chedac

Hi, I am a chemistry and science.

roamer25

I can't believe it's just under 5 months really.
Sort of feels a little bit like limbo right now. I know it's on but until the visa process starts and stuff gets formalised, I can formally hand my notice in to work and it will feel so real.

Can't wait to fond out where we all get placed.

Hello WA

I was formally told on 20th June by DET that my application was successful and I'd be starting in Jan 09, and I have been sooooo excited that I read the email at least twice a week to make sure it was real, but like you Roamer, I'm at the stage where I'm like "Come on!!! I really, really can't wait another month! I'm worse than my children waiting for Christmas morning. Under normal circumsatnces, 4 months+ is nothing at all, but it seems like an eternity right now. I thought it was just me, but O/H feels excatly the same, and he doesn't usually get excited about anything! As I suggested to Lekkilizard, we should occupy our minds by planning for Christmas or counting how many more days until the next halfterm. I think I have read everything on the DET website in the hope it'll make me feel closer to Oz, but it hasn't worked. I've also been on realestate websites to try to picture the sort of accommodation we'll get, but it's extremely diffiicult cos we don't even know where they'll send us, or even what subject we'll be teaching, as people have said we should expect that we may not teach our specialist subject.
Anyway, just needed to let off steam as the waiting's unbearable.

Everyone, make sure you let us all know the second you hear anything from the DET.

Elo x

derekgoforth

am so gutted i wated so much time looking into going to canada. if i would have applied to DET last year i would probably be going out jan 09 as well. as it stands i am still at the early stages, (got my interview in october) then i understand its another wait until you find out if you are being sponsered then another wait for your visa.
hello WA, how long did it take them to tell you after your interview? what was the interview like?
i know what u mean about re-reading positive emails, i read the one saying i have an interview all the time

any response would be great

djg

Hello WA

Sad to hear you missed the Jan 09 deadline, but most likely you'll be there for Jul 09. My story started off with me attending the expo in London on March 15th and was asked to attend an interview on Tues 18th March, but I couldn't remain in london until then, so was given an interview slot for May. When I got home, hubby and I watched the DET dvd about 7 times and then went through their website with a fine-tooth comb trying to speed up the arrival of May. Lo n behold on the website we spotted a link called DET UK tours showing that they had interviews in Glasgow on Wed 19th March, so me, hubby n 2 kids drove up from Liverpool. The interview was a doddle (I'm usually terrified of interviews). Before you go in, they give you the 3 questions 1) What informs your planning, so that you meet the needs of all pupils in your classroom? 2) how do you assess / report on pupils' progress? 3) Why do you want to come to WA? The atmosphere was soooo relaxed I actually forgot it was a mega important interview. We were just chatting about my responses, and the interviewer would chip something about his own experience and then we'd talk about that for a bit; it waqs really relaxed. At the end he told me I interviewed really well and that if I was successful, I'd hear from Sue Carpenter in June. But by mid April, Sue got in touch for me to email my transcripts to WACOT for prelim assessment n DET contacted my refs and all was fine. On June 20th I got the email to say I'm being sponsored etc. The delay was acually the DET waiting for my refs, but even still it wasn't that long at all. Sue said they start the visa process in Sept, but that shouldn't take long cos they've got everything in place for Jan start.... Hang on in there and it'll all work out. Not many jobs are willing to subsidize your rent, plus you don't have to struggle to look for a job when you get there, so it's definitely worth going for.

All the best,
Elo

motleyboy

Hi Guys,
I am also flying out to Perth on the 457 Visa, starting on the 19th January 09. I am flying out on my own, so it will certainly be nice to share the build up with people/ask questions of other peoples progress and get to know people before we go.
I hope people don't mind if i personal-mail then, let me know....
Si

derekgoforth

looks like DET are doing things the other way round with me, and others as well i guess. i have already sorted my references and been assessed by WACOT. i just have to wait for my interview to come. to be honest it would have been difficlut to sell the house by january anyway so perhaps its best that we will not be going until july.
if we are told we are going and the house does sell in good time what do you reckon the chances os DET allowing me to do some supply work b4 the start of the july term?
even if they dont we will go over a couple of months b4 and travel round aus a bit, having been before i can tell you there is so so so much good stuff to see, particually in the south west if you like whale watching

Hello WA

Once you're fully registered with WACOT just as we do here with the GTC, you are allowed to do supply work, but it all depends when the DET process your visa, though (they're not processing the Jan 09 visas until Sept). It wouldn't matter if you're under 30 as you can do the working holiday route.
Good thing your refs and stuff are out of the way...I was calling my referees everyday like some psycho stalker, to hurry them up. But it worked. All the best with your interview.
Elo

lekkilizard

Hi Elo, Derek, Gary, Gems et al

Been a long time since I logged on. No broad band for over 4 weeks and Virgin not getting it sorted until sometime end of next week. Using dial up which is better than nothing I guess just slow.

Great to hear all is going a head Derek. You will get to WA sooner rather than later now which is fab.

Nice to read from others coming out in January too. It's good to get to know a few names before we go. Makes everything less daunting.

Wee bit of an update from yours truly - We have moved into a rental, our house is rented out and the shippers have been booked for end of Oct half term. Flights via Singapore are booked for Jan 11th arriving Perth 12th Jan. Am not looking forward to "are we there yet" for almost 20hrs. Think I will go get some sleeping pills and thats not for me!! Joke do not call children's services. Lets hope there a no hiccups or else it could be expensive!

Went into work today of course. Seems weird talking with personnel manager that my job will be advertised in September and that today will probably be my last GCSE results day for a while, if ever. Hey ho!!!! Yipee!!!! Last day at school Dec 19th, not that I am counting the days or have it all marked out on a calander.

Elo, how was Wales? and have you told the girls yet??

Regards to all

Nicki

Hello WA

Hi Nicki
Good to hear from you and I don't care what you say, you really, really are mega organised!!! Didn't go to Wales in the end, due to crap weather and loads of family parties...my baby sister got married, so for about two months I was running around after her like her very own personal wedding planner (unpaid skivvy, but I enjoyed every second of it)! Then it was my mum's 60th and retirement do all in one which was also great. Tega, my 7 year old went to Church summer camp for 1 week, so she was happy and my 5 year old, practically moved in to my parents' with two of her cousins which was great for hubby n I to have some couple time to dream about the big move. No, haven't told the girls yet as not telling my parents until Christmas....I know it sounds very cloak 'n' dagger, but 5 years ago we moved to America and it didn't work out, we couldn't get jobs, we lost all our property and my parents are very much the "I told you so" type, who saw us struggle to get back on our feet, without lifting a finger to help. It was horrible, but thank God we got through all that and it made us closer as a couple. Anyway, sorry for sounding like a therapy case, but you can imagine why we're not telling them until as late as possible. They'll never understand that this time we've got work / housing all sorted. I love them to death but we prefer to keep things to ourselves.
Moving on, bet you're living out of suitcases to save you having to pack again in Jan. We're going to wait until the visa's been sorted before we can actually start organising our stuff...yeah, not very organised, but if it ain't last minute O/H and I can't shake a leg.
Speak soon
Elo

lekkilizard

Hi Elo

Good to hear back from you. I guess I am being mega organised. I have lists coming out of everywhere.

Not quite living out of suitcases but I have been thinking about them and even looking at them! You are a mind reader!!
And, went to a close by restaurant yesterday to organise my Mum's 60th birthday!! Got the hangover from hell so more tea and pills are needed!!!

I can understand your reserve with your parents after what have been through. I'm glad youre giving the expat life a second chance! My parents have been great but they have always worked and lived abroad even now my Dad works away. Mine are even talking about moving to Oz if we decide to stay there for good. You can see where I get the organised bit from. We havent even left and they're planning ahead already.

Any way we've got a manic weekend ahead if I manage to get off the sofa so will catch up soon.

Enjoy bank holiday. Let's hope it's not a wash out!

Do we get bank holidays in Oz? Another thing to add to my list of things to find out!!!!

Nicki

derekgoforth

does anyone heading out in january know where abouts they will be going?
i have heard a rumour that the main volume of teachers will be getting posted to the esperance / goldfields area? anyone know if this is true?
would like to go to the very south coast, the climate should be milder i think

karenandjason

Hi
We are due in Perth in Jan too. We have most things sorted now, it all seems to be coming together. Done police checks and just finished WACOT forms. Booked shipping company to pick up stuff ( john Masons - gave us the best quote). Medicals are happening next week. Rented house out. We're doing things a little early because we are travelling for 3 months bofore hand...leave for bangkok on 4th Oct. Got a good deal with flights. Booked air eva to bangkok and then a flight from KL to Perth on Air asia. Very cheap - even upgraded ourselfs to the posh seats.
Love the rumor about going to Esperance (where did you hear this?) as this is where we really really want to go. Both really excited about the move now after having a bit of a wobble a month ago. Read some really negative stuff. But have been in touch with a couple that did it last year and are loving it.
We are just waiting on Visas and knowing where we going to placed now. Its great there are few of us in the same boat. keep posted re visas etc.

Karen

roamer25

I think these rumours come about as result of people latching on to maybe one or two examples from the scheme that match up to their own wishes. it's understandable, but I don't think anyone can really tell yet (unless of course you know someone working there already who has an idea of staffing needs)

Esperance and surrounding areas would be great but I think if you put the cart before the horse by assuming it'll be a particular place, it could lead to disappoinment if that didn't pan out.
So, I for one am going to try and wait it out.

Briar

Concerning the DET application process - interviews first and reference checks etc after - or the other way round as derekgoforth has experienced, I was told that DET are inundated with applications, so maybe they are being picky about who to interview instead interviewing anyone who asked. Seems they have got their act together and are doing the checks first, and the interview last, which is the normal route of job applications after all. Mind you the waiting to find out if you have made it to interview is nerve-racking!