[lisaandmatt]

Hi there - Matt and I have just applied to EOI and received 140 points, awaiting to hear on the 14th June. Just wondered if there is anyone else out there doing the same?

I am a teacher and am unsure when to apply to teaching council etc, can anyone advise please?

Should I have completed the NZQA before the EOI? really worried about this part after reading all your info

My husband is a carpenter so seeking work also so any advise also would be so much appreciated.

Thanks

Lisa and Matt

[dusk]

Hello and welcome :)

there's a few teachers on the forum so I'm sure they will advise on the best way of going about things :)

[napiers]

I'd recommend getting your stuff off to NZQA asap. I've already got PR so left the NZQA till later and sent it off 6 weeks ago. It got there fast because they took my money!! but I still hadn't heard anything from them so I rang them on Monday morning. They told me I should have heard something from them and gave me my application number. They said it looked like all the paperwork was there and that it would be at least another 2 weeks until an evaluator picked it up for assessment - and then it's all got to be checked. You need the NZQA assessment before getting teacher registration too. I'm just hoping it won't take forever - I don't know if anyone else has gone for NZQA/teacher reg recently and how long it's taken them. I can't comment on what order you should have done other stuff in as I got PR through the partnership route. Good luck.

[flames]

I'd apply as soon as possible, although if your EOI is successful then they'll need to see the same documents. Have you had your quals assessed by NZQA already? That was the bit that took the time for me.
For teacher registration I had to send : certified copies of my qualifications (I got my headmaster to sign these), certified copies of the NZQA assessment (in fact the NZQA sent a copy directly to the GTC) and police certificate and a copy. They keep hold of the stuff you send and don't accept normal photocopies unless certified from what I remember.
If you've already got your NZQA assessment done then thats good, otherwise you'll find the same lot of cerificates and evidence have to be sent with your application to NZ immigration.

[napiers]

I'd apply as soon as possible, although if your EOI is successful then they'll need to see the same documents. Have you had your quals assessed by NZQA already? That was the bit that took the time for me.
For teacher registration I had to send : certified copies of my qualifications (I got my headmaster to sign these), certified copies of the NZQA assessment (in fact the NZQA sent a copy directly to the GTC) and police certificate and a copy. They keep hold of the stuff you send and don't accept normal photocopies unless certified from what I remember.
If you've already got your NZQA assessment done then thats good, otherwise you'll find the same lot of cerificates and evidence have to be sent with your application to NZ immigration.

Hi flames, and apologies to lisaandmatt for jumping in on this thread - hopefully it's relevant to you too. Can I just ask how long the NZQA & teacher reg bit took for you? It would mean that I can just put it to the back of my mind for abit. Also I need to get a new police cert but don't want to do this until I'm nearer sending off for teacher reg. Did you need to get hold of additional info or did they ask places directly? I had a transcript for my 1st degree but they don't do one for my PGCE so I had a letter from the College verifying my attendance etc. Have you any idea how deep they dug?

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Hello and welcome.

[flames]

OK - it went a bit like this:
20th July - Sent off stuff to NZQA (big delay because I hadn't given transcripts for BSc AND PGCE and they didn't let me know for a couple of months)
20th NOV - NZQA assessment done!
11th Dec EOI selected on 115points, no job offer
27th Dec - Invitation to apply (Christmas/ New year hols slowed things up)
8th Feb Application considered for residence visa (ie assigned a case officer)
22nd April (approved - after a telephone interview, heard a few days later)

So a bit of a mission

[flames]

I had a transcript for my 1st degree but they don't do one for my PGCE so I had a letter from the College verifying my attendance etc. Have you any idea how deep they dug?

I didn't know I could get a transcript for my PGCE until I called the Uni and asked for one, and it basically broke down the course - the assignments you do, how many days placement and that it was a full time course. UEA seemed used to being asked for these and sent me two copies.

[napiers]

Thanks for that - it helps give an idea. Looks like I'll be hanging around for them to get some sort of transcript for my PGCE then!! But when I spoke to the college in the early stages of this whole 'adventure' they said they didn't provide anything like that so it could take ages ..... :roll

[flames]

and be careful - its a police certificate they want (police national computer check), not the usual policecheck used by schools and everyone else!!

[Leanne]

Hello and welcome to the fourm.
:)

[icemaiden]

Hi Lisa - it also depends partly on when you want to begin teaching in New Zealand. The various stages are quite time consuming. I have sent off for NZQA before submitting the EOI but that's only because our timescale allows us some breathing space. The other thing about the NZ assessment is that you have a much stronger case applying for jobs remotely if you have your qualifications already assessed - at least then they know you're really serious. When are you thinking of making the move?

[Red Devil]

Hello Lisa & Matt, welcome to the forum

and be careful - its a police certificate they want (police national computer check), not the usual policecheck used by schools and everyone else!!

Yep, they're now recommending obtaining a certificate from the ACPO, click here (http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp) for details.

Good luck with everything :nice1

[lisaandmatt]

Thanks for the help - Im still not sure what this NZQA thing is? When I completed the EOI about my qualifications I listed my BSC(HONS) degree as a level 7 but did not have the assessment code or reference no. this I am assuming is the NZAQ, will my application be rejected then? I definitely knew the level. There was not any refernce codes to my PGCE tho that was needed? Is anyone able to clarify this with me?

You are also saying for me to do the NZQA now, should I not wait and see if my EOI is successful first? Also how much does it cost to do?

Thanks again

[icemaiden]

Lisa - I filled out the EOI at the week-end but won't submit it until the NZQA comes back. So far as I could see, because I had chosen the box that said NZQA had not yet verified my qualifications, I couldn't be credited with those qualifications for points purposes. I am, therefore, assuming that I have to wait until the NZQA does its bit. However, you can get an assessment for emigration purposes only and this costs NZ$75 - it takes about four weeks (supposedly). Because we need the full assessment as teachers, I just thought that I might as well go the whole hog and get the full verification done now to save paying an extra NZ$75 that I don't need to.

Are you in a real hurry to get your EOI submitted or can you wait for at least assessment verification. You can submit a fast track application to NZQA also if that's any help.

[icemaiden]

Sorry, I should have said that NZQA full assessment costs NZ$486 - that includes the courier fee for your return documents. (... and that's not fast track, which is extra!). Have a look at the NZQA website - it's fairly comprehensive and quite easy to navigate around.

[StevieD]

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

[lisaandmatt]

The problem is I have already submitted the EOI?

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome.





Suzanne.

[lisaandmatt]

Summer 09 hopefully, I was hoping that if my qualifications needed verification whilst they were analysing EOI then they would ask me to do this for the next stage - fingers crossed!! I just do not want to pay out for all these things if we do not get through!!

My major concern is selling my house - when to put it up for sale etc. THis house scare is crazy!!

Do you know of anyone who has not had their qualifications verified and put them into their EOI?

when are you thinking of going?

[lisaandmatt]

Summer 09 hopefully, I was hoping that if my qualifications needed verification whilst they were analysing EOI then they would ask me to do this for the next stage - fingers crossed!! I just do not want to pay out for all these things if we do not get through!!

My major concern is selling my house - when to put it up for sale etc. THis house scare is crazy!!

Do you know of anyone who has not had their qualifications verified and put them into their EOI?

when are you thinking of going?

Just checked and I studied my degree at Cardiff Uni and that has already been verified by the NSAQ that is why I did not do it for the EOI application - can anyone advise me if this has been done correctly as I still have time to edit it before the 14th June.

Thanks
Lisa

[Carey]

The problem is that you will not be offered any job by a school in NZ if you are not regisitered and to be registered you need to have the NZQA assessment. But this will be clear if you're selected; however it can take quite a while for NZQA to process so may be better to get on wiht it sooner rather than later?

[icemaiden]

Hi again Lisa - We're also planning either summer 09 or the end of December 09. As Carey says above, no school will consider you without the NZQA and NZ Teaching Council registration so it is as well to get it started really. If you are sure you have 140 points then as a teacher in a shortage area you really shouldn't have a problem in getting your PR approved. Grit your teeth (:wah) and look on it as an investment. With 140 points your EOI will selected immediately I believe, and you'll then have to start the NZQA process anyway.

When to sell the house? Well, that's another deal entirely at the moment. We're in the same position. If we sell it too soon then we end up in a rental which we don't want; if we leave it too late, then trouble, because we really don't want to leave without it being sold. Hope this helps a little. What's your subject, and where are you planning to head to?

[lisaandmatt]

Thanks for that. Yes awaiting a reply now, think the next draw is 14th? From reading the previous quotes it all takes such a long time.

So are you agreeing that my EOI should be ok is my uni is previously assessed - I realise I will still have to do the NSQA thing for a job?

I teach secondary Maths and am second in department so looking for something along those lines again? I have no idea of the structure of schemes of work etc, in NZ so will have to start investigating. I have been told by a friend already there to apply in Sept. My husband is a carpenter so he is looking to start up over there on his own if possible.

I have looked into Hawke's Bay and Wellington, Im not that choosy to be honest so long as we are there. Ideally want something really rural and quiet.
Planning on taking our dogs too if possible so if anyone has gone through that procedure already then please let me know!

What part of the UK are you from and what do you teach?

As for the house crisis that is my most scary part. We are literally just remortgaging our house as our fixed term has come to an end. We have had to choose one with no exit fees as most want about 5% if we end early which is crazy!! We looked into renting it out but dont think we would get enough to cover the mortgage and to be honest dont want to burden anyone with the responsibility. Really worried and unsure when to advertise it tho as at this rate nothing is selling and knowing our luck it would sell early and leave us in rented which we dont want.

How many points do you think you will have on the EOI form?

Another scary thing is the cost of all the application/medical process as we are truly skint at the moe as recently got married!!

[napiers]

I can totally empathise with you about the whole house thing - we're in a similar dilemma. We're hoping to head out January 2009 or most likely April/May time and the house will be a big factor. We're trying to get it 'prepared' for putting on the market later in the year! Seems like there's a few of us teachers heading away .... Good luck with all the assessments and it's nice to know that there are others in a similar situation, or who've been through it recently. I guess I just have to wait for NZQA to plough through the paperwork, perhaps I could pre-warn the college I did my PGCE at so that they are prepared to be asked for a transcript. Would it be worth while? And regarding police certificates - does anyone know how long the ACPO (or whatever they're called) ones are valid for? Thanks.

[icemaiden]

:(The whole house thing is really worrying generally and I think we're all in the same boat although I don't envy you the remortgaging thing. The only upside to the whole falling prices scenario is that the prices in NZ are falling too and on a particular plus side the exchange rate is starting to get better: it was 2.60 today as opposed to 2.51 this time last week. Lisa - its worth looking around at medical costs because there seems to be quite a range of charges - have a look at some of the medical forums on here. I think we have 130 points at present (I'm almost 49 and points get lost as you become older :( ), but hey, you're never too old for a new adventure. I teach English in Lincolnshire and am a HOY so it would be nice also to get something similar, with responsibility points thrown in.

Napier - you might want to get in touch with your old college asap as when I got my PGCE transcript it was the only document like that which had to be paid for £10. It's just something else that will seem to hold up the NZQA process - and from what I read on these forums it doesn't seem to take much to do that.

Looks like there might be a mass exodous of teachers leaving next year!!

Fingers crossed everything works out for all of us.

[lisaandmatt]

Hi there again, I contacted my Universtity today where I did my PGCE and asked for a transcript - they said they did not have one and would compose for me a letter - does anyone know what is needed in this letter to avoid further delays?

Thanks

[dilanium]

Hello and welcome. :) No advise, but I see you're already getting loads.

[icemaiden]

Lisa - it is a breakdown of the modules you did and it will usually state your pass marks, etc. They just want to verify that your PGCE provider meets all their requirements. It's essentially the same as the transcript for your main University degree. I'm not sure why they can't provide a transcript for you because they know the elements of the course and all your grades.

[lisaandmatt]

THanks will phone them again today - on my PGCE there was either a pass or fail mark nothing else. I went on the NZQA yesterday do I need to downlaod the application for immigration people and fill that in?

How did you go about doing your?
The web page isnt that clear. Did you post all your documentation?
Not sure what really is needed to be unsure. Think Im going to hear from the EOI tomorrow or it might be Monday otherwise?

All getting so tense!!

Do I also need to get my husbands carpentry qualifications verified with the NZQA?

Thanks so much for all your help!!

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome.





Suzanne.

[icemaiden]

Print off the NZQA form and fill in the hard copy. You then need all your documentation:

GCSE and A level certificates
Degree certificate
PGCE certificate
Transcript of University Degree
Transcript of PGCE Certificate
Letters from ALL your previous headteachers stating when you worked there and that you were employed as a full-time teacher.
Your marriage certificate if your degree/pgce certs are in your maiden name
Your GTC registration document
Your certificate with your QTS number on it

I think that's all. You don't need your husband's qualifications assessed by NZQA unless you want to claim points for them - then I think you only need the pre-assessment thing done, which you can do online? Did you include your husband's qualifications in your EOI submission? If not, and you have the 140 points based on your application alone, then you don't need to bother at all.

[lisaandmatt]

Thanks for all that help - Im trying to get some of the paperwork done ready whilst waiting for my EOI to come back - think its this Wednesday!!

My husband is a carpenter and I put him into the EOI but dont think he achieved any points for qualifications just work experience in a shortage area. Not sure how we go about claiming that.

What stage are you at now? or should I guess - the waiting stage!!!!

[lisaandmatt]

Hi Napiers - I have contacted my PGCE course and have asked them to provide me with a transcript - they said there was not one so they are composing a letter stating the modules taken and length of study etc. I am now waiting response for EOI - have you submitted yours? I am starting to get together all the paper work for the NZQA assessment so that I can apply for jobs etc.

What area of teaching are you in and UK? Have you any idea where you want to go in NZ? We are looking into Hawke's Bay.

Lisa

[Nat Packer]

Hello
I was just reading about your situation. I am also in a similar position. I am a teacher, getting married in July and we are hoping to move around summer 2009 also. I am trying to find out as much information as I can now so it's easier when we do apply. I've quit my job and will just be doing supply until we go so we can be more flexible. I have 4 years experience and hopefully will reach 140 points. We have no idea where we are going to go but will wait until OH gets a job (hopefully government) and then I will teach where his job is based.

Nat

[Spooky]

Since there's a thread on teacher qualifications, thought I'd jump on the bandwagon.

I am claiming points for work experience in an area of shortage (education) because I am a qualified teacher. However I do not actually intend to work in schools. I am hoping to get a job in a polytechnic or university. Does anyone know if I will still need to get my teaching qualifications assessed by NZQA?

[JandM]

However I do not actually intend to work in schools. I am hoping to get a job in a polytechnic or university. Obviously there are all sorts of jobs anyone can do in a polytechnic or university, but if you're talking about being a lecturer, wouldn't your teaching qualifications be necessary for that?

[Spooky]

Obviously there are all sorts of jobs anyone can do in a polytechnic or university, but if you're talking about being a lecturer, wouldn't your teaching qualifications be necessary for that?

I am not sure about NZ's system. In many places I know, you don't need to be a qualified teacher (as in getting a teaching diploma) in order to teach in universities/ polytechnics. Many of the lecturers are straight from the industry or have gone from post-grad to research straight away. I wonder if in NZ, you do need to be a qualified teacher in order to lecture.

[JandM]

I am not sure about NZ's system. In many places I know, you don't need to be a qualified teacher (as in getting a teaching diploma) in order to teach in universities/ polytechnics. Many of the lecturers are straight from the industry or have gone from post-grad to research straight away. I wonder if in NZ, you do need to be a qualified teacher in order to lecture.I don't actually KNOW this, either. All I can add is that, this last short while, everyone lecturing in FE and HE establishments in the UK has been required to register with a new body, the Institute for Learning. (Excuse me if you've come across this info already.) It's a real Big Brother thing, adding yet another layer of form-filling to all the bureaucracy we were living with anyway. One of the things it does is ask about teaching credentials, and depending on what they are (or if someone doesn't have any), award a different level of membership. The writing appears to be on the wall - it's not going to be long before the lower-level members won't get certain jobs or certain pay-scales. Also, the application forms when I went to lecture at a particular college two years ago had a space for applying to do in-service teaching training if you didn't already have a qualification. So it wouldn't surprise me if NZ had something similar - they seem to be very protectionist about school teaching, not recognizing certain foreign degrees and certificates which are quite high-level in their own countries.

I haven't heard of anybody on the forum who's already lecturing in NZ, but maybe someone will show up with some answers. Anyway, good luck.