and creating channels for sharing confidential feedback;
• Ensuring staff feel welcomed and cared for by working with the Social Committee on social events and acts of kindness and overseeing the process of new staff welcome;
• Conducting formal evaluations of BC teachers and administrators in accordance with the school performance evaluation policy, process, and frameworks;
• Ensuring the general conduct of staff shall be by their responsibilities as educators and the school policies and procedures such as student supervision, field trip, evacuation, staff attendance, dress code, cultural sensitivity, and other policies published in the HUBS Qatar Operations Manual;
• Holding teachers accountable and, in case of need, implementing the school procedure for “Supervision of Instruction & the Appropriate Application of Progressive Discipline”; this should be in compliance with the BC Ministry of Education standards and requirements and the Qatar Labor Law; and in a manner that will guide decisions regarding contract renewal, dismissal, annual salary increases and assignment of positions and promotions; assist in the same process as it pertains to non-teaching staff;
• Ensuring student and staff records are kept in compliance with the BC Ministry of Education Certification Agreement and the Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s requirements;
• Reviewing and approving the annual plan for resources; the school Resources Coordinator develops the plan working with members of the school leadership team, who take feedback from staff, IT staff, and the school Head Office;
• Participating in the annual staffing process by planning assignments; discussing staff assignment requests, if any; and participating in the selection process;
• Engaging parents through open dialogue; receptiveness to feedback; processes for keeping them informed and educated about the school mission, programs and policies; and timely reporting on their children’s progress; building on parent relationships to further establish community partnerships;
• Engaging the school staff and administration team to establish community partnerships with other local and international schools, government and private organizations, to enrich the learning opportunities available for students, especially in the areas of service, environmental stewardship and leadership;
• Leading staff and admin meetings; ensuring minutes are taken with clear, actionable items that are followed up consistently; overseeing the work of staff committees; and making morning announcements;
• Engaging in annual policy and procedure review; discussing policy change requests, if any; ensuring proper approval is obtained for any changes in policies, procedures, and forms;

BC and Qatar Ministry of Education Compliance; CIS Accreditation:

• Ensuring standards and requirements of the British Columbia Ministry of Education Offshore School Contract are met and regularly monitored to maintain BC Certification; completing annual reporting to the BC Ministry of Education to meet school BC Certification compliance requirements in a timely manner; and preparing for annual inspections;
• Working with the Vice Principal to ensure compliance with the Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education requirements, and to prepare for Ministry’s annual inspection;
• (note: the school Head Office provides significant support in reporting to the Ministries and preparing for inspections.)
• Fully engaging in the continuous improvement process that the CIS School Evaluation Framework offers to maintain the school accreditation;

School Administration Support Available for the Principal:

• Full-time Vice Principal who supports the Principal in managing several school operational aspects, onsite HR management, facilities management, government relations, and parent relations, and is the Head of Qatar National Curriculum Program;
• Three full-time British Columbia Program Heads (Academic Vice Principal level role);
• Part-time Early Years Team Leader (the program comprises two grades: PreKG and KG1);
• Head of Math Department with part-time teaching assignment;
• Head of Career Education and Career Counseling with part-time teaching assignment;
• Two part-time Elementary English Support Coordinators for G1-G3 and G4-G7;
• Stipend-based Math Coordinator for G7-G9;
• Stipend-based Education Technology Coordinator and Chair of the Digital Citizenship Committee;
• Stipend-based Inquiry-Based Learning Coordinator for G8-G12;
• Supervisor for Registration and Public Relations who is in charge of student records and school reception;
• Resources Coordinator

Support Available for the Principal from the School Head Office:

British Columbia Offshore School Representative: This role brings seasoned experience in British Columbia education to guide HUBS Qatar in its implementation of the BC Program through professional development, school planning, and accreditation work

The Chief Executive Officer of EduGlobe, the school Head Office: The CEO who assumes the role of Superintendent of HUBS Qatar, works closely with the Principal and school leadership team to support all aspects of the school operations

HR & Operations Management team of EduGlobe: This team is responsible for all aspects of the HR management of the school, in coordination with the Principal and Vice Principal, to ensure decision-making remains with the school leadership.