Job Discussion Forums

jackmack · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Brunei

Hello,

My husband and I are about to apply for a NET job. We have been teaching in rural and remote regions for the past 15 years, so, HK will be a change. Nonetheless, I have heard that there are schools which are not part of the city - obviously not remote, but more rural in orientation. Is this true?

And, using this as a premise, is it possible to nominate locations or express preference?

One more thing - what is the deal with the classification of schools, and are the lower classified schools really as bad as they say?

Thanks

J

Horizontal Hero

My 5 cents worth.

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

I don't think it really matters where you are based in HK because it's usually fairly easy to get to any of the more 'remote' areas in a short journey. Also, most schools are in the more densely populated areas, and I would always recommend a good school over living in a good area.

jackmack · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Brunei

Thanks guys, just one point I need clarification on...

To the baby dancer:

You say I recommend a good school over living in a good area...

What consitutes a good area to live in? My husband and I want to live, if at all possible, somewhere that isn't too congested, but do not need to live in whiz bang mega luxury accommodation ( we lived in very small places in remote aboriginal communities in Australia). I guess I am curious... are you saying that a "good area" is one that is further from the central part of the city? And, are the schools in these areas less attractive?

To be quite honest, I too, would rather a good school over a good area to live. I don't mean to ask what may seem to be obvious questions, but we are looking at moving to Hong Kong for at least three to five years. so I want to be able to make an informed decision.

Thanks again

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

By 'good', I meant one that was 'good' for your tastes.

You won't exactly find the Outback, but there are plenty of mangy looking wild dogs a la dingoes here! There are lots of little villages off the beaten track which are pleasant to look at and are devoid of other foreigners, but I'd still rather live within a close commute to work, though, especially as most government schools require you to start at the crack of dawn. (I'm not a morning person.)

Your call.

jackmack · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Brunei

Sorry I this is a little late to be getting back to you... hope you read this...

Q.1. What would be the most one could expect to commute?

Q.2. What does the "crack of dawn" constitute - we start school here at 7.30 and finishe at 12.30 (the actual teaching day - we are often here til 2.00)

Sorry to be a pest!

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

Commute time? It's hard to answer, as there are infinite commuting combinations depending on where you live and work. In addition, the transport network here is forever growing. Next, I'm expecting door to door monorail link - wouldn't that be great?
Before the KCR West link rail line was completed, it could take one and a half hours to go by bus from Hung Hom to Tin Shui Wai. Many HK locals are happy commuting like this, with many school teachers getting up at 5am, but they are superhuman beings conditioned by years in their industrious educational systems. I am on the contrary, a pampered white man!
If you live on the outlying islands, you'll need to commute by ferry. Allow at least one hour if you include ferry travel. Some people use the ferry commute as an opportunity to get some breakfast and lesson prep done.

One of the things I found convenient about living close to a school is that whenever lessons were suddenly cancelled for some reason - rain storm warning, special event... and the school 'forgot' to tell me in advance there were no classes (something very common here) - I had only lost a few minutes commute time. I would have been really peeved off had I had just travelled for 1 hour or more as had some of my co-workers.