Exciting News

The end of school year is drawing near.  In fact, Mr John finished all his exams and marking a couple of weeks ago.  This week he is invigilating for other exams and the students last day is Friday.  He still, along with the other teachers, has to work March and this time is used for preparation for next year.  The school he has been teaching English in is a secondary (or High) School even though he has qualified as a primary teacher.

His time at this school has not been as joyful as his old school.   The teachers are not as inclusive and there is little communication - which usually comes in the form of a letter left on the desk.  Mr John would have remained at the old school however they were using an agency and he was looking to be paid direct (you generally get more money because the agency aren't taking their cut).  The current school has been really helpful for us though, with having the old house for us to move into and become more familiar with the town.  We have found the location to be perfect for us as it's a bit of a village atmosphere and we can walk to the Old Town for a drink (Mr John, quite rightly refuses to drink and ride).

So, he has been looking around for another school and has been in the fortunate position of having a few job offers (including the old school which is now going direct).  He has, however, chosen a Primary School which is an extra three minute walk from the current school.  He will be teaching all the usual primary subjects - Maths, English, Science, Health, Social Studies and Art - but in the English Program run by the school.  He's chosen this school because of the classroom facilities, the friendliness of the staff (we also know teachers who are already there) and the fact that this is what he trained for.

I'm so proud of him and he's really excited - already planning things to do and what displays to put up on the classroom walls.  He also gets a Thai assistant in this role and a moderate pay rise.  He's pleased to have an assistant (in his current role he's been left to his own devices) which will be a help on a lot of fronts. 

From a personal point of view, I'm also glad it is so close to where we live.  During "the wet", the rain can be quite torrential and at least with this school, he could walk if he wanted to so I wouldn't have to worry about him on the road.   Now all I have to get through is the six weeks of him being on holiday.  For various reasons we've never been at home together for such a long time - I just know he's going to interfere with my routines (and maybe find out that it only takes 10 minutes to tidy the house).  Oh dear.....