Now for something completely different

Awanui couple Richard and Maude Wilkinson were looking for something different - and they've found it, in the form of jobs at a school in the Jordanian capital Amman.

Richard left his position as principal at Herekino School and Maude hers as Far North REAP CEO in Kaitaia, packing their bags last week for a couple of days in Auckland before they and 10-year-old son Zion flew out yesterday. They will officially take their places at the school on September 2, after a short break and a week-long induction.

"We wanted to do something like this while we're still standing and we've got all our faculties," Richard said, although his mother, who lives in Auckland, wasn't entirely happy about their choice of region.

While they would be living only 75 kilometres from the Syrian border - "close enough to hear the rockets going over" - they had satisfied themselves that Jordan was a stable, friendly country where there would be no reason to be concerned for their safety.

They had spoken to a number of people who had lived and taught there, and had heard nothing that sowed the slightest seed of doubt in their minds. Further assurance, if it was needed, was provided by the fact that Queen Rania was an owner, and the patron, of the school they were going to, with 1300 students from new entrants to the equivalent of Year 13.

They could have considered a more popular destination, such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Richard added, but chose not to follow the crowd, although they would not entirely be alone as strangers in a strange land.

Four other New Zealand teachers would also be taking up contracts at the same school next month, and Richard had been very heartened when his initial query to the Academy of Amman attracted a response beginning with the greeting "Kia ora".

The author of that email was none other than Martin Blackburn, one-time principal of Opononi Area School.

Richard will be teaching the equivalent of Year 4-5 children, using the Primary Years Programme, which he described as the world's major curriculum.

"It's very different to what I'm used to. Everything is very prescribed," he said, which may not augur especially well for the forming of a kapa haka party, but there wouldn't be any language barriers.

The school catered for some Jordanian children but most were expat Australians, New Zealanders, English and Americans. Afternoon lessons in Arabic would be provided by a specialist teacher.

Richard's contract is for two years, with two-year and one-year options for renewal, but Maude has only taken one year's leave from REAP at this stage. She will be working in the school's IT department, and according to Richard was the real drawcard.

"She's multi-skilled - they've already invited her to join the administration, but she wants to settle in a bit first. I think I was just an add-on," he said.

Schools in Jordan only took a 10-day break over Christmas, he added, the long break coming in August, when the school would fly them home for a holiday.

The couple had enjoyed strong local support in their decision to work overseas, including from teachers and principals, and the Abundant Life Church in Kaitaia, of which they were members.

"They've always supported us in whatever we wanted to do, and this is no exception," he said.

And it wouldn't take them long to settle in. They had already been given tickets for a Jordanian game against the Socceroos, where Richard expected to be cheering for the home team.