english teacher

Hi,

Thinking of going country as a teacher because I can. We live in Twickenham at the moment... need a change!

Me, wife and two girls - one of 4 years and one of 11 months. So hard to find info about what life is like out there... especially for families.

What's it like in the country?- and this is open to all who live there, not just teachers!

Don't think we will go Remote ... but an extra $19000 a year is tempting...

And for something completely different... did anyone do any relief teaching when they landed in Perth? Any tips? Just in case I can't get a definite position outside of Perth.

thanks all

Jeff

Amazulu

Somewhere like Denmark would be fantastic.
Somewhere like Collie would be horrible.

twhurl

Yes. Id live in Denmark any day. Just the pies in the bakery would get me there

renth

I reckon the'll be rolling the red carpet out for you if you wanted to go rural.

But as Amazulu said make sure you end up in a nice place like Denmark, Margaret River, Albany etc rather than Meekatharra or Newman or South Hedland.

Howard Jenings

We live in Geraldton 450km North of Perth and myself and my wife are both teachers, we have 3 kids 9, 3 and 18 months and have never looked back since moving here 12 months ago. We love the place, it is really family friendly and people are lovely. It is right on the coast with a Mediterranean climate so you have to like the beach!! What do you teach they were crying out for Secondary School teachers at my school this year.

leftfield

I think your find places like Denmark, Margaret River, Albany etc. have a rather long waiting list to get into.

Not sure how it works for a migrant coming into the system. But for tecahers who are already here (and who have permanet contracts) get first choice on Vacancies that are availble within the state system. Graduate tecahers and teachers on temporary contracts then get left with the shite nobody else wants.

hoofie2002

I'd imagine there are MANY Perth-based teaches who would LOVE to work in Demark, Albany etc never mind anyone else. Anyone with a government job in those areas is laughing.

roamer25

Yup, it's well and good to say "don't go to a shit hole" but all the jobs are in the places like the Pilbara, Kimberley and the Midwest. PLenty of shitholes to choose from in all those regions!

Life in in one of those regions in WA... hmmm... I've had internet access 14 days out of the last 21 (good going! Woo!), we've had 3 power cuts this weekend, lasting around 30 mins each, no bins collections for the past fortnight (it's Aussie day mate!) and about 5 people in town are currently suing the Shire as they keep breaking bones while walking their dogs (we have no street lights on many roads and lots and lots of lovely potholes)

If a parent doesn't like that you detained their little precious at lunch for bad behaviour etc, they get to shout abuse at you in the supermarket (if you have one!) and 3 months of the year you can't use your garden due to the mozzies, heat, high UV, snakes etc etc.

Plus points? High pay, subsidised housing (usually not great though) and lots of sports for sporty people to play. Really friendly staff, generally very well behaved kids, often lots for young kids to do but not much for teens.

mohogony

Don't move to an outback desert hell hole no matter how money they offer you or how cheap the housing, go south of Perth like Albany , Bunbury Margert river Denmark, if you can't get a job there maybe try maybe try Country VIctoria or NSW, plenty of nice country places there,

roamer25

Yup, that's where I'll be off to next!

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Hmmmm... Twickenham to the outback for 'a change'. Are you insane !!

Going rural in Australia is not like going to rural Wales. You could a bloody long way from anything and anywhere.

koalakim

Yep - anywhere in the SE corner is good, even as far out as Esperance.

I would be careful about going north (apart from Geraldton) as some of the country towns were a bit odd! Kalgoorlie was a bit of a strange town as well but at least there is a bit more going on there.

I would imagine that if the locals don't like you then you may not feel very comfortable in your new surroundings.

Good luck!

english teacher

Hi everyone, thanks for all your replies thus far!


I was brought up in South Africa, so am used to floods and drought and snakes and spiders and mozzies! And scorching sun.

Roamer, where are you based? I guess you don't like it much?

Howard, I teach English and History - secondary qualified but have taught years 6-8 in the UK in a prep school.

Mohogony, I know that the South West is the go, but am being realistic. I also like the idea of Geraldton.

I already have PR, so am a free agent. I'm also going to look at ... yep, private schools! Basically, I need a job to go to. Simple as that.

Koalakim, it sounds like you speak from experience regarding 'odd towns'!

Anyone out there teach in country Victoria or New South Wales? What's it like then... following on from Mohogony's tip and Roamer's keenness!

Jeff

ACE

It is a good idea to do relief work before you commit to anything, try a couple of different schools to see where you feel most comfortable and to get to know the system. Definitely try the private system you get to choose where you work and you are employed by the school or affiliated church association which means that they can employ you if you have the right qualifications, docs and experience regardless of how long you have been in the country. I got a job working in the peel region following a phone call and an interview with the deputy principal. I did relief work for a couple of weeks which led to a 1 term long service leave contract and onto a permanent position. I have never worked in the state system but I have lots of friends that have and by all accounts I am onto a winner. Apparently we get longer holidays, higher pay, better facilities, very supportive parents, very well behaved kids and 100% support from the management particularly in terms discipline.

Please note, my comments are based solely on my experience in my school/area, I am not suggesting that there are not great state high schools around I know there are just not in this area.

mohogony

l'm not knocking WA, The S/W is suposed too be really nice but l've never been there so l can't judge, but lf it was me l would rather live in country Victoria or NSW, overall the countryside is nicer while most of WA is desert and bigger population means more facilities. But every state has some really nice rural places to live and some dreadful parts to advoid. l think l've heard a few bad things from past posters about Geralton and crime. if you go to NSW advoid the mid west and far west of the state like Willcania and Bouke area, but pity much everywhere in county VIctoria is good.