Apparently, many students are still waiting to find out which school they have been accepted into, with the return to school only a couple of weeks away. They, too, have been waiting anxiously through the school holidays. No wonder the schools haven't been too forthcoming with info for me!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
I'm not the only one waiting for news...
Have just been having a squiz at the local paper for the region I'm going to, and come across the following article (http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2010/08/28/895886-Des-eleves-sans-lycee-pour-la-rentree.html if you can understand French, or have some kind of Google-ish toolbar which offers to translate it for you).
Contact with Schools, and Past Assistants' Knowledge
A few more important things have happened, so it's time for an update!
- I reapplied for my visa, and it has been processed and arrived at Mum & Dad's place. Hooray! I am now officially allowed into France, which is a very good thing. However, it was interesting that my (this time) carefully-selected, signature required envelope was simply left in the letterbox. Then again, it's still a big improvement on last time.
- One of my schools replied to my email! Huzzah. While they didn't offer me a lot of info, they did respond to the questions I had asked, and the principal's secretary (who responded) was also going to forward my email to the assistant coordinator for the school.
They also said that I may be able to get accommodation at one of the collèges that I'm teaching at. Fingers crossed for that. (Really would like to have a bit more certainty than that at this stage, but anyway. Apparently, this is typically French!) - I caught up with a former assistant over lunch one day, and it was good to get her insider knowledge. Apparently, I need to be prepared for some teachers not to be too bothered about whatever I teach the students. And I probably will be alone with the class, even if I'm told otherwise. I need to get into all my paperwork as soon as humanly possible, and expect the processing to take a long time. She even had one guy ignore her when she spoke because he thought her French was bad!
However, I can also expect an awesome time. :)
It really is only a matter of weeks now, which is insane. I think I've gained a new appreciation of my current life, probably helped along by the imminent changes. Anyway, am making the most of it while I'm still here!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
It's real...
I think I might be in denial! Just can't believe that I'm really going, and in a matter of weeks. It's craziness!
Anyway, am trying to look at accommodation for a bit today, and see whether the apartments advertised in the local paper are close to my schools/public transport, etc. The fun side of this is that I've realised I can look at my schools on streetview.
That... should be Lycée de Bagatelle, my main school.
This... should be Collège Leclerc, one of the ones I'll spend 2 hours at.
And there doesn't appear to be street view for Collège Didier Daurat, another 2 hour school. :(
Anyway, am trying to look at accommodation for a bit today, and see whether the apartments advertised in the local paper are close to my schools/public transport, etc. The fun side of this is that I've realised I can look at my schools on streetview.
That... should be Lycée de Bagatelle, my main school.
This... should be Collège Leclerc, one of the ones I'll spend 2 hours at.
And there doesn't appear to be street view for Collège Didier Daurat, another 2 hour school. :(
Passport+Visa=Lost!
Well, without even having actually begun, it's already an intersting journey!!!
While it'll all turn out fine, I've suffered the minor setback of having my passport, complete with French visa, get sent back to where I was living, but not get to me... After much to-ing and fro-ing, it seems that a series of unfortunate events (probably mainly me not having got a courier envelope to send passport back in, and the Embassy not thinking to enquire about this, and sending it in a non-signature envelope) has led to no-one knowing where said passport is. I'm still not sure why I had it in my mind that I was going to have to pick up my visa, but anyway.
Basically, it was a $150 mistake, and my new passport should be being delivered (to work!) soon... Then off it goes to get its visa again.
So much for thinking I had it all organised well in advance, eh?
Passport/visa FAIL
While it'll all turn out fine, I've suffered the minor setback of having my passport, complete with French visa, get sent back to where I was living, but not get to me... After much to-ing and fro-ing, it seems that a series of unfortunate events (probably mainly me not having got a courier envelope to send passport back in, and the Embassy not thinking to enquire about this, and sending it in a non-signature envelope) has led to no-one knowing where said passport is. I'm still not sure why I had it in my mind that I was going to have to pick up my visa, but anyway.
Basically, it was a $150 mistake, and my new passport should be being delivered (to work!) soon... Then off it goes to get its visa again.
So much for thinking I had it all organised well in advance, eh?
Passport/visa FAIL
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Good Map of the Region
Howdy again. :)
Am trying to find out more about where I'm headed, but it is proving difficult. Don't know where all the info is.
Anyway, what I did find was this map, which shows the Haute-Garonne region and has Saint-Gaudens nicely labelled.
Just to make sure I'm not cheating anyone, had better reference the map.
From:
Posted by: Maksim, 12/3/06
Also good to know is where the Haute Garonne fits into France as a whole:
From:Seems to have been first posted by: Auro, 3/1/05
Friday, July 9, 2010
First details start to come in...
Hi all!
The great assistantship plan is finally starting to come together, as I'm finally getting some detail about where I'm going!
My académie is Toulouse, but I'm actually posted in a smaller town called Saint Gaudens (apparently, population in 1999 was 10 837, and the town is fewer than 100km from Toulouse). Fairly close to the Spanish border, which is pretty awesome. Can't find a heap of info about the place yet (but I could still spend some more time on it...), but it seems to have a cool 'Collegiate Church of Saint Peter and Saint Gaudens'.
Also, L'Internaute reports some interesting statistics: Sadly, 45.9% male and 54.1% female. However, 24% supposedly between the ages of 20 and 39 years, so this is good.
My time will be divided between 3 schools.
The great assistantship plan is finally starting to come together, as I'm finally getting some detail about where I'm going!
My académie is Toulouse, but I'm actually posted in a smaller town called Saint Gaudens (apparently, population in 1999 was 10 837, and the town is fewer than 100km from Toulouse). Fairly close to the Spanish border, which is pretty awesome. Can't find a heap of info about the place yet (but I could still spend some more time on it...), but it seems to have a cool 'Collegiate Church of Saint Peter and Saint Gaudens'.
Also, L'Internaute reports some interesting statistics: Sadly, 45.9% male and 54.1% female. However, 24% supposedly between the ages of 20 and 39 years, so this is good.
My time will be divided between 3 schools.
- The main one, where I'll be spending 8h per week, is a lycée générale et technique, called Lycée de Bagatelle. The lycées are for students of about 15-18 years of age and, according to wikipedia, lycées générales tend to lead to uni degrees, and students of lycées techniques are headed towards shorter studies.
Built in 1971. There are some pics on the website. There also seems to be something automatic about the cafeteria... I will be interested to see how this works! 7 English teachers, and current language assistants seems to have been helping with English and Spanish. - I'll also be spending 2h per week at Collège Leclerc. Collèges are for students of approx 11-15 years of age.
From what I can tell, the history of this place goes back to about 1806 (something about Napoléon 1 decreeing that a seminary should be built). I'm a little bit confused about whether it is still in the same place, or has moved... I think it has moved, but (interesting fact) the original was also a military hospital for injured soldiers during WWI. - And another 2h per week at Collège Didier Daurat.
Takes its name from the dude who was repsonsible for the 'aeropostal line' between Toulouse and Santiago-du-Chili. Before the Lycée Bagatelle was built, it went right through from 11 to 18 years, but it's now just 11-15.
Apparently, there are 9 'education assistants' here, but I'm not too sure what that means. Surely they can't all be language assistants like me if it's such a small place?!
Apparently, there are only 4 collèges and 4 lycées in the place, so I'll get to see several! Anyhow, more info to follow... hopefully.
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