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The British International School Kuala Lumpur

Feb17
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The British International School Kuala Lumpur is a private, co-educational day school for students from the ages of 2 through 17. The school is a member of the British Schools Group.

image: Erin Silversmith

Facilities
The British School moved to a new purpose-built facility in September 2011. It is located in a suburb northeast of Kuala Lumpur and just a 25-minute drive from the Central Business District. Facilities include modern, well-equipped classrooms, a gym, a pool, science and IT labs, a theatre and music centre, football pitches, a library, and specialist rooms for language and music. A new Secondary Campus is in the works and is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Curriculum
The British School uses an adapted form of the English National Curriculum to meet the needs of its international student population. The school is organized into three departments: Early Years (this includes Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception), Primary (Years 1-6), and Secondary (Years 7-13). Primary School students often engage in cross-curricular study that is topic based – similar to the PYP approach. Students take the Standardized Assessment Tests or the National Curriculum Tests in English, Mathematics and Science at the end of Year 9.

Extracurricular Activities
After School Activities (ASA) are required for all students who generally take two clubs per term. Among the activities offered are football, dance, drama, arts and crafts, board games, computer, tennis, golf, badminton, community service and more.

Technology
IT is integrated throughout the curriculum, and students have ICT classes as an independent subject as well. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards with internet connections.

Professional Development
While the school does mention that it has a PD program, it doesn’t give the specifics anywhere on the website.

Employment
The minimum requirements for teaching candidates for the British School are a university degree, a teaching diploma and experience in other British schools. The school website says that the package is outstanding, but doesn’t tell how outstanding the salaries are. It does mention a few of the benefits if you sort around through the job descriptions. These are relocation allowance, scholarships for children, housing, annual flights home, medical insurance and an optional pension plan. Job openings are listed online with specific details for each position. Interested candidates can send their resume and a cover letter to hr@britishschool.edu.my.

Posted in British international schools, Malaysia - Tagged , , , , , ,

Tanglin Trust School – Singapore

Feb14
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

During my career as an international teacher, I spent most of my time working in mining schools with limited school facilities. Looking at schools like Tanglin Trust School, I wish that I had had a few years teaching in one of these well-resourced schools. The Tanglin Trust School is a private, co-educational day school founded in 1925 that provides educational services for students from the ages of 3 to 18. Tanglin Trust School is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme. There are over 2,650 students at Tanglin Trust School; about 70% of the student population have at least one parent with a British passport. Maximum class size is 24.

image: jeCCo

Mission
The school mission is to provide a British-based international education that values students as individuals and promotes responsibility, enthusiasm and integrity with the goal of developing in TTS students a love of learning and a desire to become responsible global citizens

Facilities
The school campus is centrally located in Singapore and has indivual buildings for the three divisions of students: Infant, Junior and Senior. TTS also has a newly-built Six Form Centre that is part of the Senior School. Among the many impressive facilities are: a six-storey Sports and Performing Arts Complex, 4 libraries, multi-purpose rooms, music rooms, drama studios, ICT suites, science labs, health centres, food service areas, a 25-meter pool, playgrounds, tennis courts, playing fields, playgrounds and much more.

Curriculum
Tanglin Trust School uses a curriculum based on the National Curriculum of England that is adapted for use in an international school. The curriculum is organized into Key Stages. Students at the end of Key Stage 4 get the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE); students at the end of Key Stage 5 end up with the A-Levels or the IB Diploma. The school seems to have a strong arts program based on the space it has on the school website. So, if you are a teacher in the arts, this may be a great school for you. I found it interesting to read that the school does random drug tests on students in the Senior School. This isn’t really related to curriculum, but it does give one something to think about.

Extracurricular Activities
Tanglin Trust School has a full range of what they call co-curricular activities (CCAs). These include chess, newsletter production, cooking, arts and crafts, rugby, basketball, rock climbing, gamelan, orchestra, netball, rock band, jazz band drama, community projects and much more. The school has a competitive athletic program for Junior and Senior students. Sports include football, T.Ball, swimming, badminton, basketball, tennis, cricket, netball, and more.

Technology
There is almost nothing on the generally excellent school website about their technology program.

Professional Development
The school’s PD program is called Continuous Professional Development. PD activities include job-a-like workshops, on-site activities, working with other schools, conferences, courses given by the IB and the Institute of Education, peer observation and online learning.

Employment
The school has 185 teachers. There is a staff reflections page which I always find interesting (on the rare websites that have them) because you get a chance to see what a few teachers will pick as the highlights of their teaching and living experience in a school. For instance, one of the teachers on the TTS site, mentions the excellent opportunities for professional development and for an outstanding lifestyle. That right there, makes me interested in working at this school. More schools should have teacher reflection sections.

That being said, there is no information on salaries and benefits, and the information on teaching candidate qualifications is extremely thin. These should be improved. What I did glean from the site is that teachers must have at least two years’ experience using the British curriculum. Specific requirements for individual positions are listed on the school website. Interested teachers should send the school a letter of application that rives evidence of recent experience along with a CV, a passport-sized photo and contact details for three professional referees. These can be send to the school at tanglin@kingpartnership.co.uk. Job openings are listed online.

Posted in asia, British international schools, expat employment, IB World Schools, Singapore - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Australian International School – Singapore

Jan16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by admin

The Australian International School in Singapore is an independent, co-educational day school for students from Preschool through Grade 12. AIS was established in 1993. It is an IB World School with authorization to use all three IB programmes. There are over 2500 students that represent more than 40 nationalities studying at AIS; Australians account for about 66% of the student body. The maximum class size for students in Prep through Year 2 is 22. For students in Years 3-12, the maximum is 25.

Facilities
AIS has state-of-the-art facilities. It is located in Lorong Chuan in Singapore. The school has three main buildings on its campus: the Primary School building, the Middle/Senior School building and the Preschool building. Facilities include a 350-seat theatre, 2 libraries, a technology centre, music rooms, science labs, art rooms, ICT labs, a swimming pool, playgrounds, 2 tennis courts, a netball court, an indoor gym, a multi-purpose hall, a canteen and modern air-conditioned classrooms. Take the virtual tour of the school to get an idea of its very attractive campus.

image: Bjorn Christian Torrissen

Curriculum
AIS is an IB World School. Primary students use the PYP, Middle School and Senior School students use the MYP and students in the final two years of Senior School have a choice of following either the IB Diploma Programme or the New South Wales Board of Studies Higher School Certificate. The school has an EAL program and notes that their program is accessible to students who do not speak English as their first language.

Extracurricular Activities
The school offers a wide variety of activities including Model United Nations, sports, arts, debate, music, theatre, ceramics, community service and more. Competitive sports begins with Year 3 students. AIS is a member of the Athletics Conference of Singapore International Schools.

Technology
Students in Years 10 and 11 have a 1:1 laptop program. The school plans to develop this program down through the Middle School in the near future. There are technology centres for each section of the school; many rooms have interactive whiteboards. Lap top trollies are also available for classes to use when needed. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. AIS has an excellent page on Digital Learning on their website.

Professional Development
Teachers are provided with personal laptops and are offered professional development on how to to use them in supporting and delivering the schools curriculum. As with all IB World Schools, AIS provides PD activities centered around the IB programmes.

Employment
The school has more than 200 teachers that come from Australia, the United States, Canada, South Africa and Great Britain. Initial contracts are three years. The average tenure at AIS is 5.8 years. AIS wants teachers that are committed to lifelong learning and have a passion to share that with their students. Teachers also need to have a four year degree. For specific information on the selection criteria see the school document for prospective teachers.

No information is given regarding salaries, but a few of the benefits are mentioned including an annual bonus, rent assistance, medical insurance, a relocation allowance, annual home leave flights and low taxes.

Job openings are listed on the school website and with Search Associates. An application form is available online. Applications should include the form that is available online, a recent photograph, a summary of experience and qualifications, a response to the selection criteria for the specific position that is being sought and the names and contact details of three referees.

Posted in australian international schools, expat employment, IB World Schools, international school 1-to-1 laptop programs, international schools, international teaching positions, Singapore - Tagged , , , , , , ,

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, indonesia, international schools, international teaching positions, schools with teacher benefits listed - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Chiang Mai International School

Nov26
2011 Leave a Comment Written by admin

I don’t have many entries for schools that are Christian-based. There are, I imagine, quite a few around the world; I just haven’t come across many of them in my research on international schools. So, here’s one in Thailand.

Chiang Mai International School is a Christian-based co-educational day school for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. CMIS is affiliated with the Church of Christ in Thailand and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The school was founded in 1958 as a school for the children of missionaries; while it still gives those children first priority, it accepts students from other cultures and religions. CMIS students represent over 30 nationalities.

Mission
The school mission is to provide an excellent international education within the context of Christian values and a Christian worldview.

Facilities
CMIS is located close to downtown Chiang Mai. The campus has air-conditioned classrooms, a Kindergarten/Elementary School building and a Middle School/High School building, a library, computer labs, science labs, an auditorium, a gym, a cafeteria, basketball courts and a sports field.

Curriculum
CMIS uses an American standards-based curriculum that is delivered within the context of a Christian worldview. Kindergarten is a full-day program. Elementary School runs from Grade 1 through Grade 6; Middle School is Grade 7 and Grade 8. Core classes are English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Grade 3 and Grade 5 take the International Schools Assessment annually; the PSAT and the SAT are offered to High School students. CMIS offers Advanced Placement classes for High School students.

Extracurricular Activities
CMIS has an after school program that includes sports: school teams compete in the Chiang Mai Athletic Conference. Among the sports available are badminton, basketball, futsal, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

Technology
Computer classes are taught as part of the regular curriculum.

Professional Development
CMIS provides professional development opportunities.

Employment
The school looks for teachers who are credentialed, have a degree in education or a relevant subject from a western college, have international experience and have experience working with after school activities.

CMIS expects teachers to be professional in behavior and appearance, have strong Christian values, respect all cultures and beliefs, are collaborative workers, are willing to commit to a two-year contract, can develop good relationships with students and are willing to sponsor after school activities.

Teachers who want to work at CMIS should send an e-mail to the school that includes a letter of interest; a completed online application form; copies of a passport, certification and university transcripts; and a CV. The school prefers in-person interviews, but does telephone and Skype interviews when necessary. Teaching candidates also needs to provide letters of reference, a criminal background check and verification of all documents. Job openings are listed on the school website.

Salaries are around $1,600 per month. Benefits include free tuition for dependents and more although the CMIS website doesn’t list them but does say they are modest.

Posted in Christian schools, international schools, international teaching positions, thailand - Tagged , , , , , ,
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