[tezzasaurus]

Hi folks,

Received a lot of help on the site recently with a query (much appreciated), and I was wondering if anyone could help me with an issue re secondary teachers' salaries.

I am in the process of getting my UK qualifications assessed by NZQA, but it is a slow process and am still waiting. In the meantime, I read the formal NZ pay scales, but, to be honest they are quite difficult to understand and apply.

I have an M.A (Hons) in my teaching subject (History), a PGCE, and five years of teaching exerience. All very 'normal'. I was wondering if anyone was in a similar situation when they moved to NZ, and, if so, (roughly) what salary you received.

Sorry for being nosey, but would be very grateful for a rough idea. Ball parks would be fine.

Do you teachers in NZ have a decent standard of living? In the Times Educational Supplement, there are a few posts from teachers saying how they were forced to return to the UK from NZ because of the high cost of living and shockingly low salaries. Of course, they might all just drive Jaguars, eat caviar, and have weekly Botox... and that's why they struggled? :D

[lockstock]

With a masters degree you should start at just over $50,000. There's extra for responsibilty units and service. But beware, NZQA's assessment is fine to get you into the country on a visa, necessary to get teacher registration but not enough for the jobsworths in teachers' salaries to assess what your salary will be. For the first month I was paid the basic rate of $27,000 (about £11,000). It's creeping up but I have had to produce every single document and letter I already sent to the NZQA for assessment.

As far as comparisons are concerned I estimate I will end up on about 50% of what I was earning in the UK (not countiing management points etc) So I can see that it may put some off. Cost of living is waht you make it really. We're no extravangant but we have had foar to many vidits to the dentist over the past couple of months for my liking!

[peebles16]

And obviously you got your catalogue teeth in for spelling tonight lockstock :D

Sorry made me :laugh

Karenx

[lockstock]

:o :o er, not up to my usual standard. Twas the beers after work!

[Susan&Dennis]

I found somewhere on the web a NZ teachers' salary calculator--an Excel document that doesn't want to upload, unfortunately, or I'd send it along--nor do I have the original web address. Yes, that's bad, bad documentation! Do a Google search. It's a good point that pay is determined individually once you begin, but it's helpful to have a general idea to start with. Best, Susan