2018 Interview with BC Offshore School
Superintendent for Japan, Margaret Compo1) Please tell us about your background and educational history.
COMPO: I have been a BC educator for over 45 years. I have taught every grade from kindergarten
to university in the BC public school system. I have been a BC principal onshore for 15 years, and a
BC offshore principal and consultant for the last 15 years.
My field is brain research. The interesting thing about my research is that it has been steered towards
understanding how the brain works and how that translates into classroom strategies for students.
2) What kind of school are you aiming to create here at OGCIS (Osaka Gakugei CanadianInternational School)?
COMPO: The OGCIS program will be based on the new BC curriculum and is planned to develop
Content, Core Competencies and Major Concepts. The program has students involved in asking
questions; "What are my career-life choices?" "What are my career-life decisions?" "How do I cultivate
networks and build relationships?" “How do I become a lifelong learner?” As we are all expected tohave at least three to four different careers in our lives, it is seen as very important. We need to havecurious, flexible, lifelong learners who can change and learn as they need and as the world changes.
In Grade10, OGCIS students will travel to BC, Canada and go to Belmont High School in the Sooke
School District. They will be fully immersed in an English-language public school experience. Students
will earn their BC Social Studies 10 credits and will be engaged in outdoor recreation activities. This
five-week travel abroad program builds confidence and maturity in a safe, English speaking
environment.
3) What kind of students are you hoping to attract?
COMPO: We want students who are academically strong, but that alone is not enough. We are looking
for those students who are adventuresome and may be thinking about going abroad to international
universities. We are looking for those students who have a strong commitment. It is more about work
ethic, a willingness to be challenged, and overcoming those challenges. They need to have both theability and the drive required to become a native-level English speaker.
4) What are the educational policies and ideals of the BC program?
COMPO: BC education has always been ranked at the top of the international education community.
We need students in the future who are inquiring, creative, thoughtful and active learners. We needfuture global citizens who will be informed and involved in the challenges we face. The BC Offshore
School program is based on the ideals of creating active, twenty-first-century learners.
5) Lastly, what are your feelings, philosophies, and aspirations on education?
COMPO: My personal philosophy is embedded in the new BC curriculum. We need the next
generation to be inquiring, researching, questioning and active in helping the world succeed.
We know the Japanese students and curriculum are also rated near the top of the international
rankings. Japanese students are already successful and well-prepared. So what do we bring that isnew? The new BC program and OGCIS will offer strategies and experiences in critical thinking,challenging activities, enquiry based learning and building research skills. Our hope is to work
together and offer even greater learning opportunities for our Japanese students.