Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 175
Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Is it worth putting an application in without a letter from your local pastor if the application asks for it?
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
#2
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Is it worth putting an application in without a letter from your local pastor if the application asks for it?
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 175
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Thanks - I've not actually applied for Catholic yet - just Baptist. I think you can get accreditation to teach in Catholic schools which might be worth getting.
Thanks.
Any more positives?
Thanks.
Any more positives?
#4
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
I used my ex- headteacher (church of england school in the UK) as my christian referee. I also think you need to state on your application form how you feel you would uphold the christian ethos of the school and why you would value working in that kind of environment.
I was very open at interview about where I stood with regards to my faith but i had some quite tricky questions about it at interview. I adopted the 'honest' approach == like you I refused to pretend to be somebody I wasn't....
The other thing I would say is that the school I work at is quite evangelical in it's outlook -- took me aback at first -- so be sure you'd be happy working in that kind of school.....
Good Luck with your quest for teaching work!
#5
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
I went for an Admin job in an Anglican college. Thankfully they picked someone over me and I didn't get the job. I naively thought, as Admin, I wouldn't be expected to do much in the way of god stuff but they were expecting me to fully embrace the religious side in a big way and join in all events. No way would I ever be that hypocritical and would never apply for another Church school job. Best left to the religious amongst us
#6
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
I'd be quite happy to work in a Christian school on the basis I would be able to slip all sorts of things past them.... (stop sniggering at the back!) take my foot off the gas.
I find them all pretty trusting - last time I visited the church playgroup I cleaned them out of a whole plateful of biscuits and a few cups of tea and got a bit of child-minding too.
I find them all pretty trusting - last time I visited the church playgroup I cleaned them out of a whole plateful of biscuits and a few cups of tea and got a bit of child-minding too.
#7
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Is it worth putting an application in without a letter from your local pastor if the application asks for it?
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
They can be more selective about who they employ. State schools, just have to take their pick from a database of available staff. If it is a "good" school they can pick and choose their staff and if it came down to it a crucifix wearing, bible carrier he may win out over an atheist. But these schools are generally trying to recruit good teachers.
Just let them know that you support the school ethos. Wanting to do the best for the students, support their religious beliefs and generally care about the job you do and the well-being of students in your care. Most decent teachers will up-hold Christian beliefs wether they are religious or not.
I have to endure chapel once a week and say the lords prayer at assembly. I can live with that - without calling myself a hypocrite. I didn't have any covering letter from any religious body and got several interviews and a permanent job.
Good luck.
#8
Capt Hilts
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Sunny Adelaide :)
Posts: 1,573
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Is it worth putting an application in without a letter from your local pastor if the application asks for it?
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
Getting a bit tired of applying for jobs and getting nowhere when I think my application is excellent! However I am not going to pretend to be something I am not....
Hmmmm
Any advice?
Cheers
Cooler
#9
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Joined: May 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 175
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Thanks again. In the applications I've put in I've talked about how I would uphold the values of the school and would fully take part in the life of the school but nadda.... I'm getting a bit peed off to be honest! I would rather work in a non-religious school to be honest but I am also being picky as to proximity to home so I am trying to apply to only schools within a 30min drive. I worked in a church school in the UK so I could ask for another reference from them (although the pastor I knew has left now...). I'm not being a bighead but I am an excellent teacher with good credentials and excellent (written references) and I think they should stand up for themselves but maybe I'm just arrogant!! Or maybe my beliefs are more important than my teaching standards..... rant rant rant
I'll keep plugging away.....
I'll keep plugging away.....
#10
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Thanks again. In the applications I've put in I've talked about how I would uphold the values of the school and would fully take part in the life of the school but nadda.... I'm getting a bit peed off to be honest! I would rather work in a non-religious school to be honest but I am also being picky as to proximity to home so I am trying to apply to only schools within a 30min drive. I worked in a church school in the UK so I could ask for another reference from them (although the pastor I knew has left now...). I'm not being a bighead but I am an excellent teacher with good credentials and excellent (written references) and I think they should stand up for themselves but maybe I'm just arrogant!! Or maybe my beliefs are more important than my teaching standards..... rant rant rant
I'll keep plugging away.....
I'll keep plugging away.....
FYI on my application form I stated that 'as the Head Teacher of a Church of England my ex-headteacher would be able to attest to my 'christian character.' I had no religious person as a reference.
Good Luck!
#11
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Location: Perth
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Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Thanks Katherined0 (karma sent) - I really appreciate your advice and you've made me feel a lot better - like I'm not just a reject but if I'm applying to any school I need to wholly (no pun intended!) embrace the ethos, just as I would for the IB programme (which I am in love with!). It's all in the application and the research - not just sending of a standard-ish slightly adjusted letter and expecting my experience etc to speak for itself. Ok - I get it! Thanks
#12
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 199
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
I work in a Catholic school and am not a Catholic, I am having to do an accredditation though. Maybe try more rural schools as they may ignore the religion part if they are desperate for teachers.
#13
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Thanks Katherined0 (karma sent) - I really appreciate your advice and you've made me feel a lot better - like I'm not just a reject but if I'm applying to any school I need to wholly (no pun intended!) embrace the ethos, just as I would for the IB programme (which I am in love with!). It's all in the application and the research - not just sending of a standard-ish slightly adjusted letter and expecting my experience etc to speak for itself. Ok - I get it! Thanks
Looking for work is such a nightmare.....
Fingers crossed something comes up for you soon!
#14
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Location: Budapest, Melbourne, Yarrawonga & Antalya
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Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
Not an issue, many non catholic, i.e. mostly protestant teach in the catholic system and vice versa. Visited catholic primary school inner western Melbourne many times, very secular.
In fact pre WWII in the bush many protestants went to good catholic schools due to better education (versus state schools).
With huge bush community involvement in the "other religion", sport, Oz has never had much "real" tension between protestants and catholics (plenty of mixed marriages due to what my mother described as a need to keep the gene pool mixed up), with those of jewish faith favoured as Governor Generals in the past
In fact pre WWII in the bush many protestants went to good catholic schools due to better education (versus state schools).
With huge bush community involvement in the "other religion", sport, Oz has never had much "real" tension between protestants and catholics (plenty of mixed marriages due to what my mother described as a need to keep the gene pool mixed up), with those of jewish faith favoured as Governor Generals in the past
#15
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Location: Brisbane
Posts: 257
Re: Any non christians / catholics working in church schools?
I have just returned from a 2 week requie and visited a state school (near Perth), a catholic school in Joonalup and I spent a day at Hale Grammar school. I am a non-catholic but would certainly not recommend applying for a state school if you can get into a private one . I will be taking a reference with me from my local church. I am not a practicing christian but I take my kids because I believe it could make them a better person!! There were quite a few staff that were non-catholics and they suggeted that although it was certainly not essential it would be helpful to have a reference from your church. Many of the staff were non-christians but followed the ethos. What's your subject?