Unleash One.... What about Visas? Is a working
holiday Visa suitable for this? I've tried to make sense of the Visa
information on the government's website, but failed so far.
What experiences have other people had getting
VISA’s to work as a governess or nanny in Australia
Would love to hear others
stories and experiences.
We came from New Zealand and
NZ and Australia have an agreement that NZ citizens can work in oz, we get a
special category visa stamped on our passport when we come in , no need to
apply for it b4 hand.We worked on NT stations for 3 years.
I had a working holiday visa
and it was fine but the problem is that you can only work for a family for 6
months, which kinda sucked.. i would love to have stayed for longer but even
though i was eligble for my 2nd year i still couldn't keep working for my
family :( a bit annoying but i still had an amazing time in the 6 months i was
there :D
The station next door have
some Irish teachers as their govies this year, but I think they only stayed for
three months maximum? Not sure though sorry. We have had others that work as
gardeners and govies and in the stockcamp
I came out on an working
holiday visa. Technically you can only work with a family for 6 months but
there are ways around it. If you are employed by the family and they have more
than one abn number they can change to pay you through that abn after 6 months.
If you are paid through in home care you can apply to change the income care
centre the family goes through. I was lucky enough to get sponsored as a
teacher by my family and have worked with them for the last two and a half
years. It's a great way to familiarise yourself with the curriculum over here.
Unleash Two... Can someone like me (teacher from England
i'm from denmark
Bauer lots of people want
govies at different times, maybe another govie didn't work out, or if they can
get someone for at least part of the year, then that is better than not at all.
Yes there are always
families looking for govies
If you are travelling on a
working holiday visa you can work on an abn number for the maximum of 6 months.
However if you are getting on very well with your family there are ways to get
around this. If you are being paid through in home care you just have to change
the in home care centre the family goes through. As soon as you get in the
country try and organise your blue card (working with children card) or the
equivalent for the state you chose to work in. As a teacher you should get a
govie job with ease.
Unleash Three... I don't have very much experience of
teaching children under 10 years old, will that matter? (I enjoy working with
them, just don't have much experience!).
Nope! Just keep an open mind
and don't be afraid to ask the kids if there is something better you could be
doing or ask how the school room could be improved. They'll appreciate that you
asked for their opinions and you know how they are feeling!
as above!! I had no
experience when I first started teaching my girls, I just went with the flow
pretty much and worked it out as I went along
Just go with it. With what
you feel and most of all make it fun
Unleash Four... What ways do different school
communities communicate with each other? Our school community group is looking
at online communication such as websites, blogs, fb group/pages, twitter, etc.
We want to know how others communicate and share so we can introduce different
ways. Try to use methods which are effective. Does every still have weekly Home
Tutor sessions? I know due to timing being after school it is hard to attend as
a teaching mum.
Morning notices over the
phone each morning plus an email version, facebook support group for home
tutors, home tutor discussions at clusters & other organised school days,
home tutor workshop 1 week/year, started out with HT sessions at the beginning
on the year but they have drifted off. We get very comprehensive notes for each
unit from the child's teacher though and lots of emailed info.
we use a portal, which
everyone logs into with a password. We don't have home tutor sessions. The
school that my oldest daughter in year 11 attends, send emails and a
newsletter.
Unleash Five... I'm very nervous about heading out to
my new job. I'm 20 and always lived in a town. What sort of things should I
organise to take? What is the thing you enjoy most about living in the outback?
I can't comment on coming
from a town because I'm a farm girl, but the outback gets in your blood. There
is just something about being out here :) This is my first year as a Govie and
I'm just loving it. I love the open space (I mean we had it at home but its
just different!) and the fact I can get myself into such a good routine, but
then you have days where its like "Actually because we finished our work,
lets go for a picnic" and then heading out into the middle of nowhere to
the most amazing spots :) I love riding horses so going out with the kids on their
ponies is something I absolutely love :) But I would take lots of movies/ TV
series for when you just need to chill, or doing study or something at the same
time would work really well. Goodluck!
Think about your hobby, what
you do to relax, unwind and take the things you need. For me I love to cook as
bake so recipe books. I also like to paint so all those supplies. DVDs and
books - unless you could borrow from the family. Also keep in mind that you
will have a major centre near you to use the library (which out if broken hill
they send you books in the mail) also often a big w to get resources an
supplies. It really depends what your bosses are supplying you with, so do you
need to bring bedding, kitchenware, things like that. If not go your hardest on
everything that will keep you entertained (including phone and laptop of
there's phone and Internet coverage). Dont forget photos, posters, wall art and
little accessories to make your room/cottage/house feel like your home! Hope
this gets you thinking in the right direction.
I am from Adelaide
Be prepared to be flexible!
Things change in an instant out here - example our bore has blown here and
things have just turned to total mayhem! Our phone usage for schoolroom is very
limited, workers coming and going, family and friends out to help etc etc.
I also have a lot of things from home here.
Special things just to make it more 'my space' in my cottage. I have teddies,
photos, books, dvds, iPod dock etc.
If you will be outside and able to help in the
yards have jeans you are prepared to only want to use outside (think dirty,
smelly, hot conditions), long sleeve shirts (for sun protection) and sturdy
boots.
I never let anything run out - loo paper,
deodorant very important! You never know when weather changes and you can't get
to town or you may only do very infrequent trips to town!
I have always lived close to town but on an
acerage where i am from and it is very different living out here! I love it
though! Most people are very friendly and I have very much become part of the
family I work for. (kids include me in who is in my family lists etc) when I
went home in the holidays I seriously missed here!
So I might end my essay here but goodluck! Add
me as a friend (send inbox so I know govie related) if you'd like to chat more!
I'd be happy to help!
I grew up in town and moved
two states to start a job as a govie. I took my own personal stuff, like above,
but also a few books to read to the kids. I would suggest some stickers/rewards
to start the school year off with motivation. If you don't know something,
ask!!! Even if you have to work out who is the best person to ask, do ask.
There is nothing worse than doing something and feeling like a total dork
because you got it all mixed up and about face.
Depending on where you are
going, and if its anywhere like the gulf, make sure you pack some nice clothes-
heels and dresses. There is nothing like getting dressed up, even if your just
going to dinner with the rest of the staff. This is my 3rd year up here and I
regret my first year because i didnt bring nearly as many nice clothes as i
could have! also don't be nervous. country people will generally be the most
friendly and helpful people in the world. ask as many questions as you can,
most people will like that you are taking an interest in what they do. have
fun!!!!! make the most of it!
I love the space, watching
the change of seasons, being involved and the people. A camera, jeans, boots,
hat, comfortable clothing for the season, things that can get dirty (no white),
stuff to wear to the races, any hobbies, books ... most of all enthusiasm and a
willingness to give anything a go. Don't worry to much about it just bring some
things that you love to decorate your space a bit but otherwise there is always
online shopping. We've all been there, whether you are from the country or city
it is nerve wracking starting a new job with people you are unfamiliar with.
Just be yourself and have a ball.
Hi, I'm also 20 and was
feeling the same as you 3 weeks ago. I have been here for nearly 3 weeks and I
love it and the family are great. I second what everybody else has said re what
to pack.
I grew up in Adelaide
I enjoy the open spaces,
friendly people and the variety in the work. When new people come to work here,
we are always happy to help them out and answer their questions. As long as you
are yourself and genuine, and have a positive attitude it all should be good.
Outback people make
entertainment out of anything
Unleash Six... Do you have a trick or particular way
that really works for you in regards to teaching times tables? The 2 out of my
3 kids struggle and I am tired of the same old worksheets.
Most teachers that I talk to
just say practice, practice, practice... it is boring but seems to be the only
way to learn them. there are lots of websites that help as well
http://www.multiplication.com/ this is one that my kids
love.www.multiplication.com
www.multiplication.com
www.multiplication.com -
activities, games, worksheets to help teach the multiplication facts.
Take it outside the class
room. Sort nuts and bolts in the shed, chickens into pens, show them the
practical use of the maths. Used what interests them. It doesn't all have to be
worksheet learning.
I really like to push the
cheats way of working them out. Sometimes it gives the kids a bit of a boost of
confidence. Other than that..you are right with the practise. I once had a year
6 who struggled, repetition helped.
I'm only teaching kindy but
they're pushing with our kids that they have to know the foundations, as in
truly understanding numbers, before anything else will come. So double check
they understand numbers in themselves maybe??
A sing along CD helped me in
primary school :)
mmmm if you know, tell me
pleeeeeease!! Some people I have met swear by patterns, but I must be the least
patterned person in the world 'cause I couldn't work it out, LOL, rote learning
is the way I think
You tube has lots of
different ways, songs, raps. Just google anything on you tube and you can find
anything. Kids story books. Counting. So much more.
It depends on the age group,
but I have a year 8 student, and we play Uno, doing the multiplications of the
card they put down and the previous one just as a fun maths warm-up. It has
made the times tables a lot quicker when applying them in other situations. :)
STRATEGIES. x4 means double
double. x8 means double double double. x7 means x5 + x2 so if you wanted to
work out 6 x 7 you would do 6 x 5 and add that to 6 x 2
I wish someone had taught me
like that when I was at school!!!
Rote learning also helps,
but if you know what the times tables MEAN, you can think about them. Start
with doubles, then fives. x3 is just doubles plus another set. x6 is just x5
plus another set. x9 is the finger trick, and then you've got most of the facts
covered.
I made up a outdoor games
called timetables rugby worked a charm
My 6 year old knows them
from a cd. Pm if you like and I can send you a copy. Also my 3 year old knows
her 2,3,5,7 times tables from listening as well.
Unleash Seven... Will the fact that I'm a teacher put
people off? (I realise that the pupils belong to Schools of the Air and so
already have a 'teacher' and that the govie doesn't decide what the children
have to do each term).
Definitely not!! They will
love it! You may not decide what the kids learn (which really just takes the
boring bit out of being a teacher :P) but you are the one to teach it, so if
you are a teacher they will absolutely love it! :)
Lots of families, many of
those with multi age school rooms advertise for teachers...
A lot of people chase
teachers!
go for it and enjoy :)
Bauer some people prefer a
qualified teacher, but you won't get paid the same wages as you will in a
school. I think as long as you have enthusiasm and are genuine with the kids
anyone will get on good
most people would love a
qualified teacher on hand, someone with background knowledge of education. You
will still have to conform to the schools curriculum and only get govie pay but
there are tonnes of upsides like a small class.
I'm more worried about being
a MOTHER who is a teacher. I have to work in a nearby community school while my
kids do School of the AIr with a govie - wish I could teache them myself but I
need to work for $$. So I am always worried that I give too much advice or am
overly careful not to put pressure on our govie... I still like to help prepare
the work though?
I guess if your govie is
happy with you helping, that's ok, it is a two way street Kate
.
The majority of teaching
happens in the schoolroom rather than on air. For that reason with qualified
teacher on your cv you'll be snapped up quickly.
Unleash Eighth... What equipment do you think a
schoolroom needs? We are just setting ours up and have an open budget as it
will be used for many years to come.
Loads of games, card games,
board games, puzzles, boggle, jenga etc
I love small plastic
rectangular containers which you can stack with all the different maths
equiptment. Clear containters. Whiteboard.
Shelving and boxes!! Storage
is key. And loads of colored paper, craft gear. A laminator!!!!!!!!!!!!! And
laminating sheets of course. And... Stamps and stickers to give to the kids as
soon as they finish their work because waiting 2 weeks - 2 months until the
school work is returned and the reward comes is waaaaay too long for most kids
lots of arts and craft and
paper of various sizes...imagination rules!! :)
MAB blocks, adjustable
height desks with tidy trays, linking cubes, letter bricks, art and craft
supplies, storage containers, 100's board, posters, word walls, books, blakes
guides to everything (maths, spelling, english etc)
Photocopier and pigeon holes
made my life do much easier this year
TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS TOYS!!!!
board games, counters of different types (little animals, australian toy money,
plastic bugs, 5 prong jacks, bouncy balls, marbles, tooth picks, paddle pop
sticks - concrete materials are key!) then some more toys, a few more board
games, and agreed with Kim, arts and crafts galore!!! - don't forget things
like stencils, stamps, glitter, PVA glue, different implements for painting
(sponges, brushes, etc) and play dough!!! always have play dough!
If you can't afford a
photocopier, I use the sota supplied scanner and printer to copy ;)
lots of tables!!!! if you
can get the boarding school style ones, which is a desk and a set of shelves on
top, like a cubicle, they would be realy good for each child.
comfortable adjustable
chairs, we bought ours through an office supplies so they posted them to us.
Lots of area to display work. Curtains to cut direct sunlight but not too heavy
to make it too dark. A couple of bean bags or big cushions for comfy reading
spots. We always used lots of coloured paper, glue and paint in the earlier years.
A set of balance scales, we made ours with a coathanger and two icecream
containers hanging from string off each end. Kitchen measuring cups were also
something we used heaps of and lots of recycled containers as some of the maths
was, how much water do you think this container will hold, will it be more or
less than this one etc etc. Also with younger kids, lots of recycled containers
for construction. We use the styrofoam trays that meat comes on for paint trays
and once they get a bit ordinary you can ditch them and margarine containers
for holding feathers, glitter etc. And most importantly I think, if you have an
open budget, a good heating/cooling system to make sure the kids have a
comfortable environment to work in.
Most schools supply MABs,
unifix blocks, counters, an abacus and geo board, so I would check first. My
laminator gets used an awful lot, and I would also suggest a world globe,
calculator, good quality stapler (that can staple 50+ sheets), a big sticky
tape dispenser, hot glue gun, white board markers, permanent markers, pastels,
high lighters, how to draw books, cork board or netting for displays, display
folders, poster paper, games like scrabble and monopoly, a kids dictionary and
govie dictionary, and a heap of books. With your printer, laminator, piles of
blu-tack, you can create a lot of your own posters and resources.
LOTS of art stuff - like a
kid in a candy shop!
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