Head of Pastoral Care
Hayat Universal School (HUBS), Qatar
Job Description
Context
Hayat Universal School (HUBS) Qatar is a PreK 12 British Columbia Certified Offshore School operating in Doha, Qatar. HUBS Qatar offers the BC Program along with a national program of Arabic Language, Islamic Education and Qatar History. Through these programs the school aims to graduate:
Effective Communicators,
Reflective Thinkers,
Responsible Individuals, and
Global Muslims
The school mission is especially appealing for Qatari families who are keen to provide their children with international education while nurturing their cultural identity. The vast majority of HUBS students are Qataris and English Language Learners (ELL).
In addition to its certification from the BC Ministry of Education, HUBS Qatar is accredited by the Council of International Schools. Student safety and well-being is one of the cornerstones of the CIS accreditation framework. Hence, the school is aligned with the high standards set by CIS in these areas.
Purpose
The Head of Pastoral Care is a senior member of the HUBS Qatar Leadership Team. The HPC supports the school Principal through creating and implementing policies, procedures and systems to provide quality pastoral care to students, ensuring their safety and well-being and creating a positive and nurturing school climate, where students can learn and thrive to meet the four school learning goals listed above.
The students’ culture and belief system can positively impact their behavior and needs to be utilized for their development as responsible global citizens. Deliberate planning is needed to achieve this objective. For this purpose, the HPC will need to work with the Head of the national program (currently the VP) and BC Program administrators and staff of the Muslim faith.
The Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education closely monitors several of the areas the Head Pastoral Care is in charge of. The HPC needs to work closely with the Principal and Vice-Principal who liaise with the Qatar Ministry of Education to understand the Ministry’s requirements and to amicably resolve any conflict that may arise and result in the Ministry demanding action from the school.
Duties
1. Lead the Positive Behavior Management Program (I Am HUBS) and other initiatives that aim at developing students as responsible global citizens.
2. Work with the school leadership team and teachers to develop, implement and review all systems, policies and procedures related to pastoral care and child safeguarding:
school code of conduct and disciplinary policies and procedures
anti-bullying and discrimination
student reward systems
child safeguarding (the Pastoral Care Head assumes the role of the Lead for Child Safeguarding)
school evacuation and lockdown
drop-off and pick-up
field trip safety policy and procedures
security and safety of school facilities
critical incidence
student supervision
student attendance
student transition
training of student, staff and parent on the policies and procedures as needed
(Note: the Pastoral Care Head is in charge of policy development and implementation in these areas. For policy, procedure, process, form development, Head Office approval is required before any of these system elements come into effect.)
3. Work with the Grade and Subject Program Heads to (1) implement the Positive Behavior Management Program and (2) develop routines that will be applicable school-wide inside and outside the classrooms, on and off-campus, for students to understand and consistently implement the required child safety policies and procedures (3) cooperate on implementing all other areas that require the involvement of teachers in the implementation of required policies/procedures
4. Review and update policies and procedures in the areas listed above annually or as and when needed.
5. Oversee the work of counselors responsible for discipline to ensure discipline is a learning process and supports the Program.
6. Work with the Grade and Subject Program Heads on integrating instruction that supports positive behavior in the classroom such as hands-on and gender-specific instruction.
7. Coordinate with the Arabic Program leadership to integrate the Islamic teaching in the behavior program to build on HUBS students’ faith to drive good character development. If this aspect is left unmanaged, it can work against the development of globalism and result in continued bullying of students of different nationalities and/or faith.
8. Participate in meeting parents regarding behavior and punctuality challenges.
9. Lead initiatives that promote student voice in and outside the classroom working with grade Program Heads and their teachers; this includes leading the Student Council and Student Ministries.
10. Plan and implement a program f