Teaching in SA problems

[Guest Debz4912]

Hey guys

 

i have just arrived in Adelaide. I have 5 years experience as a college Psychology teacher in the Uk. I did a 2 year pt PgCE in UK and have just been turned down for teachers registration as they won't accept it. They have suggested i complete their Pgce and will be given credit for my previous study however the course is $21k which I just can't afford as we are classed as international students until you get permanent residency.

 

If anyone out there has any advice I'd be most grateful for it. Also I would be happy to meet up with anyone in a similar situation to have a. Good natter over a coffee about it all.

 

Debz

[Guest cazzie]

Hey guys

 

i have just arrived in Adelaide. I have 5 years experience as a college Psychology teacher in the Uk. I did a 2 year pt PgCE in UK and have just been turned down for teachers registration as they won't accept it. They have suggested i complete their Pgce and will be given credit for my previous study however the course is $21k which I just can't afford as we are classed as international students until you get permanent residency.

 

If anyone out there has any advice I'd be most grateful for it. Also I would be happy to meet up with anyone in a similar situation to have a. Good natter over a coffee about it all.

 

Debz

 

Hi Debz,

I am so surprised to hear this - as I had to pay 10,000 dollars to satisfy their demands as I had a GTP certificate and not a PGCE. The TRB clearly stated then - 2008/9 that had I had a PGCE certificate, I would not need to do further study at great cost. Also, I know someone who has a PGCE and went straight into teaching in Adelaide no problems. The goalposts must have been moved if you can't be accepted - and it is so ludicrous and beggars belief - but it seems to be all about bloody money to them. This sickens me as you clearly are accepted as a full teacher in the UK, but not good enough for here. The other stupid thing is that I did a 4 month course at UniSA to gain a post grad diploma in education and although I loved the experience of going back to uni, I learned absolutely nothing! Also, I feel that the teaching standards in UK schools was far higher than it is here - in my opinion - so all in all, it was a waste of time and money!

Wish I could offer you some advice but all I can say is to contact Ruth Geer, if she is stillat UniSA as she was the person I had to contact to see about getting my qualifications and experience assessed and accredited.

Hope you get it sorted. Try not to get too depressed about it - get more information if you can.

Best wishes,

Cazzie

PS What area are you residing in?

PPS Of course, you could get a non-teaching job, get your permanent residency and then apply again - it would be much cheaper. You could also work as a teaching assistant and get some experience of Aussie schools too

Edited November 10, 2013 by cazzie

[Guest Debz4912]

Hi Cazzie

 

Thanks for your response. It was the prof grad PGCE that I completed rather than the certificate. Iv been so stressed about this whole thing. Andrew from TrB has suggested I go to panel with my case especially given that I was Head of Psyc for 2 years and suggested that they might approve me but it would probably have a study condition on it, ie they register me once I start on a course but I would be allowe ft work until their Pgce was complete. I can't believe given as you said the standard in the UK is much superior that I don't qualify to teach here without paying as stupid amount of money on top of what I have already done in the UK and how hard I worked. It's really heart renching.

I will get in touch with Ruth this week to see what further help she can be. My partner loves it here and hates the idea of returning home but I don't feel it's worth me staying here if I can't get to do what I love best....teaching. So frustrating!

 

i live in Crafers ATM.

 

Thanks again

debz

[Guest cazzie]

Sorry to hear all this Debz and yes, it is heart wrenching stuff but don't give up just yet. go to the panel with your case/contact Ruth Geer at UniSA and see what comes out of it. Although it cost me 10k to study, I have repaid that debt and never looked back and it may work out the same for you.

Happy to meet up for a coffee sometime

[Guest Debz4912]

Sorry to hear all this Debz and yes, it is heart wrenching stuff but don't give up just yet. go to the panel with your case/contact Ruth Geer at UniSA and see what comes out of it. Although it cost me 10k to study, I have repaid that debt and never looked back and it may work out the same for you.

Happy to meet up for a coffee sometime

 

 

Hi Cazzie

 

i really hope it does work out as it's the only thing stopping me from enjoying being here ATM. I'm free every evening generally and on a Wednesday. Would be good to meet up with other teachers too.

 

Thanks again

debz

[coolerking]

Go to the panel board, definitely worth it.

 

All the best

Cooler

[Guest cazzie]

Let us know how you get on with the panel - present your case and hopefully you will gain something out of it; a shorter course and less money at least. x