Anthony Baron, Director of Luanda International School in Angloa. Welcome to the hot seat… Let’s start with a few basic facts for the readers..

1. Official Name : Republique of Angola
2. Religion : Generally there are 1000 Christian religions
3. Location : West Coast of Africa, think South Africa then above you have Namibia about that you have Angola
4. Culture : A lot of Portuguese influence since they have were around for 400 years
5. Climate  16 °C in the winter and 21 °C in the summer. It has two seasons; dry season (May to October) and hot rainy season (November to April).
6. Economy
7. Official Language : Portuguese
8. Size – Twice the size of Texas
9. Population : 18 million
10. Economy : 60% made up of exporting diamonds and the rest is driven by oil

For more information – go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angola

Luanda International School

LIS is a private coeducational day school, which offers an English language educational programme for students from age 3 to 18 predominantly to the international community in Luanda.  Founded in 1996 LIS  is an IB School offering the Primary, Middle Years and Diploma programmes and is fully accredited with the  CAISA, NEASC and CIS.

In September 2003, LIS located in a new, purpose built campus in Luanda Sul, about 20 km south of the city of Luanda. Today we have a beautiful new campus, and a preschool for three years olds up to high school offering the three IB programmes to over 600 students of 50 nationalities. For more details please go to http://www.lisluanda.com/ 

Are you looking for any teachers this year and beyond and how do they apply?

Yes the school is on a growth path from our current 600 students to approx 800 over the next three years.  Vacancies are always published on our own (www.lisluanda.com) and the Search Associates website.  Applications can be sent directly to me lisdirector@lisluanda.com and should include a full c.v. and a letter of application.

Life in Angola…

What’s it like living in Angola?

Angola is certainly a country on the move and nowhere is that more evident than in its capital city of four million in-habitants, Luanda. Roads are being widened, new businesses are springing up and buildings are under construction. Luanda is a typical city in a rapidly expanding developing country – crowded, busy, and eager to demonstrate progress and also struggling to deal with modernization while also attempting to preserve its heritage. Gleaming new of-fice buildings, many of them connected to the oil industry, Angola’s major export com-modity, contrast with garbage -filled slum districts near to the city centre. Luanda con-tinues to recover from a long civil war and deal with issues such as large numbers of displaced persons and un-employment, but the infrastructure is improving rapidly and restaurants, cafes and supermarkets are evident throughout the city.

The largest shopping centre complex in Angola is within walking distance of the school. (see http:// www.belasshopping.com). The cost of living is equiva-lent to Europe (high-end) but the range of consumer goods is surprising. Nearby Mussulo Island offers clean tropical beaches and water sports and excellent surfing can be found nearby; Benfica Market (not far from the school) has handicrafts and souvenirs; the Ilha de Luanda has seaside dining and bars. Kissama National Park is a 2 hour drive from the school and offers animal and bird watching. The Angola country-side which is becoming increasingly accessible is of-ten spectacular.

What kind of accommodation is on offer to teachers?

Teachers are housed on or close to campus in fur-nished, air-conditioned, one to three bedroom apart-ments or small houses. Towels, bed linen, flatware, dishware, and basic cooking utensils are provided. Accommodation is equipped with internal telephones, cable TV, music systems, DVD and Internet connec-tion. Reliability of services is not 100% due to local infrastructure but is certainly now 70% plus.

What are the major pros and majors cons for teachers thinking about a post in Angola and West Africa?

Pros are an excellent all through Reggio and IB  school, salary and conditions of service, possibilities of travel throughout the region.  Cons are limited entertainment in Luanda with few decent restaurants and cafes, expensive shops for expat “needs” and goldfish life existence within the oil industry world.

What do you get up to weekends?

Home entertainment systems are very good and people make their own social life to a large extent.  However, the beaches are good and accessible, surfing is excellent and the school offers a range of sporting activities.

What do you during the breaks? Anything a must see and do for the teachers? 

Most travel either around Angola which is fabulous but difficult to access or to other destinations in the region like Namibia and Botswana which are more geared to all types of tourism.

Is it dangerous to walk the streets after dark ?

Not recommended in certain areas of Luanda but generally fine anywhere else.  The school provides transport for those wishing to visit the shopping malls close by or those party animals visiting the splendid down town clubs, bars and discos.

Tell us about the locals ?

Portuguese speaking with a real zest for life.  They are generally relieved to be past their rather tragic past and welcome foreigners as being a sign of normality.

 

Are there many international hospitals and tell us about the standard?

There are local SOS clinics and the school has excellent emergency evacuation and other medical cover.  Local hospitals would only provide the most basic of services.

How do the teachers adapt to the local food and what’s your favourite food?

This really depends on the teacher.  The school meals are generally good and lunch is free to all staff.  Outside in Luanda you will pay a lot of money in a restaurant for even the most basic fare.  Signs of improvement though.

How much for a beer ?

Alcohol of all descriptions is relatively cheap and most certainly very available with a large selection of beer, wines and spirits almost everywhere.  A beer can cost anything from US$1 to US$3 depending on venue and brand.

What’s the nightlife like?

Apparently fantastic but I don’t speak from personal knowledge as most of the clubs open only after I have already been retired for the night for at least two hours.

How do you get about  ?

The school provides 4X4 ‘s and buses to ferry teachers.  There is also the possibility of taking a school driving test and, if successful, to then self-drive our vehicles.  The school does not though run a taxi service and bookings can be difficult for holiday weekends or at peak times in the week (Friday evenings).

School life and your teaching career

What can teachers expect from a career at LIS ?

Excellent knowledge of the Reggio and IB programmes, state of the art facilities, good opportunities for promotion, encouragement of good practice, supportive and collaborative working environment and very good conditions of service.   A generous PD budget in a well respect international school.   Trainers in all IB programmes on site.

What kind of challenges are there ?

Although internal systems and infrastructure is sound we are sometimes impacted by external factors which can prove extremely frustrating.  Traffic jams, water shortages and intermittent power fluctuations spring to mind.

How do the salaries compare with internationals school globally?

We are undoubtedly in the top 5% and given that housing, transport, local taxes, most services and lunch are paid for by the school it is probably in the top 1%.

What kind of extra curricular activities do teachers get up to ?

See above.

Does your school have any wow factors that our readers ?

Well there’s always me! Seriously though it is genuinely still unspoilt and largely untouched (by tourists at least) Africa.

I assume a fair percentage of your students English is their second a language, how much more difficult does this make things when trying to get through curriculum. What’s your thought on growth of international schools in Africa.. ?

All students above year 7 are more than proficient in English for entrance qualification reasons.  We have a large and very effective EAL and other student support department.  Also whether an international school or not EAL provision  is a challenge all teachers must be comfortable with. At this school sSupport is given to their own practice in the classroom along with the traditional push in/pull out models of student learning.

Your career to date

Please gives us a break down of the career today from when you decided to enter the teaching profession to your current state of affairs?

Originally I joined the profession as a classroom economics/social studies and mathematics teacher in Harlesden London.  Why?  I have often asked myself that question.  Seriously though what better or more important  job could you have than teaching future generations?

Where was your first post abroad and why the leap?

Seychelles.  Do you really need to ask why?

Any chance we will see you in UK in later life heading up a school?

No

Any tips for teachers out there looking to give up the classroom of the Uk and beyond and make it internationally?

As Nike say “Just Do It”  You can always go back but few in my experience do!

 

 

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