[LRachel]

Hi! My husband is a teacher here in the U.S. and we were curious if any other teachers in New Zealand could answer a question for us. We were wondering if the workload is a lot more, less or about the same? :confused: My husband doesn't mind extra work, but sometimes it gets ridiculous here with coaches meetings, coaching, parent meetings, etc..... all after hours of course. Just wondering if others could share their teaching experiences with us. Any information would be greatly appreciated about the New Zealand school system and any insights you may have. Thanks. :)
Leslie

[wanderingoregonian]

I wish I had something concrete to share. I visited one school and chatted with some parents with school aged kids on my last trip to NZ.

I also work in schools, but as a speech therapist, and completely understand your comments about workload. I did ask NZ speech therapists about workload and they seemed surprised at my tales of what it can be like in the states. I can't speak for teachers, but it seem a little less overwhelming in NZ. I didn't get the sense of teachers working another full workday after hours as I often see here in the states.

also - have you checked out http://www.teachnz.govt.nz/

also http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/ - lists all the schools in a searchable database

[LRachel]

Thanks for the reply. It's nice to know some more information about what it's actually like teaching and what the work load is. I'm hoping as I get farther along in the process I'll get more information. I'll share anything I find. :yes
Leslie

[Carol]

I am a primary school teacher....sorry but no - the situation is no different.
IU regularly work until after 6pm and then bring work home too.

It is a very very demanding job - just like anywhere else.

[ruthyroo]

Agree with Carol 100%. My OH is a secondary teacher. He has been working 7.45 to 4pm every day in school, then at least another 2-3 hours each night and pretty much all of Sunday. Also all the usual extra school events - parents contact evenings, reports, development work, trips, fundraising events blah blah. Still the same expectation that you will jump to cover whatever new task is asked of you on a Friday afternoon to be handed in on Monday 'for the good of the kids / school'.

Thank god for the holidays!

[Carol]

Oh yes - I forgot about Sundays.


Who would be a teacher?


ah well........7 WEEKS HOLIDAY NOW!!!!!!!!!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
:cheers :cheers :cheers

[tonyb]

Hi all,

im glad i found this thread. i have a question i hope someone can answer.
my wife , myself and the kids hope to be in NZ by Aug next year. I already have 3 job offers (im a qualified mental health nurse). My wife also wants to work. She works in teaching, however she is not a qualified teacher. In the UK she is a Higher Teaching assistant working with special needs children. She is classed as an unqualified teacher in the uk. She actually takes classes of up to 20. She studied and gained a two year Higher National Certificate in learning support to be able to take up the post. She is looking to secure a similar post in NZ and would like to know what would be the equivilent grade / in NZ and what level of salary should could expect to receive.

I hope someone can help as this would give us some sort of idea as to what we could afford with regard to house prices .

Thanks

Tony