First week at school

Apologies for the massive gap since the last post. HK is incredibly procedural and it has taken a while to get wifi etc. set up in the flat.

Got my tv sorted though so I can still watch the GP this evening 😃.

Onto more important things: the first week in school. I have never worked anywhere so organised, efficient and relaxed. Even if you have no idea what is going on, people appear and get you sorted. There is no staff dresscode, the head wears chinos and a polo shirt, his belief is that we are all individuals and why should we be squeezed into a pointless mould that can lead to conflict. The pupils only have a uniform because ESF say they have to (and we are not allowed to tell them how to wear it, ties are definitely missing here). No makeup, nail varnish or hair colour rules either. No bells at Island to signify the beginning and end of lessons; the pupils arrive on time of their own volition and don't leave until you say they can. Do you know what, none of that missing fluff leads to disrespect or bad attitude from the kids.

The pupils are motivated, silent when you speak, do not interrupt or call over one another, get on with tasks independently, recognise that their education is their responsibility (not the teachers) and if they fail the only person they can blame is themselves. I told them I would be away on Friday this week and THEY told me what the cover work would be because they had looked ahead.

We operate a three strike policy that leads to a head of faculty intervention but we don't have detention we have a support session that your tutor tells you you have to attend using the phrase "this thursday you must attend science support as your attitude to work/homework is unacceptable and you will fail if you continue to behave in this way" according to the pupils the shame of this summoning is enough to prevent pupils doing it again.

And every child thanks you for your time as they leave the room.

It is easier to teach amazing outstanding lessons here because there is no fire fighting. You can do everything you intended to do. Why would anyone go into teaching in the UK anymore? Where on earth did the UK go so wrong - we were in charge here until 1997. What happened in those 17 years?

In short my new school is awesome and although I miss the many wonderful children at Kennet, I can't help but feel that the attitude in the UK is doing them a disservice and they would achieve much more here. And that isn't UK teachers fault; it is what the government has caused to become societies values fault.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, but this was more of a heartbroken UK teacher saying it how it is.

Flat hunting in HK

Flat hunting is draining and you spend a lot of time looking at things you think "not a chance I'm living in that"

Saw a few nice flats but they were a little overpriced compared to some others I had seen.

One flat had a massive balcony and lovely views (which are both expensive in HK) but it fell into my budget as it was in the oldest residential flat I've ever seen. The lift still had pull doors and a metal mesh to pull across. Scared the life out of me.

Saw one awesome flat on the inside but wasn't so sure about the entrance to the building. The area seemed pretty reasonable though so I'm going to mull that one over for a little while. I can imagine living in it which is a good thing but still the entrance just made it seem a bit abandoned, unlike the flat which has been completely refurbished. Have put in an offer for the rent on it so we will see what happens tomorrow and then mull it some more.

Let's see what my agent can negotiate for me.

First day

So I have survived the first day.

I apologise there won't be many pictures today as information overload and jet lag are evil creatures so didn't really have time to think about pointing the camera at things. Will try to make up for it later.

The flight out was fine and fortunately a few of the other new teachers arrived at the same time so was good to get a chance to meet some people and chat about different experiences so far.

My school left me a welcome pack at the hotel I'm staying in which was an awesome surprise too.

We spent the day in the HR centre doing INDUCTION. Better known as "we'll tell you everything now in one big flow and you don't have a chance of remembering it, but we've printed it all out anyway"

However, they did organise the opportunity toget all the logistical things like bank account, mobile phone etc. sorted today. Most things seem simple but the tax looks like hell. Not sure I'm looking forward to filling in the tax return form next year; might be a bit of a debacle especially as it will have to cover two years.......

Mobile phone contracts out here are so reasonable compared to the UK. I'm getting the same deal but for 20 pounds a month less. Very excited about that.

 Managed to meet up with nearly everyone who is starting new at my school to. I'm not the only one who is an international newbie so feeling reassured.

After our induction at the ESF HR centre we got to visit the school. It is up a blooming great hill and is basically built into the mountainside. It is not a very wide site but goes up and down forever. Nothing at all like Kennet in building but definitely very similar to Kennet in House System. It appears I am the only newbie that has had a proper House experience so I'm grateful that that will be very familiar to me. Everyone was very organised and friendly they have taken all my shipping in and given me a laptop already.

Feeling excited at the moment but I'm sure the house searching tomorrow will remove all the current buzz and leave me with a distinct sense of dread.