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British International School Jakarta

Jan13
2012 2 Comments Written by admin

The British International School Jakarta is an independent, co-educational day school for students from ages 3-18. BIS was established in 1973. It is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme. There are over 1,300 students that represent 40 nationalities at BIS; about one-third of the students are from the UK, Australia or New Zealand.

Mission
The school mission is to provide a British-style education that recognizes students as individuals, encourages an international awareness, gives students a strong academic foundation, and leads them to become responsible global citizens.

image: veritas2233

Facilities
BIS has a beautifully-designed building that is located in south-west Jakarta. The 18-hectare campus facilities include sports halls, libraries, a state-of-the-art theatre, music rooms, foreign language labs, an Olympic-size pool, playing fields, tennis courts, cafeterias, computer labs, science labs and well-equipped classrooms.

Curriculum
The school uses the English National Curriculum for students from Key Stages Foundation through Key Stage 3; Key Stage 4 uses the IBCSE and Key Stage 5 uses the IB Diploma Programme. For a more in depth look at the curriculum, take a look at the school’s discussion of the secondary curriculum on their website.

Extracurricular Activities
As would be expected for such a large school, BIS offers a wide range of activities that include community service, art, ballet, badminton, drama, swimming, tennis, debate, Model United Nations and much more. Activities take place at lunch time, after school and on the weekends. The school athletic teams compete with other international schools in the area.

Technology
All classrooms have LCD projectors, interactive whiteboards and computers. The three ITC labs have 24 PCs each, and there is a special Mac lab for use with multi-media projects. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum as well as being taught as a discrete class.

Professional Development
BIS actively supports the IB program and teachers with professional development activities.

Employment
BIS hires teachers who have a minimum of two years experience with the English National Curriculum, IGCE, GCSE and the IB. Teachers are also expected to play an active role in the co-curricular programs. The school does hire teachers with other backgrounds if they can fit in with the BIS system. Other qualifications include a degree that is relevant to the subject being sought.

While the salary schedule is not published, a few example salaries are. A teacher with six years experience would make around $48,000. Salaries are tax-free and paid in US dollars. Among the benefits are free housing, paid utilities (when they are “reasonable”), a 25% severance/gratuity bonus at the end of the contract), an allowance for domestic staff and driver, medical insurance, free tuition for two children, free local calls, a transport allowance, an interest-free car loan, a freight allowance and an annual flight home. A recruiting video is available online.

Openings are listed online. Teachers can complete an application form that is online. They should also attach a cover letter and a CV to the form.

About Jakarta
Jakarta is one of the major cities in the world. The capital of Indonesia, the city has a population of around 10 million which makes it the 10th largest city in the world. Jakarta is hot and congested with traffic problems that make Bangkok look good. That said, the city is full of excitement, culture, history and fun. Jakarta has an intense night scene that ranges from the upscale clubs favored by the wealthy locals and expats to the more funky Blok M. The city is full of shiny massive malls, and it’s easy to buy just about anything that you would want, although the prices for imported items can be quite high, especially alcohol. Jakarta is an acquired taste. I know folks that love living there and others that get out of the city every chance that they get. Bali is only a 90 minute flight away for those teachers who want to find some peace and tranquility.

Posted in British international schools, expat employment, IB World Schools, international schools, international teaching positions, schools with teacher benefits listed, southeast asia - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Mt. Zaagkam International School

Jul18
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Mt. Zaagkam International School has gone through several changes since it was founded in the 1972. I spent nine years working at both of the campuses from 1989 to 1998. MZIS is a PreK-8 mining company school that provides educational services for the children of the employees of Pt. Freeport Indonesia. The school has two campuses: the original Tembagapura campus, and the Kuala Kencana campus. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is authorized to use the PYP.

The school has 135 students; most are from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The school has 16 international teachers that are predominately from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Mission
The school mission is to give students the opportunity to reach their academic, social and personal potential and become a responsible global citizen.

Facilities
The Tembagapura campus is located at an elevation of 6,500 feet in the highlands of Papua, Indonesia. The school facilities include classrooms, a computer lab, a science lab, sports fields that are shared with the community, a music room, and more. The Kuala Kencana campus in the lowlands is a purpose-built facility with a science lab, a computer lab, sports fields, a gym, classrooms, a snack counter, and a multi-purpose room.

Curriculum
The school uses an international curriculum that draws from the best curricula available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The PYP is used with students in the elementary grades. The Middle School uses an international fusion curriculum that, while emphasizing inquiry, teaches core classes as stand alone subjects so that students are ready for high school when they leave the school. The school has multi-age classes due to the small size of the student population. MZIS gives the International School Assessments to students in Grade 3 to Grade 8.

Extracurricular Activities
The school offers a variety of activities. Outdoor activities on the Tembagapura campus are somewhat limited due to the usual rain and chilly weather in the afternoon. Among the activities offered are swimming, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, computer club and more.

Technology
The school has limited wireless internet access. Computer classes are taught as a separate subject and integrated throughout the curriculum.

tembagapura, indonesia

image: bruce pohlmann

Professional Development
Teachers are expected to be committed to professional development. The school is a member of EARCOS and teachers can attend the annual conferences. As with all IB schools, there is a lot of PD activity around the PYP.

Employment
When I worked at the school, ISS ran the school and did the hiring. The school is now part of the mining company and hiring is multi-tiered now. Recruitment starts in November; MZIS teachers need to inform the school of their intention to leave by December 15, so that is when a firm job offer can be made to candidates. The school registers with Search and the International Educator and occasionally attends recruitment fairs, but usually holds interviews via Skype, phone interviews or in-person interviews depending on the situation. Once a candidate is offered a position by the school, they need to go through the process of being approved by the Freeport Human Relations Department. Once HRD approves a candidate, the Freeport head office needs to sign off on the hiring. The candidates also need to pass a Freeport physical that can be quite rigorous. Once all this is completed, the candidate is then officially offered a position along with salary and benefits. The Superintendent of the school can discuss salaries and benefits, but only HRD can make a real offer. The school does not list vacancies on the website. Interested teachers can find out about openings by contacting the Superintendent at Jeffrey_Latham@fmi.com.

The website has a Working at MZIS page that discusses some of the factors involved in working and living in Papua. As they note, this is one of the most remote schools in the world. Interested candidates need to look at this page. This place is not for everyone, especially Tembagapura. I loved living there, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.

The school is looking for teachers that have high expectations of their students, are team players, are adaptable, have a high frustration level, are experienced with PYP, have a positive attitude and a strong sense of humor and can deal with living in a fishbowl type environment. At this school, you never get to escape being a teacher, so in a sense you are always on duty. All this being said, the experience can be incredibly rewarding and, at least in the past, financially lucrative.

Teaching candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, at least three years of experience, teacher certification, evidence of university level courses in education and excellent health. The school prefers teaching couples; it does not hire couples where one spouse does not teach.

If you have gotten this far and are still interested, you can send your documents to the Superintendent at the address above. Documents include a cover letter, a CV, three references with contact details, a recent photo and contact information including email and Skype.

About Tembagapura and Kuala Kencana
It rains. It rains. It rains. If you don’t like rain, don’t even think of applying for a job here. It rains in Tembagapura and it gets quite chilly in the evenings. It rains in Kuala Kencana and is hot and humid. Living in Tembagapura can bring you in contact with some of the most fascinating cultures in the world, but these days there are security issues that need to be seriously considered. There is a limited amount to do in Tembagapura; in the past people did a lot of social drinking, I’m not sure what they do now. There is a small shopping center, a pool, and the club.

Kuala Kencana has a world class golf course, a club, a shopping center, access to several hotels with limited recreational facilities, a nice pool, and easy access to the airport when you want to get out on vacations.

Posted in asia, IB World Schools, international schools, international teaching positions, southeast asia - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Bandung International School

Apr29
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Bandung International School is located in the lovely town of Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The school has 180 contact days per year and runs a 36-week school year.
BIS is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian school that was founded in 1972. BIS provides educational services for students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. It is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. BIS is an IB World School to offer the PYP and the IB Diploma. BIS has 240 students that represent 24 nationalities.

Mission
The mission of BIS is to challenge, inspire and engage students so that they develop the skills and courage necessary to become responsible global citizens.

Facilities
The school has a library, a computer lab, a science lab, an EC playground, a sports field, a gym, a swimming pool, air-conditioned classrooms and a canteen.

Curriculum
The school has an international curriculum and offers the PYP for primary students and the IB Diploma for students in Grade 11 and Grade 12. Learning through inquiry is the practice here as it is in all PYP schools. The Middle School covers the traditional years of Grades 6-8. The core curriculum includes the Humanities, Science and Math. Exploratory subjects include Foreign Language, Indonesian Language and Culture, Computers, Fine and Performing Arts and PE. The High School program emphasizes critical thinking and applying knowledge to new situations. High school students are given the opportunity to develop a sense of global awareness. The curriculum is college prep and the school web site uses much of the usual IBO jargon of challenging students to be responsible citizens of the world who are able to “…think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively and learn enthusiastically.” The core curriculum centers on math, English, social studies, science and foreign languages. Additionally there are a variety of electives in Computer Technology, PE, Home Language Studies, Applied Arts and Fine Arts. Graduates of BIS are awarded a diploma which is recognized by Council of International Schools and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The High School also offers Advanced Placement courses that are needed by students who wish to study in the United States and get a few college credits before they start in university.

Extra-curricular Activities
BIS offers a wide range of after school activities that include swimming, football, basketball, drama, art, dance, choir, Student Council and more. The school is a member of the Indonesian International Small Schools Activity Conference and participates in a variety of competitive sports like soccer, basketball and swimming.

Professional Development
This school, like all IB World Schools, emphasizes teacher training and professional development.

Employment
Teachers at BIS are expected to have high teaching standards, be committed to the school’s mission and vision, be familiar with techniques to include English Language Learners in the mainstream of the classroom, have a committment to using Learning and Communication Technologies, and be ready to engage in a lot of professional development. The school website does not list benefits or salary, but notes that they are competitive. In this area of the world for a relatively small school that most likely means that salaries are relatively modest by international standards around Asia. In other words, you won’t get rich here, but with a low cost of living, it should be possible to save some money as well as travel around the country for some pleasant vacations. Openings are posted on the school website as well as being listed in TIE Online and with Search. Teachers interested in working at BIS can send a CV, a letter of application and references to the head of school.

Posted in asia, expat employment, international schools, international teaching positions, southeast asia - Tagged , , , , , ,

Canggu Community School

Apr23
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Canggu Community School in Bali is a non-profit private school serving both the international and local communities in the South Bali area and uses the British National Curriculum and employs certified foreign teachers. CCS was established in 2001. There are over 300 students enrolled at the school in grades Pre-school to Year 8. CCS has a secure, purpose-built facility on a hectare of land. This school is located out in the boondocks of Canggu, and if you are living in the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak area, it will take 15-30 minutes to get to school depending on the traffic. CCS has set a maximum limit of 20 students in Early Years classes, 22 students in Key Stage 1 and 24 students in Key Stage 2 and above. This is a fairly large classroom size for international schools. Generally schools limit classroom size to 18 if at all possible.

CCS is not one of the cheapest schools in Bali. The cost for a Pre-school student is $4,200 per year; $5,900 per year for students in Stage 1; and $6,250 for students in Stage 2; $7,600 – $7,800 in Key Stage 3 and $8,800 for the most senior students. They have really increased their fees over the past four years. In addition to the tuition, there is an annual building fee that of $550 at the most. New students pay a one-time registration fee of $700 for the first student and $550 for each additional student. The school website has an excellent Pupil-Parent Handbook in pdf format. If you are interested in this school either for your child or as a possible place of employment, I suggest that you download it.

Mission
The school’s mission is to provide an affordable, quality education based on the National Curriculum of England and the Cambridge IGSCE that allows students the opportunities necessary to develop their potentials and prepare them for further study or employment in any country.

Facilities
CCS is a purpose-built facility with air-conditioned classrooms, a science lab, an ICT room, a music room, an adventure playground, a multi-function hall, a kitchen, and an Early Years outdoor learning area. The school has an arrangement with the Canggu Club to use their sports field and swimming pools.

Curriculum
The school has an organizational model based on schools in England. Early Years are the pre-school and Kindergarten students, Key Stage 1 equals Years 1 and 2, Key Stage 2 equals Years 3, 4, 5, 6; Key Stage 3 equals Years 7, 8, 9; Key Stage 4 equals Years 10 and 11. The school may add one more stage in the future. The curriculum is documented in detail in the school handbook. Students in Year 11 take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education exams from Cambridge International Examinations.

Extra-curricular Activities
CCS offers a wide range of after school activities that change each term. A fee is charged for most activities. Among the activities are art, chess, badminton, karate, instrumental lessons, Islamic Studies, Dutch, Japanese, knitting, gymnastics, basketball, dance and more.
Employment

Technology
The school has an ICT lab. The science lab, some classrooms and the ICT room have interactive whiteboards. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is taught as a separate subject to all students.

Employment
CCS doesn’t have all the information for teachers that they used to have on their old website. They do have job openings listed online, but no information on salaries, benefits or teacher responsibilities. The school is looking for teachers who are trained, motivated and team players. They hire teaching couples as well as recent graduates. Candidates should send a letter of application and a CV to hr @ ccsbali.com

Posted in asia, Bali, international schools, international teaching positions, southeast asia - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Jakarta International School

Apr17
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

Jakarta International School is one of those giant schools in international education with a reputation for excellence. JIS is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The school was founded in 1951 and serves over 2,400 students from more than 60 countries in grades Pre-K to 12. JIS is accredited by WASC and CIS. This is one of the top international schools in Asia. It has a strong reputation for excellence and the salaries and benefits place it in the top tier of international schools.

Facilities
JIS occupies three campuses: Pattimura Elementary, Pondok Indah Elementary, and Cilandak for the Middle School and High School. All campuses have extensive facilities including pools, gymnasiums, science laboratories, computer labs, libraries, air-conditioned classrooms, wireless Internet access, performing arts theaters, and more.

Curriculum
JIS uses an international curriculum with instruction in English. The school is organized in the traditional US style with three divisions: elementary, middle and high schools. Class sizes run from 12-20. High school students can take the IB diploma program or AP courses.

Extra-curricular Activities
JIS offers a wide range of after school activities for students from Pre-K through Grade 12. These activities include dance, art, drama, athletics, and music.

Technology
JIS has an excellent technology program. They use an integrated approach to the use of technology. The school has computer labs, mobile carts and wireless Internet access. The Middle School and High School have a 1:1 Macbook program.

Professional Development
JIS has an extensive professional development program. Before applying to JIS make sure you check out their PD page.

Employment
JIS attends the major recruitment fairs. Personal interviews are necessary for employment. Job openings are posted on the school website beginning in October each year.

Candidates may apply to the school by email. Send a resume, statement of educational philosophy, and the names and contact details of three former supervisors to Joseph A. Cornacchio at jcornacchio@jisedu.or.id. The ideal candidate will have at least two years experience, be certified, be willing to sponsor after school activities, be a life-long learner, be a practitioner of differentiated instruction, be a promoter of ESL in the mainstream, and be familiar with the Understanding by Design model and the Rubicon ATLAS Curriculum System. Initial salaries are tax-free and run from USD $40,865 to $56,165. Benefits include: furnished housing with utilities, retirement fund up to 12.5% of the annual salary, medical and life insurance, disability, an interest-free car loan, settling-in allowance, home leave, annual wellness exam, dental allowance, compassionate leave allowance, professional development allowance and free tuition for dependents.

About Jakarta
Jakarta is one of the major cities in the world. The capital of Indonesia, the city has a population of around 10 million which makes it the 10th largest city in the world. Jakarta is hot and congested with traffic problems that make Bangkok look good. That said, the city is full of excitement, culture, history and fun. Jakarta has an intense nightscene that ranges from the upscale clubs favored by the wealthy locals and expats to the more funky Blok M. The city is full of shiny massive malls, and it’s easy to buy just about anything that you would want, although the prices for imported items can be quite high, especially alcohol. Jakarta is an acquired taste. I know folks that love living there and others that get out of the city every chance that they get. Bali is only a 90 minute flight away for those teachers who want to find some peace and tranquility.

Posted in expat employment, international schools, international teaching positions, southeast asia - Tagged , , , , , , ,
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