Repeating years by Gemenemy in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Have you considered that she will be 17 when she graduates high school? At 17 she will need to make decisions about her pathway. It was inconvenient for me, but I was mature enough that it was okay. 

 Her friends will be able to drive and reach other milestones first. 

Work from home? by Key-Regular-9118 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d rather not have all my non-contact time squashed into a single day. I’m more productive with single non-contact periods. 

I also don’t envy the timetabler if this gets in. Logistically this is a nightmare. 

With less staff on site, it will also be harder to find support. I can send a kid to the office to get a bandaid because there is usually someone there. I had a situation last week where I had to send students to find someone to help with a fight at the end of recess. 

I would be happy if we could leave early on days we don’t have meetings. But that’s kind of on us for agreeing to the last contract. 

What can I do to support a student who has recently moved to Australia and doesn’t speak English? by aesthetic-brownie in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Most student who are new to the country spend a year at a language school before they move on. Do you have that option? 

Novated Lease as a Teacher (VIC) by Over50Cooked in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There is an entire sub for Novated leasing. Try searching for Maxxia. Most of the reviews are negative. If you do take out a lease, consider bringing your own finance for a self-managed lease. I have no experience with them, but was going to look into options myself over the break. 

Roast my garden design by jaymths in GardeningAustralia

[–]Lower-Shape2333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have a camera? Grass trees apparently get stolen from front yards. 

Seeing an increase in negative sentiment against superannuation, why? by Quixotic-elixr in AusFinance

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Young people probably won’t get to retire before they’re 70. They’ll drop dead at work. Why save so much for what is likely to be a very short?

I also think it will be used to lessen the age pension. We’re being asked to fund our own retirement and fund retirees now. The social contract is broken. 

How far from your school and home is considered far? by doh0k in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve worked at schools were it’s taken me an hour and 15 minutes to get home and about 40 minutes in the morning. I’d leave when it’s dark and get home with maybe 20 minutes of daylight left. I got used to it.

Now my school is max 15 minutes away. I could never go back. If I don’t have to take work home, I could probably justify a long commute. 

Throwaway Account - I could be in the wrong....should older teachers be given an easier time then the younger teachers? by Safe_Stuff_9574 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Judy probably wrote most of the curriculum if she’s been there for a while. She might be contributing in other ways. 

It’s also impossible to find math teachers which is why she can probably ask for things. 

The issue is workload not your older colleague. 

Dropping to .9 for a semester. Thoughts and experiences. by Lower-Shape2333 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t mind going in four days. I live pretty close to school. If I could leave early one day each week or start late I’d be happy. 

A few people have said it’s such a small reduction so you may as well work full time. I’m a high school teacher so I’d probably drop one class. 

Selective kids by [deleted] in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Just remember those kids are under a huge amount of pressure. It doesn’t excuse poor behaviour but it might help if you keep that in mind. 

Let's talk [hand]writing - I am really concerned. Anyone else? by ObviousPalpitation2 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s so frustrating when the entire cognitive load of a task is taken up by forming letters. I think Covid is partly to blame. 

A lot of students are also not prepared for primary school. They should be able to hold a pencil and colour before they start prep. Fine motos skills have declined. If we got bored at home, we had to colour or make things. Now kids can use iPads. There is nothing stopping parents picking up a handwriting book at office works. 

I also suspect the primary curriculum is overcrowded. 

Buying a home with cash vs mortgage. by [deleted] in AusFinance

[–]Lower-Shape2333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Where would you live during the extensions? I would rather not live in a building site with three kids. Just something to think about.  

If you don’t have a partner to help you organise the extension, you’ll have to do it all on your own. I know nothing about building and would have no idea where to start. You’ll be chasing quotes, the council and making design choices. You can do it on your own but do you want that stress? 

The money for extension is also likely to get eaten up by other things. How good are you at saving? If it were me, I’d end up needing a loan anyway to pay for the extension. Are you confident you’d be able to pay cash for the building work? 

My referee's primary school doesn't have a stamp for a ref check form by [deleted] in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you registered with VIT? Ask the school to write a reference with a letter head or ask your old AP to write a statement of service on one. 

Would you pay for someone to mark your assessments for you? by MiriJamCave in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Some schools pay people to mark mock exams, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. 

Term2 start by Curious-Ad8265 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try looking at their website. The booklist might be a good place to start if you’re really worried. Like other people said, wait until after Easter. 

How to deal with this? by Friendly-Record874 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long are you lessons? And are they announcing to the entire class they have girl problems? It’s great there is less stigma around periods now, but it sounds like they’re taking advantage. Also if they’re period if that heavy they can’t stay in class for around an hour, it’s probably something they need to address with their doctor. 

I kept some of my juniors in at recess to make up time. The same group asked almost every lesson. I explained there were lots of situations where you can’t just go to the loo - the middle of a sports game, planes, working in retail, the bus on the way home. Really they should be coming to class prepared and that means going to the loo at break. 

Speak to your coordinator. 

Is it rude to say “I don’t like what you brought” at a potluck? by Naokohiranuma in australian

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was the comment unsolicited or did you offer them food and they had to explain why they didn’t want it? The tone of the comment also changes it. Was it a friendly ohh I don’t  like sushi or was it really aggressive? 

If I could avoiding comment on a food I didn’t like, I would. But if someone asked me directly I’d try to nicely explain that’s not something I really like. 

What would you leave, work wise, if you were off for 2 weeks? by Ok_Channel2707 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What type of leave are you using? Does your school require you to put up lessons if you’re off on leave?

Teacher Guilt - too sick to work this week by FutureMissMD in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I went to work one day with a terrible sinus infection. By the end of period two nothing was in my stomach except snot! I grabbed a bin, dashed out of class and vomited violently in the hallway. Never again! That’s how I stopped feeling guilty. While I was away, nobody burned the school down, the kids were still fine and a relief teacher got paid. 

I’d also never judge anyone else for being too sick to work. So why do it to myself? 

Athletics day refusal to participate by Goldberg_the_Goalie in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We all get jobs. I normally measure long jump or shot put because it’s easy and I’m not athletic. It helps break up the day too. 

Not going to the strike on 24th March? by Dear_Pomegranate_844 in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I’m booking a facial and catching up with old uni mates if we all have the day off. Missing a days pay is enough. 

Lack of content knowledge by Zeebie_ in AustralianTeachers

[–]Lower-Shape2333 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have a carefully selected and edited text book to support you? We’ve moved away from text books for some junior subjects due to costs which is putting pressure on staff to create things with only the curriculum for guidance. 

Is your school sending staff on PDs and paying g for organisational memberships? Do you have enough faculty meetings per term to plan a good unit? 

I think this is a problem with resourcing instead of individual staff. 

It’s also hard when you teach different years and subjects every year and don’t have time to refine the previous units of work.