[Aussie Pom]

Hi All,
I have seen a few posts from teachers but i haven't really seen this question discussed. I have been teaching over 20 years, 10 in the UK and 12 in Oz. I have taught right across the Primary range but prefer 7-10 year olds. I am now finishing an ESL qualification so this should widen my scope. We will be over in 4 weeks for our recce to decide between Nelson and Christchurch, although Nelson is currently the favourite.
Has anyone had a great deal of problems getting teaching work? Will it be difficult in these areas in particular? I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
Gina

[lockstock]

I've been applying for RTLB posts but it's difficult to focus on locations as well as teachers' resignation date timetables. For example, I can't resign now here in the UK until December 31st. Although I'll be available to start in the new NZ school year, I can't help thinking there's not many schools would take anyone on without a decent interview. I know there are people who have had phone interviews etc but it cuts boths ways, I'd like to get to know a bit about the school myself before I commit.

Keep checking the Education Gazette website for vacancies. The February batches should be coming through anytime now apparently.

[upnorthkyosa]

TeachNZ also has placement companies that will help you get a job. These companies focus primarily on schools and places that have had a very hard time filling teaching positions and keeping teachers. So keep that in mind.

[lockstock]

Yes, TeachNZ are good but, as you say, they have a somewhat limited clientel. I'm too l ong in the tooth to go into battle again. I'll probable go for relief teaching so i can get an idea of the schools before I start applying. At least you can pick or choose whether you want to work.

[Nick88]

My daughter's school is having a bit of a bad time with staff getting pregnant, and needing to replace them. Would like me to PM you their email address so you can ask how they recruit?

[Carey]

Hi Nick.
I've PM'ed you.

[krdk]

I am looking for a position as a secondary school counselor either in Auckland or in Hawke's Bay. I have only seen postings on Education Gazette. Does anyone know where else these are posted? TeachNZ seems only to have teaching positions.

Thanks!
Katie

[Nick88]

I'm not sure schools over here have counselors, There isn't really a big call for it.

I have sent info to Carey about schools local to me, one of which I know has been needing staff in the last year or so. Apparently they have not been advertising in the Educ Gaz. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the case with most of the jobs.

Personally I would identify areas and schools and send them a CV on the off chance they have a vacancy. If they know someone is leaving to start a family in 6 months things might be nicely timed, eh.

[ruthyroo]

I'm not sure schools over here have counselors, There isn't really a big call for it.

I have sent info to Carey about schools local to me, one of which I know has been needing staff in the last year or so. Apparently they have not been advertising in the Educ Gaz. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the case with most of the jobs.

Personally I would identify areas and schools and send them a CV on the off chance they have a vacancy. If they know someone is leaving to start a family in 6 months things might be nicely timed, eh.

Good advice above. Generally, schools here really lack staff on the pastoral care side - teachers tend to do the work of guidance staff and counsellors as well as teaching. I suspect only schools with real behavioural / discipline / social problems would employ counsellors - and that would likely be secondary schools in poorer areas. I suspect they would also be looking for specific experience with Maori / PI students as well.

Primary teaching is not on the shortage list, so you are up against all the NZ trained teachers for these posts. A lot of posts are filled by word of mouth. Relief teaching is a good way to get in with schools - you need to apply to individual schools to get on their relief lists (at least outwith the bigger cities). The OH has had 2-3 job offers as a result of long term relief teaching (he hasn't accepted any but that's another story!)

Secondary teaching certainly has shortages - but tend to be specific subjects (maths, english, physics, chemistry) and specific areas / schools (poorer, more social problems, higher staff turnover). You might want to bear that in mind when applying / interviewing.

Good luck all!

[Aussie Pom]

I think I shall get my form for registration filled out, pay my $120 and then once that is sorted send of my CV to schools near where we plan to live....once we have made that decision.
Gina

[Anna'n'John]

Hi, it's good to see others out there are struggling with one dilemma after another. I've been teaching for 13 years in mostly nursery and reception classes ( age 3 to 5 years) I'm also a trained Nursery Nurse (2 years extra training). However, my degree is for primary education (Infant). On the long skills jobs shortage list they are in need of Early Years educators, but they seem to have a three year training course specifically for Early years. Now all I've got to do is find out whether all my experience will be equivalent to their course. I'm very good at begging. I might just post my CV all over the place and see what happens. I do wonder if my salary will be a lot less because I will not be teaching in a school but in a nursery or Kindergarten.
Good luck all and if anyone hears of a job near Dunedin (where we are thinking of going, although haven't even done EOI yet) drop me a line. Anna

[ruthyroo]

Hi Anna

I think ECE is quite in demand here, especially for qualified teachers - certainly there are quite a few ads for such positions. Have you had your qualifications / experience assessed by NZQA yet? If you want to claim points for being on the skills shortage list, and if you want to teach here as a qualified ECE teacher (rather than an unqualified classroom assistant type position) you will need to have the formal NZQA assessment done.

I would suspect that the salary in ECE will be somewhat lower than pimary teaching, and it will be much lower if you can only apply for unqualified positions.

PS Dunedin is pretty competive for both primary and secondary teaching positions - popular area and lots of NQTs from the Uni. Relief teaching is one way to get your foot in the door.

Good luck

[Carey]

ECE qualified teachers hugely in demand, see my other post I've just written. Quliafied ECE are paid same as primary teachers. Loads of jobs going, everywhere but you ahve to have the one yr post grad diploma, and unless already have PR, have to pay international fees.

[akp713]

Hi everyone, it was mentioned earlier that there are certain secondary subjects that are in more demand. I will be attending either AUT or U of Auckland next year for a grad. diploma in teaching. My difficulty is that my BA is in history and thus my specialisation will be history/social studies. The educational gazette listed only 24 openings in te entire country for this position, and I will be first year teacher in 2009. In order to get PR before my student visa runs out I will need a job offer, but I am worried that it may be difficult. Does anyone notice schools having younger or newer teachers, or do they relegate newbies to substitute teaching as often happens in the states?

[Carey]

Adverts on Education Gazette sometimes say ' Not suitable for beginning teachers' or of course the opposite 'Suitable for beginning teachers'.
Oasis have good reputation for finding jobs in secondary in ACK area.

Good luck!

[willsken]

The school where I work took on 8 new teachers this year and 5 of them are beginning teachers. I'm sure it won't count against you. Some schools prefer to take them on as they are a "cheaper" option.

Also the school I work in has a guidance councilor on the school staff. :)