Primary Getting a PE job is ridiculously hard at primary level...

[jefffff34]

...Well it is.

I decided to leave my current job at a school in a not particularly great area of Melbourne for a number of reasons, amongst these were...

• Time to commute to and from work
• Facilities
• Structure of my classes

Overall, the staff are pretty cool, I've made good friends and all that sort of thing, and from seeing the written reflections by most of the students, I have made a positive contribution to the school, and it's students. Having said that I decided it was time to try to get something closer to home (one day it took me two hours on the road to get to work).

As we know, most primary schools have one PE teacher. Going from my knowledge of my previous school, most jobs get around 30-50 applicants. Realistically, that's a 2-4% chance of getting that job.

I haven't been able to set myself up with something for the start of next year. It sucks. Teaching in Victoria stinks. Half the jobs I'm wasting my time applying for aren't even available, they are just there for people to go through all the red tape for someone that is already in there.

There aren't many other professions where it is so hard to get an ongoing job, and your life has some sort of structure about it.

So much for the shortage of teachers...

 

[treeman]

It is no different in SA mate. Keep at it though, something will eventuate.

 

[iDon]

My course (year above) have all graduated with the intention of becoming secondary PE teachers. There is no jobs really going and so far there has been 8 or 9 take Primary jobs. PLenty out there according to them, or they could've got lucky.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

I left PE a year ago for a classroom... You're a year to late, depending on your location.

 

[Stradic]

Everyone wants to teach PE, that is your problem, supply outweighs demand.

If you wanted to teach Math or Science you would have job offers coming from everywhere.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

I got my 1st contract as the R-7 PE teacher last year. I was JP trained and they just rang and offered me the job in week 3 of term 1. I was shocked. It's also not as good as everyone makes it out to be. Between shitty equipment and facilities and lazy kids it can do your head in. As I get more experienced I am sure it will get better.

The system is crap though. I am still waiting to see if I get the same contract for this year. Will probably find out the day before school goes back. No pay for 12 weeks of the year

 

[raskolnikov]

Getting any primary teaching job is ridiculously hard. At the end of term 3 the principal at our school told the staff that we were overstaffed for next year and suggested that a couple of us think about moving on.

Because I wasn't happy at the school I offered to move on.

Since the start of term 4 I have put in over 100 applications for three interviews. I didn't get any of them.

Being an experienced teacher makes it even harder. A lot of the schools are only employing graduates because it's cheaper. What makes me really angry is having to address selection criteria knowing that I probably have better credentials than any of the other applicants but don't stand a chance of getting the job.

I have given up trying to get a job in Victoria and have moved up to Gladstone in Queensland where my mum and sister live. I have got a job working with people with disabilities. I am also putting out feelers for teaching jobs around the Gladstone area and will do some relief teaching til a more permanent job comes up. I would much rather be in Victoria but I haven't got a hope in hell of getting a job.

I have enquired about a few overseas jobs and all of them were extremely keen to interview me and were extremely impressed with my CV. It seems only in Australia, or at least Victoria that good, experienced teachers aren't appreciated. I don't particularly want to go overseas but will if necessary.

There are jobs in certain parts of Australia. Remote communities in WA, Queensland and the NT are desperate for teachers but you really have to be adaptable as the lifestyle is not easy. But the compensation(free accommodation and tax benefits) can make it lucrative if you are up to it.

As much as I love teaching I would not recommend it as a career path for anybody. You are setting yourself up for a life of insecurity and uncertainty. That teachers in Australia are treated like this is a disgrace.

 

[ChrisFooty]

Since the start of term 4 I have put in over 100 applications for three interviews. I didn't get any of them.

Being an experienced teacher makes it even harder. A lot of the schools are only employing graduates because it's cheaper. What makes me really angry is having to address selection criteria knowing that I probably have better credentials than any of the other applicants but don't stand a chance of getting the job.

That is shocking. May I ask were you applying to schools in Melbourne? Or were you applying to country schools all around Victoria? That is very sad to see. Experienced teachers should be promoted, as they would most likely get positive results among students.

 

[bomberdude18 2]

I've almost come to the end of an education degree but I'm not even sure I really want to be a classroom teacher. I decided to get into teaching because I enjoyed interacting with and having fun with kids. But as a classroom teacher when you're managing 25 kids and trying to teach them, that doesn't really leave a whole lot of room to have fun with them.

I do outside hours school care and think it's the best job in the world. But I can't exactly save up a deposit or support a family on 20 bucks an hour

 

[raskolnikov]

That is shocking. May I ask were you applying to schools in Melbourne? Or were you applying to country schools all around Victoria? That is very sad to see. Experienced teachers should be promoted, as they would most likely get positive results among students.

I started applying for Melbourne first, then realised that when I was getting very far started applying for anywhere in Victoria. Still no luck.

I've been here in Gladstone just on a week and today I got offered a full time position at a school literally across the road from where I am living. It's good to know I have a job but as I said in previous post I would much rather be in Victoria. Oh well, will just have to fly down as much as possible.

I actually wrote a letter to the Victorian Minister of Education on Monday. I was polite as I could be. Surprise, surprise no reply.

 

[jefffff34]

Just did a resume drop off today....17 different schools...

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Just did a resume drop off today....17 different schools...

For CRT or for a position?
If for a position it wont get looked at. It's all online.

 

[ChrisFooty]

I've been here in Gladstone just on a week and today I got offered a full time position at a school literally across the road from where I am living..

At least you have found something. Is that a non-state school? I always got the impression QLD was the worst state in Australia for primary school teachers, due to their oversupply in qualified staff.

 

[raskolnikov]

At least you have found something. Is that a non-state school? I always got the impression QLD was the worst state in Australia for primary school teachers, due to their oversupply in qualified staff.

No, it's a state school. Apparently it's tough to get a job in Brisbane and southeast Queensland but regional centres are easier.

Loving my job so far. I have a grade 5/6 class with 29 kids but every one of them is a nice kid. The staff are really nice too. Really, with the exception that it's in Queensland and not Victoria, it's a perfect job.

 

[jefffff34]

For CRT or for a position?

Nah CRT...had to have an operation a couple of weeks ago so had to knock back a few days work. Have had four schools offer work so far, worked at one.

 

[Crimson Azure]

Might be worth a thread in the employment board too.

It is a harder position to get from experience but like anything not out of reach.

 

[Breakthelines]

In the same position, went to Cairns after I graduated in 2010 and got a PE job no problem. I left Cairns due to my wife getting a government job in Brisbane and now I can only get bits and pieces of CRT/Supply.

I'm looking at joining the Cop shop because of how EQ is run in QLD!