Teaching in NZ

Old Aug 29th 2012, 9:12 am
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Default Teaching in NZ

Hi there

My husband is a newly qualified teacher and due to my job as a consultant psychiatrist we are moving to NZ next year. I wondered if anyone has any experience of working as a teacher and any ideas as to how to proceed looking for posts etc...are there any good agencies etc?? We will be based in Auckland, he is a secondary teacher with a special interest in SEN (special ed needs) so I gather this is a demand area in NZ?!!

We also wonder if having the UK qualification will be enough or if there would be further training needed...any advice appreciated!!!!

Thanks!!
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Old Aug 29th 2012, 4:36 pm
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Hi!

I'm in the middle of doing a similar thing. The first thing I did was got the NZQA to check my qualifications and say what the equivalent NZ qualifications would be. I have a bachelors degree and a PGDE Secondary and that was equivalent to a level 6 and lvl 7 qualification.

I then contacted educationpersonnel agency and they got me a skype interview within a fortnight. Did a Skype interview and got the job in Auckland.

Flying over in October and starting work in January (possibly get some cover work with them in nov/dec)

What qualification does he have?

Allan
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Old Aug 29th 2012, 4:40 pm
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Default Re: Teaching in NZ

Hi there,

I've just sent you a PM but am laughing at how similar our situations are - my husband is also a teacher (not NQT though) and specialises in SEN too. How funny! Amanda
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Old Aug 29th 2012, 5:55 pm
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Hi Allan

He also has a BA, MA and PGCE in Maths. Has three years pre PGCE experience as an LSA with autistic kids too. I hope it will be as quick for him too!! Yes great advice, we can get onto that now. We won't be there until Feb but I think Auckland is the best place re need for teachers. Are you teaching in a public school??

I shall get me hubbie to post on this thread as it would be great for him to get some personal advice as to how to proceed.

Zoe
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Old Sep 2nd 2012, 6:43 am
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My OH got us here, I secured summer holiday pay back home and left a week before the end of the summer term - here July 21st.

Signed up to an agency Hmmmm. They have been crap in all honesty, but I have probably been a little difficult as secured voluntary work in schools so couldn't do long term relief - whilst still being paid in UK, wanted to get a feel for the system. Walked in randomly to 2 schools and sent CV to one in response to ad on Ed Gazette - worth looking now. One told me to sod off and will employ teachers with NZ exper. fine with that and principal very helpful. Other 2 schools very keen - both decile 10 too! I have now secured a .7 position - every morning with a view to full time next year. Other school also has a position for me so for me, it has been a relatively good experience. I suggest, just get into schools 1 on 1 over here!!! Thye snapped me up when I said id come and help and got on relief register straight away. part time for me to xmas will be fab as in afternoons can observe and get up to standards on NZ system. Very excited!!
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Old Sep 2nd 2012, 3:39 pm
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They qualification will be fine, I'm working in a public school (I think). Don't think it hurt that the interviewing head was Scottish too .
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Old Sep 6th 2012, 9:51 pm
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Hi guys

I'm in same position, NQT just moved to NZ as husband has a job here. Awaiting NZ provisional registration to come through and then I'll try and get some relief work.

I'm tackling my CV just now - if anyone has any tips on how NZ CV's differ or a good example/format - I'd really appreciate the help.

HeatherGirl
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Old Sep 7th 2012, 7:08 am
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Hiya

Yanni is doing the same thing from here...we leave early 2013 so hope to have all his papers for the new school year...where are you Goys based? I think and hope Auckland will be easy to find teaching posts. I know they have taken teaching off the skills shortage list but in bigger cities there is still a need...I spoke to my employer (health) and they said a lot of staf come over with teacher spouses and they seem to get work easily esp if they do cover first. Good luck!! Keep us posted...

Zoe
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Old Sep 10th 2012, 1:42 am
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Hi I have been in NZ for 3 years and just thought I would share my teaching experiences here in NZ.
Basics: UK qualifications accepted and assessed at top of Primary salary scale.

I have had a few short term contracts but most of the time it is relief work for me. Living in the South so very difficult to secure permanent contract with so many teaching jobs lost last December and it looks like many more will go in Christchurch area over the next few months. Some school roles have dropped by 25% or more. Teachers who loose their job will be offered 30 weeks paid work while they find alternative employment or they can choose to retrain and be paid for up to 30 - 40 weeks. (They must foot the cost of their course).
It is difficult to get permanent work in the South and many BOTs are only considering NZ qualified. I have applied for 57 positions - no interviews!
I was a Deputy Head in the UK and I knew my income would drop in NZ - I was also prepared to step down the ladder. I have found that being well qualified and experienced can be a real set back here in NZ.
Two comments that have been made in staff rooms in my presence:
"UK teachers don't understand NZ kids"
"We don't need overqualified poms here"
All taken on the chin as I have worked with some really good NZ teachers and I try to keep it in context.
I have worked in some good schools here in NZ and some that have worried me. Professional standards (Primary / Early Years) in general are not the same as in the UK so it can be frustrating but I have learned to be more selective in my relief work and I am working with a few good schools / ECEs.

I have also been caught like many others in the catch 22 position of provisional - full registration. So even after 3 years I have been unable to secure full registration, at least it has not related to my salary and I get the full $70877
Taking a course in Te Reo helps you to fit in too.

I will be returning to the UK in Jan 2013 as I have secured a Deputy position which has given me hope. I have had real low professional self esteem and
moral for the past 18 months. I have enjoyed the experience of living and working in NZ but it is time to move on.
I have found that Education has its positives and negatives here just like the UK. I have no evidence that one system is better than the other but the statistics that place NZ in 7th place on the OCED list for education are a bit suspect when you take the following into accountGovernments provide the data to OCED)

NCEA assessment scandal revealed
Monday, 13 June 2011, 4:56 pm
Press Release: North and South magazine

Media release
13 June 2011

NCEA assessment scandal revealed
NCEA markers and moderators are being told to “fudge the figures” for the Minister of Education, a shocked insider reveals in the July issue of North & South.

The message to moderators was clear, says the veteran teacher and marker: fudge the figures or risk losing your jobs – and risk exposing massive flaws and unfairness in the way grades are awarded to students on their NCEA internal assessments.

Scaling, cheating and manipulating marks… writer Deborah Coddington uncovers another sorry chapter in New Zealand’s troubled NCEA examination and internal assessment system.

What I have learnt is that nothing is as good as it seems!
If you considering teaching here in NZ do your homework. North Island is probably your best option.

Last edited by maddalenna; Sep 10th 2012 at 2:42 am.
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