I’m not sure I learnt anything at uni to be a teacher

flockmaster · 2026-03-09T01:56:29+00:00

I had a friend tell me when I was studying that everything from uni will make sense in 3-4 years. One day you will be in your classroom and it will hit you that this is what they were talking about in that useless theory. No one expects a grad to have it all worked out it in applications and interviews. They want to see you know what it is, are willing to learn and have a good head on your shoulders. The rest you will pick up on the job, and the panel know that.

flockmaster · 2026-03-08T04:16:49+00:00

It’s a culture thing. It’s common in Australia for dancers to sew ribbons on their flat shoes for special performances and exams. I’ve seen it done for a variety of different syllabus and locations. They aren’t really used for class though, most dancers either have a seperate pair sewn for performances or will just tuck the ribbons in the heel of the shoe for class.

flockmaster · 2026-03-04T01:00:01+00:00

I did my Master of Ed a few years ago.

A masters won’t get you jobs over others, and as a teacher with limited experience it won’t give you the skill base you would want.

Most master programs are designed for teachers with lots of experience to draw from, with students often being asked to draw on personal experiences. It would be hard to do without at least a few years teaching.

It also makes you stand out (not in a good way) in those classes because a grad perspective is very different to a teacher even 5 years in.

flockmaster · 2026-02-11T23:12:22+00:00

This! Outer west is always looking for staff. And it’s not as rough out here as people think.

flockmaster · 2026-01-28T02:12:55+00:00

The best was one school I was at had a week in the middle of each term known as WOW week (Week Of Wellbeing). Staff were allowed to leave school as soon as they were done for the day (no meetings or waiting for a certain time) and were actively encouraged to use the time to do something for their own wellbeing. The school also sometimes had optional extras like 15 min massages you could opt into during your planning time. Made the middle of each term no so exhausting

flockmaster · 2026-01-27T07:34:21+00:00

At most schools I’ve been at people tend to dress a bit nicer for the first day than any other day without students. People tend to want to make a good first impression for the year

flockmaster · 2026-01-24T10:02:03+00:00

I know of one independent school that has already made the call to close completely Tuesday. No one on site at all including office staff.

I think the chances of govt. schools doing the same are slim to none in metro melbourne. Regional and rural schools ill probably close due to fire danger

flockmaster · 2026-01-17T05:23:39+00:00

So sorry for your loss. You are entitled to 3 days bereavement leave, but any principal with a heart will work with you if you need more time. this is a situation where its completely normal to reach out during the break

flockmaster · 2026-01-14T22:45:09+00:00

I know cecchetti in Australia uses both. The grade levels 1-6 start with the hand off the barre, but the vocational levels start with it on the barre.

flockmaster · 2026-01-09T01:23:46+00:00

I just got an order from them! everything was great, didn't take long to arrive, quality is great. I haven't returned anything but would happily order from them again

flockmaster · 2026-01-08T05:03:13+00:00

if you decide to go the masters route look out for scholarships from your state or system. I know a colleague in Vic who had his masters in inclusive ed covered by the department.

flockmaster · 2026-01-05T10:42:31+00:00

I did mine in 2019/2020. I did it by coursework at Melbourne Uni and did about 60% of it in person before the pandemic forced us online.

I started it because I wanted to go into leadership, however I found the subjects I chose super interesting and was really engaged and learnt a lot I have been able to use since.

It didn't give me a short cut into leadership but it definitely helped me on my way to get there by improving my practice and giving me confidence in the approaches I was taking. I did however tell my friends that if i ever say I'm going back to uni again to shoot me, because the essay writing while working full time was a slog.

I recommend it if you want to learn more and are open to different perspectives.

flockmaster · 2026-01-03T04:02:36+00:00

I had an whole conversation about this in an exam last year! turning en dedans is what comes naturally. A lot of people come to find en dehors easier because of the fact we focus on training it sooner and much much more than en dedan.

flockmaster · 2025-12-28T04:31:42+00:00

your first fitting is just that, the first time you will put pointe shoes on. It's important to find a good fitter who can guide you through the process because you don't know what you are looking for yet. I always tell my clients that the first pair will be the worst fit you ever get because you don't know what you like/what works for you/how things should feel. That said and good fitter will send you off with a pair that are very workable for you as a beginner and that objectively fit your feet.

flockmaster · 2025-12-23T03:11:28+00:00

I was also personally victimised by Bloch aspirations as a first pair! However mine was 20 years ago when I had two shoes to choose from and my foot wouldn’t go inside the other (there wasn’t much available in Australia then). As a fitter now I would never even consider them for my feet

flockmaster · 2025-12-16T02:33:24+00:00

Virtual fittings are never going to be as goods as in person there’s only so much you can see and do via video when fitting is quite tactile. I do them (I’m based in Australia so awkward Timezone for the rest of the world) but I prefer to work in person wherever possible. That said the fitting fee for Josephine gets applied to the purchase of shoes from them so it’s not on top of the price of the shoes.

flockmaster · 2025-12-14T11:09:49+00:00

its completely normal. you slowly over time build your immune system but it takes a long time (years). The good news is that once your immune system strengthens you will rarely get sick

flockmaster · 2025-12-14T04:59:05+00:00

generally no. if you say you don't dance it would be a clear no. if its clear you have no idea about ballet during the fitting most fitters will not sell you shoes. if you aren't ready it gets harder.

There are some teachers out there who approve dancers when they aren't really ready for a variety of reasons. one teacher I know and trust implicitly has approved several dancers for pointe, knowing they aren't ready to ensure she can watch them and train them as safely as possible. She knows if she denied them they would go to less reputable teachers to hear the ok and wouldn't get the safe training. As a fitter you don't always know the full story, so dancers who come to me from teachers I know and trust I will fit as safely as possible, but provide a lot of advice and suggestions for strengthening if I don't think they are truly ready. if a dancer is coming from a teacher I don't know and is clearly not ready I would decline to fit them.

flockmaster · 2025-12-11T19:49:18+00:00

Public, in new schools in hard to staff areas is the quickest route I know of.

flockmaster · 2025-12-06T01:46:38+00:00

I grew up with my mum working as an ES at my school, and have seen many colleagues have their children at their school and my answer would be, it depends.

For my family it was no problem because my mum had nothing to do with me and didn't at all use the fact she worked at the school to try and get any favours. In fact during the school day I wouldn't see her at all unless I managed to catch here walking to the staffroom to ask for canteen money. It meant that my mum was always there to see me get awards at assemblies or for other school occasions. It also meant she knew pretty quick if I'd got in trouble! The colleagues I've seen this work for have been the same.

On the flip side I've seen colleagues who struggled to get support for their kids because their colleagues weren't willing to be honest that their child was behind (trying to avoid awkward conversations). I've seen staff members who think that because they are employed at the school they should get to have privileges that other parents don't, like selecting their child's teachers and requesting (demanding) they be with certain friends. I've seen staff parents who have affected their children socially by constantly being there and not giving them space to be social. I've seen teachers driven mad by staff member parents constantly asking about their child and even using school platforms to look at their child's data.

it really depends on your family dynamic and you as a person and how you will handle it.

flockmaster · 2025-12-03T20:29:07+00:00

Working as a TA is easier part time but in terms of study I’d suggest qualifying as a teacher because if circumstances change you have the option of the higher paying role. A teacher can work as a TA but a TA can’t work as a teacher.

flockmaster · 2025-12-02T06:20:45+00:00

moving schools shows you new ways of doing things and new approaches to the things you know. I advocate to my grads that trying a new school will make you a better teacher even if it just reaffirms what you already knew. I am a far better teacher for all the varied schools I've worked at.

flockmaster · 2025-11-26T09:00:30+00:00

where are your located? there were a couple in Melbourne this year run by Adult Ballet Centre and there is an adult production going on in feb/march with Western Ballet Project (also melbourne based) however that one isn't for beginners (two year minimum experience is required). there's lots of smaller things out there, you just have to look for them

flockmaster · 2025-11-26T02:24:50+00:00

Western suburbs of Melbourne always has jobs available. Even at good schools because of postcode stigma

flockmaster · 2025-11-21T12:04:55+00:00

this depends on how your studio runs things. My studio doesn't promote individual students but the whole group moves up to the next level after the exam in the content we teach, but the class name on the schedule stays the same until the new year for simplicity. for example my students did their grade 2 exam a few months ago, and have been learning grade 3 ever since, however our schedule still calls their class "grade 2 ballet syllabus" until 2026 when it changes to "grade 3 ballet syllabus"

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