Job Discussion Forums

hong kong newie · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

Anyone know anything about the charitable organisation known as Po Leung Kuk and the schools they have? Been provisionally offered a job with their school in Tseung Kwan O, what�s the word on that area? (I�m guessing it�s a high rise new town kind of place but at least it�s got a subway station and relatively close to Kowloon stuff, right?). also, anyone know about Farm Road Primary Governemnt school in Kowloon?
So, I have to arrive in HK on by the 15th of August and the term begins on the 1st of September. Do PNETs get paid for these two weeks or so preparation time or just from the first day of term?
Also, if I applied for an interview travel expenses reimbursement (the interview was in late June) how long does it take for them to process it? Cos it�s looking like they wont pay it back soon (had no word about it, who do I contact in the EMB about that?) worried theyre gonna send it to my address in Thailand after ive left the place. Any info on that?
Cheers for any advice and info people can give me.
Tar.

bubblebubble · Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:47 am Post subject:

I can answer your question on Tseung Kwan O as there's where I live. I think you are referring to the Po Leung Kuk Secondary school in Tseung Kwan O. It is near Hang Hau MTR Station, about 10 minutes walk. Tseung Kwan O is a relatively new and developing town. Lots of high rise and shopping malls. The air is quite good as it's close to the sea.

The transportation is quite convenient: good MTR network and major bus lines. It takes about 30 - 35 minutes to go to Causeway Bay, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui (the 'downtown' of HK). If you are to work at Po Leung Kuk, I strongly suggest renting a flat in the Tseung Kwan O area. The rent is reasonable and why bother spending a lot of time travelling to/from work.

Hope this helps. PM me if you'd like to have more details.

starfall · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 18 Location: hong kong

My travel expenses was paid for before I left the country to start the job. If you still have the originals, keep them (and also photocopy a set) so that if it fails to reach you, you can claim it when you'rein HK.

You will be paid from the 16th of Aug to the end of August but bear in mind, payments can be late. Have a reserve of money on you, especially to pay for rent (Plus 2 months in advance/deposit).

You can also claim for advance payment to help cover initial start up costs. This may be granted straight away or , as in my case, I got it 3 months later when I didn't need it. It is deducted monthly from the wages.

Sorry, can't help you about the schools information.

hong kong newie · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

thansk for the info guys. actually it's the primary school PLK in tseung kwan o but i guess theyre close to each other, maybe. what are the rent prices like in TKO then, thinking about a one bedroom, pretty small one person place?
guess i should hassle the EMB about the travel expenses refund.
cheers again

bubblebubble · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 3:48 am Post subject:

the rent varies. a lot of flats here are new so the rent tends to be on the high side. i think you get housing allowance from the NET scheme, rite? if you are looking for a small flat, perhaps around $5000 - $7000. Of course, you have to really take some time to hunt around for a flat. There are quite a number of real estate agents in TKO so don't worry about this. I guess you need to stay in a hostal or hotel nearby for a few weeks to get things settle. See if your school offers any help. PM me if you'd like to have more info about TKO.

Good luck!

bellabella · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 63 Location: Hong Kong

Is this the Po Leung Kuk school you are talking about?
[b]Po Leung Kuk Fung Ching Memorial. Primary School[/b]
If it is its in a place called Hang Hau in Tseung Kwan O. I would definitly suggest living in the Tseung Kwan O area as opposed to Kowloon. The best places are the areas around Po Lam MTR and Tseung Kwan O MTR (i find think that Hang Hau is just too built up while these other areas don't feel so caulostrophobic! (sorry about the spelling but i'm sure you get what i mean!) There are a lot of really nice housing developments to live in in Tseung Kwan O and the rents are pretty reasonable.

hong kong newie · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

thanks again for the info. it's the PLK Wong Wing Shu Primary School, the English panel lady said it's about 5 minutes walk from the TKO MTR, i looked for it on the YPmap but couldn't find it and their website is, undertandably, all in chinese which might as well be martian to me. the partner school is Farm Road Governemnt school which seems to be somewhere in the middle of Kowloon, i think.
i think i'll look at flats around the TKO area as it's pretty convenient to the MTR and i'll be able to stay in bed longer in the morning. i dont suppose you guys know any cheap guesthouses or other places to stay in the area til i can find a gaf? mayb i should just ask the school.
any cheap local bars in the area, i need a local with football on tv
cheers

bubblebubble · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:51 am Post subject:

local bars and pubs. honestly, there is nothing exciting going on at TKO. however, you can take the minibus from Hang Hau MTR station (one station further from TKO MTR stn) to Sai Kung. Minibus no.101M, about 25 min. It's near the sea with lots of seafood and western restaurants. you will find a number of pubs there, lots of westerners. one of the few places in HK where you can survive using English.

of course, you can always take the MTR to Lan Kwai Fong in Central where all the fun and excitments take place. it's around 35 mins... however, no MTR service after 1 p.m. you can only rely on bus or taxi.... quite inconvenient then.

hope this helps!

bellabella · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 63 Location: Hong Kong

definitly no guest houses or hotels in this area! tseung kwan o is really considered the suburbs. there are no decent bars here either. but its quiet, has clean air and the people are friendly!