Written by : Tracy Cornelius, ex - Head of Key Stage One

I was very sorry to leave the school and Penang as I have had a tremendous time and the job has given me great satisfaction, challenge and enjoyment.  

I came here as a member of the Middle Management Team (as a co-coordinator of the Assessment, Recording and Reporting) but after a year of contract was promoted to Head of Key Stage 1.  The school is always keen to give its staff opportunities for professional and career development.

I am a single woman and have lived in a great apartment on my own out here.  I have never felt that being single, or female, has been difficult here and the island is very safe and welcoming.  Penang is a fascinating place with so many different nationalities and religious living in total harmony.  There are numerous festivals and events to see.  I have found that there are fantastic travel opportunities over here.  There has not been a single holiday period in my 3 years here when I have not been somewhere!

I have been able to explore this side of the world at very low cost and seen places I would never have been able to when based in the  UK.  There are lots of great destinations very close to Penang such as Langkawi, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and gorgeous tropical islands on the east coast of Malaysia.  One of my memorable adventures was to Vietnam.  Another female teacher and I traveled from the north of the country to the south (on public transport!).  It is a wonderful country with great scenery, people san jungle adventures!  

Sarawak and Sabah (Borneo) are also high on the list of great places to visit with white water rafting, jungle trekking and orang utan spotting.

I have even been able to visit the land Down Under twice,  travelling from Sydney to Cairns turned out to be a holiday of a lifetime with horse riding in the bush, sky diving over the beaches, swimming with dolphins, diving on the Great Barrier Reef, sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, and 4-wheel driving on Fraser Island!  Who could ask for more?!  On a different occasion I travelled to Perth for some kangaroos watching,. sand dune boarding and humpback whale watching!

Final destination on my way home to the UK is hoped to be China and Hong Kong....

Our first impression of the school, when we came to visit was very favourable.  Our short induction to the school, before our contract started, put our minds at rest.  We were made very welcome and we felt after our 7-day visit that St Christopher's and Penang were the place for us.

When we moved in September from Africa, everything had been put in place for us.  The house was ready and there was even food in the fridge!  The office staff never left our side and helped with our banking, work permits etc.  We always had someone to turn to if we ever had a query.

Teaching in St Christopher's is enjoyable as we are fortunate to have well behaved motivated students and supportive parents.  I team teach with 3 other Year 1 teacher and I have never worked with a more flexible friendly group of professionals.

On a personal note, Karl and I will be returning to the UK with 2 extra members to our family.  Our daughter was born here 18 months ago and our next child is due in March 2002.

Penang is a wonderful place to raise a family, the climate is humid but healthy and it is very easy to find 1st class child care.

Financially we have been able to save money whilst working in St Christopher's.  Personally Karl and I save our salary each month, which we send home easily through telebanking.

I would sincerely recommend any teacher to join the staff of St Christopher's International Primary School, Penang.

Written by : Rachel Perkins, ex Year 1 & Arts Co-ordinator

Written by : Karl Perkins, ex Year 5 & Resources Co-ordinator

When we arrived in Penang from Africa we were in shock; shops; malls; roads; traffic... it took some getting used to.  

Penang is very 1st World but the cultural differences set it apart from places in the UK, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thai and Burmese influence, make it one of the most interesting places we've been to. The beaches look good and if you're prepared to trek through the jungle you can find pristine sand dotted with turtle nests.  

The school has been easy to fit into, mostly following the national Curriculum, very much like an English or Welsh Primary School but with a huge range of nationalities and many ESL children.

Both our children will have been born here, reflecting the world class medical care available.  All in all - Penang is a wonderful place and we've had some great times here.

After two years as PSHE and RE co-ordinator, I was appointed Head of Key Stage Two, after 3 in this role I returned to the UK, only to come back 2 years later as Deputy Principal.  During my time here, I have seen several promotions involving Middle and Senior Management posts and all have been hugely beneficial to both the school and to the staff concerned. 

St Christopher's is a school where hard work is recognised and rewarded with opportunities for career advancement.  If you have ambition, if you enjoy what you do and want to learn how to do it even better, then SCS could be just what you're looking for.

Written By: Sue Houghton, Deputy Principal