I had the same experience as Sid mentioned, not realising that when I entered the details of referees that it would automatically ask for confidential references. It was only when one of my referees mentioned to me that they hadn't had a chance to fill it in yet that I actually realized it was following the ISS/Search confidential reference model.

Interestingly, one of my referees commented later that they preferred the Schrole reference from an Admin perspective as they felt it was much more up-to-date with the types of things they want to know about potential candidates.

My current Admin were happy to fill out the Schrole references, but I will be more careful now not to burden my referees with multiple confidential reference requests from recruiting agents I may not use. It seems a few of the schools I will be targeting are using Schrole as the only means of submitting an application so I'm glad I have it active.

[b]"AIS has one of the lowest packages in HCMC, many staff are earning less than 3000 USD per month"[/b]

Perhaps for staff at the lower end of the salary scale before benefits such as housing is added in, yes it would be just under $3000 (by a couple of hundred dollars), but once housing is added then that above statement is completely incorrect.

[b]"refer to the search website for info about AIS where they give a very low wage scale and say that they only pay in Dong"[/b]

The amounts listed on Search are after tax which is why AIS says 0% for tax, other schools such as SSIS and ISHMC list the salary as pre-tax.

[b]"AIS wages are lower than most in HCMC"[/b]

Incorrect. Once tax is taken out of the other salaries, the AIS package is much the same as schools such as SSIS, ISHMC.

[b]"They pay in DONG"[/b]

Currently incorrect. It's still majority USD and a smaller percentage VND. As of 2013-2014 it will be 100% VND, as will BIS and ISHMC, in fact I believe BIS started it this academic year.

[b]"Banks will not change Dong to Dollars, you have to go to money changers for that"[/b]

ANZ will transfer VND out of the country so long as there is proof via the deposits of where the VND came from.

[b]"They actually pay into both a Vietnam bank and Western bank per new Vietnam law. So transferring money out is set up for you at the western bank and very easy." [/b]

Perhaps this quote is referring to SSIS. Staff at AIS have ANZ bank accounts, one VND, one USD.

I use Kayak and Skyscanner to check available routes etc, then book directly with the airline. Most of the time I have found it's cheaper to book directly on the airline website.

Qatar from DC.

"What about ACG? Any good?"

Merging with the Australian school next academic year.

"PMH hae had enough and are sending in Cognita to turn it around."

Really? When is this supposedly happening? Goodbye SSIS if Cognita does an ISHMC to it.

[quote="Yantantether"] And do they offer housing allowance on top of that?
[/quote]

It's a boarding school, you live on campus.

Does anyone know if any of the schools in KL run an inquiry based curriculum in Elementary?

I know there is only one PYP school there, Fairview, but I'm wondering if there are other schools running their own inquiry based curriculum like JIS and UWC do.

Simon Leslie from NIST will be the new Head. Will he be able to turn the reputation around?

My current school in SE Asia has tie written in the contract, however in reality elementary don't have to wear tie, but middle and high school males do. It also has tailored shorts written in the contract but we have always been told we are not allowed to wear them. Female staff members at my current school are allowed to dress right down, however male staff members aren't afforded the same luxury, which is a joy when doing playground duty in the heat and humidity.

Does anybody have any information about this school? What's it like compared to other schools in Bogota etc? No reviews in the paid section.

According to Search the salary is a little more than CNG, but well behind Anglo. Benefits seems to be better than Anglo (even CNG in some aspects) though (12% retirement, worldwide medical etc).

Thanks for the info Mathman. I would be in primary if anything comes of my application. Is that where you worked?

I dont have any financial commitments, but you still think I would live pay cheque to pay cheque? Can you explain the bonus thing you mentioned, it's not mentioned on their Search profile?

Phuket has a few international schools these days.

[quote="Rob"]The school pays in all US dollars. The school assists you in opening up a US dollar account at VietCom Bank (the national bank). You can withdraw the money whenever you desire (in US dollars). When you use their ATM cards, you withdraw local currency at the current rates.

Rob[/quote]

Thanks. I was wondering since some of the other schools are going to pay in 100% local currency, or they are at least trying to go to 100% local currency from what I hear. Surprising they use a local bank and not one of the international branded banks.

Does anyone know if SSIS is paying staff in dollars, local currency, or a combination of the two?