Job Discussion Forums

[smadden]

Thanks once again for your help with information about the PNET scheme.

I have very quickly received an e-mail from Tseung Kwan O Kei Tak Primary School (with S.K.H. Kei Tak Primary School in Wong Tai Sin as the partner school) asking for my availablility and outlining the aims of the scheme specific to the school etc.

I would really appreciate it if anyone would have any information on the distance between these locations (I have found them both on the MRT map but i'm not sure of how long it would take to get there) and where is a suitable place to live. Would Happy Valley (or somewhere similar) be appropriate to balance travelling to the schools in alternate weeks and having a night life in Central on a weekend?

Your thoughts are very welcome!

Thanks

Steven

[munasa]

Congratulations. It's a good sign that your schools have been in touch so quickly. It could mean that they are very efficient! (or desperate )

For help in finding your bearings in HK:

www.ypmap.com

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/e_customer_index.php

www.citybus.com.hk

I don't know your schools, sorry.

Happy Valley is a great location to live in, but a bit off the beaten track in some ways -- well, for heading in the direction you will be going every weekday. You might consider North Point.

Most NETs recommend staying in a serviced apt or hotel for a few weeks before deciding where to live.

Munasa

[dandan]

If your schools are in Wong Tai Sin and Tseung Kwan O then the best places to live would be .............



.............. Wong Tai Sin or Tseung Kwan O.

[anninhk]

I agree with North Point. I lived there for 2 years and it is a very convenient location.
I lived in a serviced apartment there but now they seem a thing of the past because of mainland tourists but there are one or two good hotels and you might get a good deal.
It is cheaper to live in Tseung Kwan O as it is at the end of the line and the apartments are generally cheaper but not as convenient for Central, although a lot of people live out at Sai Kung and have no problems getting to Central or other places.
Transport in HK is great and comparatively cheap so wait till you get here and find a place you like.
You will have to sign a lease for 2 years and can only leave after 13 months so it is good to look around before you commit yourself.

[Joachim]

I wouldn't reccomend living in Kowloon. it is so congested and noisy, I would say either Hong Kong island or the New Territories.

From Central you can get to both Wong Tai Sin and Tseung Kwan O in under an hour by MTR or buses, but don't rush into finding a place, it's better to stay in a serviced apartment and find somewhere you really like.

HK island is more expensive, but much better connected, and has more other expats around. Many live in Happy Valley and Mid Levels, which are almost like western villages in some ways....although Happy Valley isn't on the MTR (yet) which can be a pain.

I live in Sheung Wan and love it there - very close to central, but not quite as noisy or expensive, still sufficiently Chinese and very well connected.

[smadden]

Well, I have also received another offer!

This school is in Ngau Tau Kok. I guess that would mean still living somewhere like North Point?

The advantage of this school is that I would be working alternately in the AM and PM school until there are enough NETs, at which point I would be allowed to choose which school i'd prefer to work in. So at least I would only be travelling to one building!

They also said I would be teaching Primary 1 and 2. Does that mean I'll only be teaching 2 levels?

Anyway, I accepted the offer. Who said the EMB and schools were inefficient? The teacher i've been communicating with responds within the day to the queries that I have.

Thanks for any more info that may be useful.

Steven

[monty97]

Hi Steven,

Congrats on the PNET job. It's a better deal to be working in one building than travelling between two locations.
Don't want to rain on your parade but did you find out why the previous PNET left? Also, if you'll be teaching P1 and P2 then there's a good chance that your school could be part of the PLP. IMO, PNETS on this programme have relatively easier lives then those who aren't, as teaching resources and lesson plans are provided.
Also, don't have high hopes about working at one school in the near future. I'm now into my fourth year working at two schools (AM/PM), so far six people have turned down the offer of working at my PM school.

Good luck and enjoy your time in HK.

[munasa]

Hi Steven,

Congratulations! I hope the position turns out to be a good one.

The EMB has been recommending that we work in lower primary classes, so P1 and P2 would be appropriate.

If the schools are using the EMB's PLP-R scheme (Primary Literacy Program - Reading) there are many advantages. But, I am using the scheme in one school and rather than less work, I find it makes more work! There's a lot of record-keeping, portfolio compiling and preparing of materials before lessons. We don't have a classroom assistant (which is actually an EMB requirement), so we teachers have a lot of extra work to do. However, now that we have reached stage 2 of the scheme, it is starting to run smoothly and the kids are making progress. If you are including P3, as we are, you have to develop most of your own materials.

The resources and lesson plans that are provided are harder to use than textbook materials! A lot of photocopying and laminating. And the lesson plans need to be adjusted to suit the students. But -- it's not all bad and the materials were revised at the end of last year and they are better now.

Munasa

[LV]

Congratulations on your job. I have been following your postings as I too am hoping for a job in HK in the new year. Best of luck.

[hkgirlo]

I agree with the idea of deciding when you get here. But one thing to think about is that you will have to sign a lease for a year.. so it depends when you come, but you dont want to leave with a few months left on your lease. I lived in TKO, its nice. Its about 20 min by train to central. The more you go up the green line towards Wong Tai Sin the harder it is to get to central. I think Kowloon Tong is about 20-25 min from central. I wouldnt worry about the living thing till you get here..find a temp flat share or serviced appartment and then decide.

I would find out the details of the contracts you have. How many classes you will teach. What time you come/leave school. What extra curricular is expected of you. Will you need to work saturdays? (with the am/pm school you will work sat) Find out about any holidays etc.. You are in a good position with 2 schools wanting you...you can negotiate. I certainly did and Ive got a sweet deal.

So base your decision on what the school is offering and it doesnt need to be a secret that another school is intersted. I think the schools don't realize what a demand for teachers there is!!!! I would use that as an advantage and don't accept something you're not happy with because there are tons of jobs here!!