Not many affordable options available close to the school. The school has accom in Repulse Bay at the elementary site and at the HKIS middle/high school site. All are good by HK standards.

If you don't stay in the accom provided there are planty of options available to you and travel to HKIS isn't bad, 25min from Central depending on traffic. They have school buses that come in from all over HK Island that you could use if needed. HK island is a very small place, no where is very far away.

Fair enough. Just pointing out that HK is a good deal for teachers and shouldn't be overlooked because the cost of living is high.

Is it GEMS American Academy?

If so Ian Deakin has left now and the new Principal is Dan Keller.

Having been at the Search Associates Bangkok fair I would think that this school and most of the other GEMS schools will be recruiting at the fairs, as most of them will be in London this weekend.

Hallier

you can PM me on the TES forum. My username in bodisalpha and I have started a thread in the teaching overseas forum asking about helpers in Abu Dhabi.

I would be very interested in hearing any first (or second) hand accounts of the school as its a big, big decision to move the family.

Thanks

Inman

I have had a few people say nannies are cheap but no-one ever puts a figure on it! DO you know roughly how much a live in nanny costs per month?

Cheers

Much appreciated Gus. Thank you.

I interviewed with Ian at the Search Bangkok job fair and have been in touch with him since at his new email address.

Still looking for some information about the cost of a helper/nanny if anyone can help.

Can you give me an idea of much a helper/nanny costs per month?

Actually in HK department heads, 2 i/c, and any teachers with additional responsibility are on the same salary scale, with TLR points that count towards extra money. TLR 1 (top) to a TLR 4 (lowest). Even on the basic salary sclae, with 20% gratuity, rent reimbursement scheme or cash allowance you would still be on US100K (with at least 10 years experience).

Rossi10K

I was hoping you might be able to give me some up to date information about GAA. My wife and I have been offered posotions starting in Aug 2013. Ian Deakin interviewed us, and I know he has already moved to his new position in Dubai.

Is there a pay freeze on at the moment?

General pro's and con's of working at the school?

Ian Deakin has started his new position in Dubai with GEMS. He will be overseeing the opening of 2 new GEMS Schools in the Dubai/AD area. The new principal is now in place.

My wife and I have offered positions at GAA Abu Dhabi and I have been reading the posts on the forum about AD and the school.

If anyone can confirm if they currently have a pay freeze on that would be great and if anyone ACTUALLY works at or personally knows the school I would love to hear from you.

In addition, has anyojne got any helper information? Is it easy to get a helper? Can we try to bring over our current helper (we live in HK and our helper is from the Philipinnes)? How much does a full time live in helper cost in AED? Can helpers live out and whats the situation with this?

Finally, can anyone comment on the Al Reef 2 bed villa's as thats where we might be living.

Many thanks

I currently live and work in HK and as a middle manager I get paid over $100K per year. Salary.

The package in HK is without a doubt one of the best in the world, including cost of living. 2 FT teachers working for ESF can expect to SAVE over GBP2500 per month and have a wonderful lifestyle.

I know this as we are a teaching couple working at ESF.

My wife and I have been offered positions at GEMS American Academy and we are hoping that we can get some real time information from people who are in Abu Dhabi or work at GAA. We have 2 young children, 3 and 5, and are currently living in and teaching in HK.

I have been looking through many posts and can confirm that Ian Deakin has taken up his new position with GEMS and is now working in Dubai. The new Principal is now in place.

My family are looking for a new experience after 13 years in HK. Pollution, space and closer to the UK were the criteria and AD seems to match our requirements, with a similar expat lifestyle to HK (helper, eating out, friends etc).

If anyone can specifically tell me about working at the school that would be great. I have heard they have a pay freeze on at the moment?

In addition, has anyone got any helper information? Is it easy to get a helper? Can we try to bring over our current helper (we live in HK and our helper is from the Philipinnes)? How much does a full time live in helper cost in AED? Can helpers live out and whats the situation with this?

Finally, can anyone comment on the Al Reef 2 bed villa's as thats where we might be living. Online they look like they are 1300 sq ft.


I know AD will be very diffeent to HK and we are setting ourselves up for the changes!

I look forward to any help and comments.