We're moving to QLD in January 2010 and I've found a few email addresses of schools online, but very few. Is there a central register of school email addresses or a way of getting them for certain schools (from the Education Board for instance) in order to send them an introductory email? We'll be living in the Toowoomba area and I'd like to send a few emails before arrival then call in to those schools and introduce myself.

I know there'll be some people who hop on this thread being all 'negative' and 'you've no chance love' kinda thing, but God loves a trier, and that's what I'll be in order to attempt to get my foot in the door in Oz...

This website seems to have loads of information, if you just click search it gives you all their phone numbers and email addresses. Don't know if its what you're looking for?!

http://education.qld.gov.au/directory/phone/

Aren't you an absolute superstar?!?!!? lol Wow thanks for that WS, I reallllllly appreciate it!

Hi Jen,

Not sure if its the same as WA. But we found the schools here are crap at replying to emails. Basically most will not reply.

Your better off phoning or sending CVs by fax/post.
Before we came I spoke to other UK teachers (In Victoria etc). They said they sent their CVs with a covering letter to schools (in the areas they were moving too) and got offered work that way. Some hit lucky with permanent post others got temp work.

Gems

Hi Jen, as you know we're in the 'Festival State' but I never got around to applying for my teacher reg with SA (TRB) when in the UK. We applied for the first stage (quals check!) three weeks ago and to speed it up, we went in the boys school on Friday and asked if they could ring the TRB. Guess what, rang today and although they're not allowed to say anyone rang, the first stage is passed. I went in to town and got that certificate and applied for the actual reg today.

Mrs C reckons that you have to keep pushing here and so far we have found that to be the case.

I'd keep a list of all the schools you email. Also, make sure you have your referees on your CV. Some schools here like a priest/vicar referee but that's not possible for everyone.

Aside from the above, make sure you get plenty of certified copies of birth certificates and driving licences, degree, etc. We have used them here although we have had to use the JP system here (free) for certifying our Australian driving licences. Also the reference from your last school for Teaching Australia - get that as well.

This was useful for SA but others may say otherwise for QLD.

Good luck,
Cooler

Great, thats excellent Gems...will do that...

Cooler, is it the case that my QLD registration could be sped up if upon arrival it's not been 'granted' as yet?

That certainly seems to be the case here. One trick from expats in SA is to get a teaching supply agency to ring up and say they you need your reg as they have work for you. I think you can cover high school as well, you can in SA - don't say you won't as any local experience is preferred (by some) here.

Cooler

Brill, just to get the crb sorted then...

Mine took three weeks in the UK.

Cooler

Is it the one the schools do, if they want parents to volunteer or help out?!

Well, I managed to get a CRB for teaching supply, weather that's different to anything else, I don't know - came too late to use.

For SA, you can use the same police check used for PCC - check this is the case for Qld.

Cooler

Problem is, DIAC have my original police check as our app was paper based, I've only a scanned copy!

Just phoned 5 schools, BOY THAT WAS STRESSFUL! Forwarded my CV to them...and now I'm off to bed...tis wayyyyyyyyy past my bedtime! lol

Well done Jen, fingers crossed you get a good job offer.

Gems

Yes, good luck Jen

Got my teaching reg today - four weeks so not bad. Did badger them

Cooler