It's exactly as @PsyGuy said. Our contract states to be an active member in all areas of the school. Guidance given is to join one of the trips, appropriate to grade level. In Primary and Middle School these happen in the school year, High School is one week in the holidays.

Before covid the schedule for these was well known. Post covid the information has come out a bit later, and for example this year I already have travel booked when the school trips are happening.

The expectation are also that you do an hour and a half of extra curricular a week (or equivalent). The professionalism in my school means that aside from teachers where there's some extenuating circumstances happen, most are beyond that minimum expectation in terms of extracurricular. It is really a positive part of the experience of being here, I just wish the rest of the time expectations weren't so maxed out.

High School in Singapore

My school does a lot of trust of our professionalism. We only have to be on site to teach our lessons and complete our duties. Our school day runs from 8:10 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

I am in high school. Full-time teachers do 15 x 75 minute lessons a week. And they have a mentor group which they see 25 minutes a day. So that gives about 20 hours a week of contact time.

We have a 30 minute lunch or break time duty every week, be available for cover for a 75 minute lesson (but maybe I do six to eight a year) and we also have a 70 minute after school meeting every week.

Teachers are expected to support at least two clubs or activities, which would be about another 90 minutes a week total.

So I guess that totals 24h per week if no cover.

We are also expected to join at least one expedition or trip which lasts for a week. In high school these happen in the holidays.

We have 36 teaching weeks, and one week before students come for preparation.

UWCSEA. So maybe still hope then!

I have heard back from the one large Singapore school I applied for at the end of October. Probably not the answer you want to hear, but I had Skype interview on Friday Oct 31st, then heard the Monday to have an interview in London Nov 11th. They said that they would be in touch next week to let me know if I would move on to the next stage... Feel free to PM if I can help with any more details.

Thank you Shadowjack and Rob both very much! Really great to here of people starting there own business and the number of gyms and possible interest in boxing. My husband also has experience with running jobs and basics of other trades, so it is great to think of him possibly getting some work in the school itself as a possibility. I have my second round interview tomorrow and the information from both of you is very useful.

The information I have so far is that my one salary plus housing allowance could be sufficient for both of us (we're not crazy spenders), so anything he could do to earn would be extra, and also, as I said, be important for him to be busy as he's not the sit around type.

Hello ISR forum-I'm a long time reader, first time poster!



After much consideration, I have been selectively applying for jobs overseas and have now gained a second interview for a teaching post in a school in Singapore. My husband and I (no kids) are keen to travel and earn money in a different part of the world and enjoy seeing some amazing places.



I (hope) I have read enough on here and TES overseas forum to be aware of most things (although help and advice always appreciated), but the one thing I don't feel I have enough information on is what non-teaching trailing spouses can or do do (I have seen the other forum topics, which has been helpful, but I was hoping for more specifics). My husband is a carpenter by trade but, unfortunately, in most countries we are looking at that's not really a viable or practical option (low pay, tools and transport needed, etc). However, it would obviously be very important for him to work, not just to help out financially (although I have been told my package should cover us well), but also as he's not the type to sit around all day.



Our initial thoughts, looking at his other skills and hobbies, would be to gain some qualifications as a personal fitness trainer (he currently has a boxing coaching certificate) and look to do that self-employed/sole-proprietorship in Singapore (or Oman, Thailand or Hong Kong that we are also looking at). Does anyone have or know anyone who does or has done this? I am aware that no one here is an employment advisor for MOM, but knowledge of what others have done in similar situations would be much appreciated.



Thank you in advance for your help!