Thanks Mickey. I appreciate your response.

Does anyone have anything to say about this country, working there and the "new" school apparently going into its second year?

Hi

What would you call a "good package" in Beijing?

Thanks[/quote]

It is St George's College. The Headmaster is Derek Pringle.

Thank you for this. The website shows a lovely campus and you are correct about the area, by the description and pictures. The salary does seem on the low side.

Does anyone know anything about the Director or how others enjoy working at the school specifically?

HAS ANYONE TAUGHT AT THIS SCHOOL, OR KNOW OF IT? I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN HOW INTERNATIONAL IT IS, WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS AND WHETHER YOU WOULD RECOMEND IT.

Dear Carbon

I think my biggest shock was finding out that many, many schools out there are not for real. The children, education and all that a true teacher stands for are not part of the deal. Some administrators and even teachers are willing to do anything to earn money at the cost of everything ture educators (or idealists) hold dear. I wish that I had known this and entered the arena with a more realistic idea of what was going on in schools.

Having said that, nothing can ever replace the experiences I have had - the cultures, friends, sights and sounds and some of the children I know I have touched in some way makes it all worth while.

Hi Wanderlust

This is just not the place for me. The school is termed "international" but all but five or so children are local. That in itself is not a problem, the children are sweet, responsive and affectionate. But the system is very poor - suposedly PYP, but they have no idea! It is also a "bilingual" school, but actually is Spanish with some English thrown in. The reoprt system is absolutely mind boggeling. And once you have negotiated it, you are asked to change your results for certain children!! I am one of three foreign teachers in the school and things are very difficult for us. We are definitely outsiders despite trying our darndest to fit in. The training for teachers here is two years and the locals are poorly paid. They will also not speak up even if they disagree, for fear of repecussions. If you have wandered a bit (as I have) then enough said, I think.

Then the Headmaster is totally out of touch. He hides away from parents although the problems we face are mostly due to his decrees. So we have to answer to his strange decisions which affect the poor children and therefore the parents.

The conditions and salary are also not what was promised which makes for a lot of dissatisfaction. I will see my contract out, but am counting the days.

I am in Argentina. Can't wait to leave!

We bought a car from the autotrader website I gave you. We travelled the length and breadth of the country. The roads are good (you pay tolls, but that ensures the upkeep of the roads).

The people are friendly and will help you a lot. You have to take the crime seriously, but that does not have to restrict you. There are certain areas that you just don't go to - the locals will help you with that. This is the same as in other major cities.

Most hotels in big cities, e.g. Amsterdam or Paris will warn you not to go to certain places, especially at night and not to flaunt valuables. If you obey these simple rules in South Africa, it is fine to travel, to . at night and generally have a good time. Sensible attitudes and listening to advice is all you need.

The hype you see on TV, e.g toyi-toying (dancing and demonstrating) and violent demonstrations take place in isolated pockets. If you are living in a gated community and shopping in shopping malls, you can live in South Africa for years and not actually experience such a thing. It is just a pity that those incidents are the ones that hit the international news.

Living in a gated community in South Africa is usually a good experience. They are secure premises without giving the feeling of being "closed in". Children are free to wander within the safe confines of the usually large grounds, which are usually well maintained. I do not know this particular community, but have lived in others in South Africa.

It is easy to leave the gated community and travel provided you have your own transport. Public transport in South Africa is unreliable and not well set up yet. Check www. autotrader.co.za for reasonably priced, reliable second hand vehicles.

Actually the school is called Pan American School Porto Alegre. I had heard that there are problems with management?

Does anyone have any info about this school? (Teaching conditions, management, housing etc)

Thanks

Dear Carpaccio

I have worked at this school.

It was the most terrible teaching experience of my life.

The amount they promise to pay you, the conditions of service and teaching position may not be honoured. (this was my experience) Once I got there, my salary changed, my housing changed and I did not teach the subject, nor the age level agreed upon.

Management is corrupt and teaching is painstaking and fraught with trauma brought about by the latest managment decisions. I managed to complete my contract, after visits and consultations with the Kuwaiti Court, but many were not so fortunate. Some contracts were terminated summarily according to the wishes of management.

I say BEWARE!

[color=red]Also read the ISR advisory mentioning this school.[/color]

Thank you. That sounds like a good avenue to follow. :D