Education Leaders
Sigve Austheim, Chief Learning Officer
Sigve has been ABQ’s Chief Learning Officer since August 2018. His main task is to improve teaching and learning across the group, in collaboration with our academic staff. He is a qualified teacher and has Bachelor of Arts degrees in both History and Political Science from the University of Oslo, in addition to an MBA from the University of Wales. He came from the position as Principal of Azerbaijan British College and was previously the Founding Principal of a British school in Spain, as well as a private Norwegian upper secondary school in Oslo. He has over 10 years of experience as a principal and more than 15 years of teaching practice.
He is very familiar with Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, as well as other examination boards. Through developing, implementing and supervising comprehensive systems for achieving academic excellence, his previous school ranked among the best international schools for their first IGCSE results (A*-A). By writing comprehensive sets of policies, procedures, and guidelines for international schools, he was able to put into effect proper structures and academic strategies. He has successfully hosted several school inspections, including the COBIS Compliance programme, CIS Membership and Accreditation, NABSS and several LEAs.
Dederick Swart, Principal, ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International Private School
Dederick is a true leader with 15 years’ experience in school management, of which nine of these years were as Executive Head at a prominent Cambridge school in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
After school, Dederick completed his B. Com and Honours Degrees in Human Resources. After completing his studies, he worked in the UK for two years. Upon his return to South Africa, he completed his PGCE. He became a director of an MBA Labour Law Firm and completed diplomas and an Honours degree in Labour Law. After gaining extensive experience in Labour Law, he returned to teaching. His teaching experience includes both primary and high school, specialising in accounting.
He took up a position in management as a Head of Department at a government school and contributed immensely to the school’s growth, which led to an international school offering him a position as Head of High School. After only a year, he was promoted to Executive Head of an independent Cambridge school. Due to his guidance and management style, the school has seen tremendous growth. As an educational enthusiast, Dederick uses all the tools at his disposal to impart a love for learning to every student he has the privilege of working with. He joined ABQ in 2021 as the principal of Sohar International School before joining the sister school, ABQ Azzan Bin Qais, as principal in 2024.
Sharl Prinsloo, Principal, ABQ Seeb International Private School
Sharl has been involved with education for more than 20 years. After completing his education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, he started his career at a primary school in Cape Town. Having to deal with large class sizes and other socio-economic problems associated with inner-city schools at the start of his career, prepared him for his future in the multicultural environment of international education. He accepted an excellent opportunity to further his career in the UK dividing his time between playing cricket and teaching. Teaching in the UK for several years exposed him to different teaching methods and viewpoints and planted the seed of international education.
On his return to South Africa, he spent three years in their family business, gaining valuable experience on the financial front. However, the call of the education sector proved too strong, and he returned to teach science at a primary school.
He worked his way up through the ranks of teacher, followed by Head of Department, and then Deputy Principal at a prestigious school in Pretoria. Sharl joined Sohar International School in 2009. He held the position of Head of Primary at Sohar International School for four years before gaining a promotion to principal. He joined the sister school, ABQ Seeb, as principal at the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
Barney Kruger, Principal, ABQ Sohar International Private School
Barney Kruger has a robust background in international education, with 17 years of experience. He began his journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Tourism Management from North-West University, South Africa, in 2007. He started his teaching career in prestigious international schools in Qatar and later completed a PGCE focused on Geography and Mathematics, along with an extended teaching diploma in Mathematics and Mathematics Literacy.
Currently pursuing an MBA in Action Learning and Project-Based Management at the Business School of the Netherlands, Barney is equipped with advanced strategic and operational management skills. Before joining ABQ Sohar, he served as the Head of Secondary at ABQ Seeb International School in Muscat, Oman, where his leadership led to significant academic and operational improvements. He also held the position of Executive Head at Ashton John’s Private School in South Africa, guiding the school from its inception in 2021.
Barney’s professional experience includes roles in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and leadership positions across the Middle East, giving him a deep understanding of international curricula and educational leadership. His leadership philosophy centers on creating student-focused learning environments and innovative educational methods.