[Carey]

After reading this old post, I'm now getting very worried:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=11476

Are there any primary teachers who are teahcing now in NZ and could tell me what it's really like? OK I know individual schools vary greatly but is it as bad/difficult, as it sounded for Amy? I recall Carol saying teaching was very demanding and I 'm not expecting it to be drastically different to here in UK, but would love a true picture.

[kowhai]

I am not a teacher , however I appreciate your concerns, and as no one else has left a comment...

I do think you need to ask yourself " Why am I being offered a teaching position at this particular school, in this particular location? " ( Auckland )

Iam happy to be proven wrong, but from discussions I have had with teachers, there are supposedly , plenty of primary trained teachers in NZ. If this is indeed correct , then why is this school/ part of Auckland, having to employ teachers from overseas ?

My own children’s primary school has recently employed three new New Zealand graduates. In the time I have been associated with the school, the teachers have left for only two reasons : pregnancy and retirement. I can honestly say its a happy school filled with ( seemingly ) happy teachers. Out of a staff of approx 16 teachers, only two are originally from overseas , they have been at the school about 10 years.

Specialist teachers ie maths and the sciences at secondary school level are in demand, and Im sure these teachers have a good choice of schools and locations.

Personally I would be digging fairly deeply before travelling all this way. If you know the name of the school , google the Education Review Office ( ERO ) , and follow the links.

I don’t wish to discourage you at all - just take care and continue to research as well as you can. Hopefully a teacher, or two , will be along shortly to better advise.

[tea drinker]

Ive read somewhere (think on this forum homepage) that Auckland are desperately short of experienced Primary teachers. There are plenty of 'beginner' teachers and the workload of exp. teachers has increased to cover this
Please bear in mind that Ive never taught in NZ...yet
Looking forward to comments from teachers in NZ!

[kowhai]

Just heard a report on NZ National radio that 95% of all NZ primary schools are fully staffed - admittedly relying on new graduates. The remaining 5 % are having difficulty even finding relieving teachers. You have to wonder why ?