Educating With Kindness at Hawar International School
In this exclusive interview, we speak with Julia Knight, Vice Principal for Whole School Improvement at Hawar International School about creating opportunities for students to succeed in life.
We are facilitators of tomorrow's leaders, we are duty-bound to serve our communities and to ensure the highest standards are upheld. As a leader, I always try to understand the community first, the students, the staff and the parents. I find out about aspirations and our alumni to see the calibre of young people in our classrooms – that way, we can meet the challenges and rise to the opportunities.
A full complement of learning opportunities tailored to our students' futures, we are an inclusive school that supports all learners. Children of all ages require school to be a place where they feel safe, feel they can make mistakes, learn from them, and move forward confidently, whatever situation they find themselves in.
Back when the school was first established, Hawar was proudly pioneering SEN support for learners. Now as we move forward, the challenges are to be up to date with pedagogy that inspires, inclusive education is the way forward for society and Bahrain has championed inclusive education for many years. An inclusive school is where kindness permeates the classrooms and this in turn helps our children to be excellent citizens beyond the school gate.
We also offer the very first immersive Arabic and English Kindergarten programme for our youngest learners in the Kingdom. Our Kindergarten splits the curriculum 50/50 with a truly play-based approach – the children also experience Choose Day every Tuesday where they get to explore thematic learning and lead their learning.
In my lifetime as an educator, I have seen chalkboards become smart boards, the telly on wheels become YouTube; the internet has revolutionized every industry. AI is now here and we are on a precipice of creative change. 54% of children use AI to do their homework (AIPRM) which tells me two things: homework as we know it is redundant and as adults, we need to focus on teaching our children the skills needed to use AI, such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning and interpretation because we need our young people to understand the many pitfalls as well the uplifts that AI can bring to society.
We have so many! It's very hard to pinpoint one over another and success looks different to and for everybody. However, we have some karate champions among our girls; we have a world-class chess player; an unbelievably talented photographer who has written a book about the moon and a podcaster who won an award for his podcast series. Last year, our school celebrated the highest scores for our IBDP programme in Bahrain. We also have three students selected for the Crown Prince Scholarship – an amazing achievement and testament to our amazing school community.
This is a tough question! What we remember about school is never Maths on a Monday period 1 is it? Well, not for an English teacher anyway! My best memories are of school plays and drama productions and reading in the garden during summer – my school was in Greenwich, London and we had a beautiful garden that overlooked the Thames. My English teacher was so inspirational, that I decided to follow in her footsteps.
Hawar International School serves the Riffa community and we are proud that our parents and alumni go on to serve Bahrain in ministry, military and medical careers. We offer a curriculum rooted in Arabic and Islamic values and culture, combining it with a forward-facing British curriculum that offers different pathways to success in an inclusive environment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Gulf Weekly
Tale of human connections
The English translation of former Bahrain-resident and author Millat Ahmad's novel has hit the shelves, and offers a poignant portrayal of migrant life abroad, writes Melissa Nazareth. Indian expatriate and second-year student at Catholic Junior College, Singapore, Alief Ahmad, collaborated with his father Millat, who wrote the novel Singapooril Saravanan in 2020 in Tamil. The new book entitled Three Hearts, One Sorrow brings alive culture, history and human emotion and is set against the Little India riot, which took place on December 8, 2013, following an accident that killed an Indian worker. 'While the novel is purely a work of fiction, it's inspired by true events,' 53-year-old Millat, who is also known for his filmmaking, told GulfWeekly. 'The initial inspiration for this story came to me while I was in Bahrain as I witnessed first-hand the incredible social work of individuals in the kingdom, who dedicate their own money and efforts to help repatriate the bodies of deceased Indian workers to their families back home,' he added. The novel captures the emotional journey of Saravanan's friends, as they navigate the complex process of repatriating his body to his homeland, after he dies amidst the unrest. Millat masterfully weaves together the life stories of three individuals, presenting the narrative from multiple perspectives: through the eyes of a character, as a narrator, and via a diary. This multi-faceted approach offers a deeply emotional and nuanced exploration of foreign workers' lives, exposing the harsh realities of agent exploitation and painstakingly detailing the procedures and certifications required to bring a deceased body back to India. 'My son suggested that translating the novel into English would help it to reach a wider audience, especially those who don't read Tamil,' said the former video shop owner who used to live on Zubarah Avenue in Bahrain. 'While still an O-Level student at St Patrick's School, he eagerly volunteered for the task, diligently working on the translation during his breaks from studies. He completed the project during his school holiday. 'The publication of Three Hearts, One Sorrow coincides with Singapore's 60th Diamond Jubilee this year,' Millat added.
Daily Tribune
20-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Frightening Moment as Plane Catches Fire During Takeoff in Los Angeles
A Delta Airlines flight heading to Atlanta was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport after one of its engines caught fire during takeoff. The dramatic incident occurred shortly after Delta flight 446, a Boeing 767-400, lifted off the runway. Video footage taken from the ground shows flames shooting from the aircraft's left engine as it climbed into the sky over LA. The pilots acted swiftly, safely circling the plane back to the airport and making a smooth emergency landing. No injuries were reported. 'Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft's left engine,' a Delta spokesperson confirmed to the BBC. The moment was captured on camera by Josh, who co-runs the popular aviation YouTube channel LA Flights. The video shows the engine catching fire just moments into the flight, offering a real-time glimpse into the terrifying scene. Thanks to the quick response from the flight crew and ground staff, all passengers were safe and the situation was brought under control without further incident.
Gulf Insider
12-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Sharjah Public Libraries Launch Exhibition On Arabic Script Evolution
As part of its centennial celebrations, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) has launched an engaging exhibition titled 'The History of Letters and Movement', currently on display at Al Rahmaniyah Mall until 20 July. The exhibition is held in collaboration with the Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah and traces the evolution of Arabic script over 14 centuries — from early abstract forms to one of the most expressive writing systems in the world. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the exhibition offers a deep dive into the milestones that have shaped Arabic writing, highlighting key developments such as the introduction of diacritical marks, refinement of calligraphic styles, and the script's elevation through its use in the Holy Quran. These transformations turned Arabic script into both a medium for knowledge transmission and a form of artistic expression, preserving cultural identity across generations. The exhibition underscores the pivotal role of the Holy Quran in standardising and enhancing the Arabic language. Through its linguistic precision and aesthetic excellence, the Quran has significantly influenced the tools of writing and pronunciation, helping Arabic evolve into a comprehensive and eloquent language. Rare manuscripts and artefacts from the Holy Quran Academy's collection are on display, showcasing the artistic diversity of Arabic calligraphy. These exhibits reveal how the written word has preserved heritage and served as a mirror of societal and intellectual shifts in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Eman Bushulaibi, Director of SPL, said: 'The exhibition is part of SPL's ongoing efforts to introduce the public to the rich artistic and cultural heritage embedded in Arabic writing. The development of Arabic script reflects a cultural movement that played a key role in the intellectual and scientific renaissance of the Arab and Islamic world.' She added that despite the limited tools available to early scribes — just reed pens and inkwells — they succeeded in creating a legacy of knowledge that continues to inspire. 'We hope visitors will reflect on this enduring power of writing and its vital role in preserving identity and sharing ideas across generations.' SPL encourages residents and visitors of all ages to explore the journey of the Arabic letter, from stone inscriptions to printed books, in this unique celebration of a living linguistic heritage.
