Job Discussion Forums

[jsteventon]

Javagall - you are indeed atypical on 18 periods a week! Extremely unusual! However, being on 30 periods with all the extras you mention is still a very viable timetable and definitely does not merit being put on the 'frustrations' thread!

Have had rats in staffroom but stayed on happily in the school for years! None in my present school.

I only use a driver very occasionally for school pick-ups, not drop-offs. He is experienced and I have been with him in the car several times myself to check the safety aspects. He has seatbelts in all seats and drives well.

JS

[BellaBrunei]

I wanted to point out on the driver issue- there are times it is a necessity. there are teaching parents at schools in Tutong, for instance, where it is logisitically impossible to get your own children to school at a suitable time and be at your own school on time. For instance, driving fairly fast, I am able to get from my school to ISB in 45 minutes. If I dropped the kids off at 7am, I would not get to school until at least 7.45, making me late, every day. My other half's school is slightly closer, only a 35 minute drive, but would still be late if doing the school run.

For potential applicants, it is something to bear in mind- although cfbt tries to put people with school aged children in BSB schools, sometimes it is just not possible. In that case, unless one has a non-working, driving spouse I think a driver becomes a necessity (or an Amah who drives).


I have been in the car with my driver, as well as followed her to school a couple of times, when things were forgotten or for meetings, and found this reassuring. That said, I hired someone who only works for me and I can't comment on the shared driver scenario from the point of view of someone who uses that service.

Regarding Javagall's workload- lucky thing! ....it varies from school to school. I currently have 24 periods a week, 3 extra classes and am assistant form teacher. Last year was 30 periods a week. The average seems to be 3-4 english classes, at 5-7 periods a week, depending on year level. And like anywhere, you could get a good year with a light load, followed by a year with a heavier load. It's still less than both Int'l schools and my home country.

[Prog Rocker]

Well I had the interview...always hard to reflect on how it went but I know I messed up a few questions: mind just went blank! Not good on phone interviews - prefer body language/eye contact! Nerves got the better of me. I guess it all depends on how much they go on the performance of the interview (probably a lot as it's the only contact point), and the calibre of the other applicants. Time will tell....I'm waiting on the postman!

Anyways...on the positive side, if I still get the job, one more question:
anyone's children been refused entry to ISB simply due to overcrowding? I imagine they have a waiting list?

[BellaBrunei]

It has happened. I understand there was at least one child whose family came in 2009 who was unable to get a place until this academic year. The advice I got was to register the children regardless of whether you were 100% certain you were going to come or not. In the grand scheme of things, it's only $150 to register and you would have to pay that if you came at either school (registration fee ISB or JIS), and if you don't it's not the end of the world. As you have 2 at school (yes?) it would be $300. WHich in pounds doesn't sound that bad. There are also St George and St Andrews but it was harder for me to find information about them when I was looking at schools.

CfBT do kind of push ISB. They have negotiated corporate rates with them, for instance but not JIS. The location is nice and central and even though, to me, the facilities seem a bit squashy, they do have all the right things going on there and the children are happy. Once they move to a new site (supposed to happen in the next few years) hopefully they will be able to sort out things like parking and , good lord, a school bus for primary students. Would make my day!

Sorry, went off on a tangent. Do any other posters have information about JIS/ St George/ St Andrews/ gov't schools (you never know...) that could balance out my post?

[celtica]

[BellaBrunei]

That's what one of the teachers told me when I asked! Guess I had better exhale before I turn blue and pass out.

[Prog Rocker]

Thanks for that info. So regardless of the different opinions of ISB and JIS, alot of it depends on availability in the first instance.

If and when the green light comes, getting the kids on the list will be a priority!

It might be useful for others to know that there are some downloadable resources from the CfBT website - briefing handbook and living in Brunei which give more information, as well as the St George & St Andrews schools.

[BOBBYSUE]

Prog - good luck with the outcome. I am pretty sure by the way that all your dependants get flights paid to come out at the beginning and leave at the end, even if you have 10 kids and you are a single teacher. It's the education allowances and travel allowances between contracts which are limited to 2, or 3 for teaching couples.

[Prog Rocker]

Thanks Bobbysue - and you are right about the flights being fully paid for: this was confirmed on the phone.