Well it looks like I'm even more ignorant because I am ALREADY a DP teacher (Groups 1 & 2) and I also have no idea what is being discussed! :(

Reading the post above brought back the memories of the nightmare which is the Assumption College schools... I was actually dismissed after a year's service at one of their schools in a manner which sums them up really...

It was pay day at the end of the month, I checked my bank balance to see if my wages had gone into the bank (well you never know), they had, so I gave in my written formal request to leave (I had gained employment in a IB World School) giving one months notice as per the school's 'employment contract'.

The Brother didn't like that, cheeky foreigner wanting to leave 'his' school, so I was told if I wanted to leave, then go then, same day, no need to stick around for another month. So they broke the 'contract' - for all it's worth, and dismissed me on the spot.

I was warned by other teachers there to just leave and not give notice, because this was likely to happen, but I wanted to do the right thing, but at Assumption schools, the 'right thing' really doesn't mean anything...

I used to work for another of the Assumption Colleges, not this one.

Unless you are unable (lack the qualifications or experience) to find a position in an International school, I would stay well clear of these schools.

If on the other hand you are looking for a Thai school operating within the Thai education system, this school would be at the top end of the pay scale.

With the opening of the BTS extension stations last year and the planned opening of additional stations on the other side of the river this year, it is no longer necessary to live as close to the centre as before.

For example you can get some quiet private townhouse estates, out at the end of the Sukhumvit line close to Bangkok Patana IS (105 & 107), that are safe, quiet and have a mixed community of Thais & expats. I have three groups of friends who live in this area.

30K for a condo in and around NIST (Nana - Asoke) would get you a town house in Bangna if you are prepared to commute in.

I visited the school twice a few years ago to meet the headmaster and do a course there.

Small, rather out of the way (past the larger Ascot school) towards the ring road, just off a busy main road. Fine if you are driving a car. Even on a motorbike or taxi you would be heading out of from the centre, against the traffic.

Headmaster was friendly, can't say any more about him really. School facilities were OK. Salaries weren't great, 60K as I recall, which really is the lowest IS salary you would want to be accepting in BKK.

Sorry, that's all I can add...

Was in Cheap Charlies the other night, a lively expats rather than sexpats bar in downtown Bangkok.

Met up with a few IS teachers who I studied with a few years ago. Both have secured places at IS in Bangkok starting August after having previously worked at other IS in Bangkok.

They and another 'local hire' have all secured flights to country of origin, which surprised me as I also thought flights would be only given to foreign hires. One of my friends has lived in Thailand for 16 years!

Both are female, KS 1 teachers. The other teacher is KS 2.

Where is it in Thailand? I lived and worked there for several years until last year and have never heard of it!

There are many Saint schools there, mostly Catholic, for profit. OK, if you want to teach Thai curriculum and lead an easy life etc.

You should also find out whether the school pays the housing allowance in advance.

Rent on apartments is generally not paid monthly here in JKT but one or two years in advance, depending on the length of the rental contract.

If not, you will have to pay up front out of your own money only to receive the housing allowance monthly 'in arrears' from the school.

Also in my apartment block, I not only have to pay for the rent a year in advance but also the service charge on a monthly basis, unlike other countries where the owners pay the service charge annually.

Think carefully about coming to JKT unless you get a good package, I don't find the cost of living cheap or good value for money.

Again no specific knowledge on the school, but I know from other teachers in Bangkok that the school is well regarded.

I applied for a position there a few months ago (no response), and from what I remember the package as per their website, seemed quite reasonable.

This link was posted recently, may have been here I can't remember; useful though...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162- ... ncol;lst;2

"As far as History - in IB it's called Humanities. It combines Geography and History."

Only in MYP, DP has these individual subjects...

I lived in BKK for a few years and had never heard of it until visiting their website a few months ago.

I was wary of the happy slappy Christian jargon, i.e.:

Biblical Truth: Looking to the Word of God for guidance in everything. Christ-centeredness: Living to honor the Lord Jesus Christ in everything. Love: Reflecting God in giving of self for others’ good.

on the home page so didn't pursue further.

@IAMBORG They are called the Gili Isles, I was there about four years ago. Yes pretty beaches but after Bali I found Lombok too 'Indonesian' :roll:

To give another opinion, I hate Jakarta.

The food is bland and the choice limited, the traffic is bad and prices are not particularly cheap or value for money.

I can not think of one thing that I would recommend about the city.

Beaches? Try Bali...

It's Thailand, you only need one to fit a whole family on!

Count on about 45,000 baht for a new bike.