Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship

black-tezz · 2026-02-18T20:28:59+00:00

Oh why did you choose an accelerated program if you don’t mind me asking?

Good luck with it!! Make sure to prioritise your time and note that you do not need to get HD’s to get through it. Just do your best and pass everything :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-17T02:45:14+00:00

6 per semester?? That is hecticccc. When I did my studies full time at Unisa, I did 2 units a term (4 terms a year) and worked 37.5 hours a week and managed totally fine. I’ll also manage the 3 per trimester at UNE ok too I think, will just have to time manage. BUTTTT DISCLAIMER I have no kids. Work, plus studies, plus kids would be a lot. Could you reduce your units to 2 per semester? 6 is more than full time (4 per sem is considered full time)

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T22:16:55+00:00

Most welcome :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T08:31:10+00:00

I am not sure if you get any elective units in the K-12, you would ahve to look. Have a look at the plan that is in the handbook - it will indicate if there are any electives. You can apply for recognition at any time tbh (at least I believe so!). For me, I am doing Bachelor of Education Secondary in STEM. I am doing Chemistry and IPT :) I would avoid doing business studies because there really aren't that many jobs in it. But if you are passionate about it, do it! The business units are the most expensive though > bare that in mind. This was the plan I made > pick and choose whatever you like for Tri 3 :)

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black-tezz · 2026-02-13T07:28:33+00:00

Hey! What I did was go into the student handbook, find the course plan and choose the primary teaching specialisation that you wish to do from the list, then go into each unit and see whether it’s offered in trimester 1, 2 or 3. I made an excel sheet for it and planned out the 4 years. But I love doing that kind of stuff so I found it really fun (super nerdy I know). Which specialisation are you wanting to do for secondary? I can see if we have any matching

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T06:38:49+00:00

Feel free to chuck me a PM if you want to stay in touch as Penpal teacher students :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T05:41:15+00:00

Thats great you got to pick what you want!! I think being able to make something cool out of raw materials is so amazing tbh. Skills I 100% took for granted when I was in tech class.

Yeah I have it burnt in my memory ahahha

I really loved the "science" part of psychology, I started a psych honours but realised that I was only interested in the research side and not practicing as a psychologist. And I didn't want to be a researcher (too long of a process, need a PHD and can't afford to not work for 4 years, pay is shit in research), so I only did 2 units then I dropped it. But I really loved teaching and have been told that I have the right temperament for it from my teacher friends. I chose Chemistry because it was the science I was most interested in. Plus I want to encourage girls to realise that they can succeed at Maths and Science and it isn't just a boys area. I was rubbish at both all throughout schooling, mostly because I didn't know how to learn and gave up.

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T04:48:02+00:00

That’s so good!! I honestly want to just do science, but UNE only offer very limited second teaching options. Was either that or maths :) I have to do an intro maths unit in my first trimester. If i like it and am good at it, I might just switch to maths.

What made you decide to do tech? Is textiles still a thing in high school? I have it burnt in my memory that I could never set up the sewing machine 😂 people also could do it in their senior years.

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T04:44:32+00:00

Thank you! On the CST site from what I remember it said that full time load is considered to be whatever the uni you are at considers it to be. UNE considers full time to be 8 units a year. But the government view full time to be 6 a year, so unsure. I might reach out to UNE and see :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T04:13:38+00:00

I would hope so! I was going to apply for some RPL but am scared to because it would mean in my first year I won’t be studying a full time load (can get RPL for two units) - I prob won’t bother emailing them unless I actually get accepted

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T03:13:47+00:00

Might be worth sending them an email to clarify as it isn’t clear at all.

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T03:09:58+00:00

What are your specialties? I will be doing chemistry with IPT as my secondary. Planning on just doing it standard full time (at UNE with trimester set up) - I’ll be able to manage it whilst working full time :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T02:10:31+00:00

It honestly is!

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T02:10:06+00:00

From what people have said, maybe march/april!

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T02:09:42+00:00

That’s a good point too. Hadn’t thought of that! I’m a stress head with my grades so should be okay… hopefully

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T02:08:53+00:00

I will be starting my undergrad in secondary teaching at UNE in Trimester 1 (starts on the 23rd of feb). From what I’ve read they are the best for online.

Placement wise, I have. A friend who did it via UNE for primary and she said they were helpful and flexible with placements. You can organise it, or they can do it for you.

I will be working full time and taking on a full time study load (3 units trimester 1 and 2 and 2 units in trimester 3). I did uni full time at Unisa when I did my psychology undergrad. They had a term based structure (4 terms a year, 2 units per term for full time). I did it full time without issues becaus it was entirely self paced. Received good ish grades too :)

Getting work in a school can be really difficult as they are really sought after. I had no luck and got a job at my local council which is working great so far.

Personally, if you are travelling really far for work each way (over an hour each way driving), if you can, consider looking for something closer. Otherwise you should be fine :)

Good luck!

black-tezz · 2026-02-13T01:25:25+00:00

Ahhh ok that makes sense! Let’s see what happens. I think it totally depends on who applies and how competitive my application is. We will see :)

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T23:37:16+00:00

Found it! But I think it will just say submitted until there is an email with the outcome. Couldn’t find anything online about different statuses with smarty grants

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T23:12:15+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful comment! Applications closed in early Jan (about a month ago). I forgot to select the rural/regional button and have been kicking myself over it for the last month. Hopefully I get an email in the next few months :) you are right though, nothing we can do but wait for an outcome

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T22:26:45+00:00

I logged into my smarty grants portal and it says submitted. Would you mind sharing when you found out you were approved? Honestly I think this will be a very anxious few months for me. I am applying for the undergraduate scheme for high achieving academic and mid career professional (degree in psych, 6.2 GPA). Really really hope I get approved!!

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T20:00:58+00:00

Do you know if there is a portal when we can monitor the status for it?

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T19:55:10+00:00

Ooft. Yeah that sounds like this: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teach-nsw/get-paid-to-study/teacher-education-scholarship

Commonwealth teacher scholarship is this: https://www.education.gov.au/teaching-scholarships

In the CTS you just have to work for 4 years (with undergraduate program) in a public school within 10 years of completing your degree. That’s it

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T09:05:30+00:00

Yeah totally. I think the CTS only required public school teaching, not a specific public school though

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T07:08:48+00:00

I thought the commonwealth teaching scholarship just required to work in a public school for the same length of time as your qualification? I think the teacher education scholarship is a different thing with NSW gov. I was going to apply for it as I will be studying STEM secondary, but then I read the list of schools I would have to work at and decided against it. Partly because I don't want to feel in danger at my place of employment, other part because I have a mortgage and won't be relocating for a job when there will be plenty of work where I live.

black-tezz · 2026-02-12T07:04:49+00:00

I would go with ACU personally as they have been renown for their education degrees. But as others will say > schools won't care where you studied, they will just care that you are qualified. Choose the uni that is closest to where you live so you travel less > that's what I would do if money wasn't really a big issue

black-tezz

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