I actually do work

Hello,
Believe it or not, even though the blog might give you a different impression, I do spend the majority of my time here in Hong Kong going to work at the Christian Alliance International School.  As with any new job there has been challenges figuring out school protocol, organizing and planning classes, deadlines, getting to know the kids, establishing routines, etc etc.  Yet slowly things are starting to settle and time, like in any school year, moves along quite briskly. For the first time in a long while I am teaching straight physical education.  I even have a title:  Physical Education Director.  Not only do I teach full time PE, but I also am to promote it, run school wide sportdays, get equipment, and make sure the other PE teachers are aware of what the Alberta PE curriculum expects.  I also do some coaching.  It is a pretty busy job, but CAIS has given me quite a few prep periods so for the most part I can manage most of my duties during a regular school day without going overtime.  Pretty good.  CAIS runs on a six day cycle.

On days one, three, and five I start out my day with the grade 10's, followed by two kindergarten classes, then grade 7, a decent break, followed by two more kindergarten classes and ending with PE20 grade which is made of grade 11,12 students.  What is the difference between kindergarten and PE 20 classes you ask?  Besides an obvious size difference, not much. Everyone needs to be managed and inspired somehow.  On days two, four, six, I run a grade 9 class,  nice break, grade 7, grade 2,  then two grade one classes.  The grade 2 and grade 1 classes are at another campus, due to the fact that the main campus is filled to capacity.  Except for the grade 2 class, which has way too many difficult kids, the rest are relatively easy and fun.  As far as facilities go CAIS is not that great.  It is all outside, which can be difficult when it is hot or the air pollution is bad or when it rains.  When it rains we have to go into the dining hall, move the tables and play floorhockey or other games.  Not great.  Yet, we manage and the kids, like all kids, love PE and we have fun.

The staff at CAIS is interesting.  A wide spectrum of Christian views, fundamental to more liberal are represented.  Yet, the morning devotions and prayer times that we have with each other at 7:40 am every day! are always good and gets us in the right frame of mind.
Classes start at 8:10 and go to 3:40.  It is a long day, but we get a little fall break at the end of October, Christmas 2 weeks, Chinese New Years 10 days, end of January, Easter 10 days, plus a week off for discovery days where the kids from the higher grades and teachers travel to different parts of the world.  Some are going to Africa and Russia.  I am staying here cause some kids can't afford or want to go any where and am offering a Discover Hong Kong Sports week.  I'll be taking kids biking, windsurfing, body boarding, and on a survival course on a little island nearby.  Not bad.

In a few years CAIS will be moving to a brand new multimillion dollar campus which will include three inside gyms, a swimming pool, theatre, soccer pitch, etc etc.  Right now the population at the school is @500 kids, the new place will accomodate 1500.  Who is paying for this you ask.  The school board is run by a billionaire who is very supportive of CAIS.  I'm booked here for two years and so we will see, if they want to keep me,  I may be in for a tough decision.  But till then I will keep pressing forward, grateful for the job I have and trying to enjoy every moment in this strange, but interesting place.

Finally, I went for another bike hike up to Kowloon Hills and came across some wild monkeys.  I also got some great views.

Till next time.

Dirk