CharlesMacLeod

Hi Guys,

I have tried posting with this question on the specialist "Teacher" forum on BE, but with little success (except for a helpful posting from "happynz"). All the postings on that forum seem to be aimed at Australia or to a lesser degree the US.

"My wife is an experienced Secondary School Maths teacher, and is looking to continue teaching when we go over.

I have seen lots of discussion about teaching in Australia on the site, but very little on NZ. Are there any teachers out there who can tell us how different the system is? Did you use one of the Teacher Recruitment Agencies, and were they any good?"

Anyone out there on the forum tried this, or know someone who has?

EmandKen

Hi
I'm a secondary English teacher but am not in NZ yet so can't help much I'm afraid. I've found the Teach NZ website quite helpful that happyNZ mentioned in getting the know the NZ system and http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/ for jobs. Quite interesting to browse this one just to see what's out there.

I went to a seminar on Teaching in NZ run by TeachNZ in Leeds and also an expo in Manchester and spoke to reps from TeachNZ there. One thing I was told at the seminar is that schools recruit direct and if a job is advertised with an agency it means the school had problems filling the post and went to an agency as a last resort.

Hope this helps a bit Where are you hoping to live in NZ?
Emma

CharlesMacLeod

Thanks for that.

I hadn't thought the recruitment agency bit through. I suppose it makes perfect sense that its is only with those jobs which they have difficulty filling that they would go to the bother of paying for a recruitment agency!

My wife (another Emma) and I are looking to settle somewhere near Wellington, as my job should hopefully be based there. All being well we are hoping to move out there for the start of the 2009 school year.

planty

Hi! Mrs Planty here. I'm a Primary teacher, so not much help with the Secondary school side of things. Emma is right - check out edgazette because it gives you a good idea of where jobs are being offered. I found it hard to get a permanent contract because there seem to be lots of primary teachers available, but I know that secondary schools find it hard to recruit Maths/ Science/ Technology teachers, so your wife should have an easier time securing a job.
I know that the exam system is a little different here, and certainly the Numeracy strategy in NZ primaries has a slightly different emphasis to that in the UK. Still, children are children, wherever you are, and I'm enjoying teaching here - and enjoying the summer holidays!
Debbie.