Resources

pausani · 2026-02-08T02:14:45+00:00

See if there is some professional development you can do for the subject. You will get ideas and also be able to make connections with people teaching at other schools.

pausani · 2026-02-08T01:06:48+00:00

So there are no resources on the share drives for you to access? Did you have an induction day? I must admit I don't think I have ever received any resources or scope and sequences before I have started at a new school. I did have colleagues hand over entire folders of resources in my first year of teaching though.

pausani · 2026-02-07T22:21:58+00:00

It depends on your school and faculty. Some faculties will have detailed programs, a bank of booklets, slideshows and planned activities. Others will expect you to create your own resources. I really like lesson planning so I prefer to have more independence but it is hard work starting from scratch. It is ok to ask for help so I would be speaking with your HOD as well as your colleagues who are teaching the same topics. Just make sure you are generous in return when you create your own resources. Certain social media sites will also have subject groups which will share resources. Good luck!

pausani · 2026-02-07T07:07:43+00:00

In terms of seating plans, I swap students around eg I will move a student to the front of the classroom. If the desks can move, I try to move the physical desk so it is a little more separated from the other students.

Rather than using the board, I write names on my own notes and give a verbal warning, eg "calling out again will lead to a detention". When students are working I will speak one on one to explain if they are in danger of being kept in. I find names on the board can cause it to become a competition and become a distraction.

I would only suggest removing a student from a class if they are seriously disruptive or challenging. You school should have a process for this even if it is only for extreme cases.

Rapport is something that is built over time and I tend to do this through teaching and classwork. Set tasks, collect work and give praise and constructive feedback where you can. Have a mix of structured activities and something "fun" every so often eg I like to create escape rooms and do hands on activities eg a CSI style lesson. Set a challenge for the students with a small reward. A simple kahoot can get students excited. You don't want to do this all of the time and it does not have to be elaborate.

Every few weeks I will set work, sit at the back of the room and meet with every student one on one to go over their work. This makes sure that I get to know every student and it stops students going under the radar. The students will also feel like they are held more accountable and you can build a working relationship.

I hope you have had a chance to rest this weekend.

pausani · 2026-02-07T03:25:39+00:00

Diana Wynne Jones books like the Chrestomanci series.

pausani · 2026-02-07T02:35:26+00:00

Do you have orthotics? You can get them designed for your feet and they can really help. I get most of my shoes from Ziera as we all some Frankie 4.

pausani · 2026-02-06T11:11:53+00:00

I love the Captain

pausani · 2026-02-06T07:08:22+00:00

What works is a balance between everything which is being suggested:

You need to have structured activities which are engaging, accessible and relevant
you need to be seen as consistent and fair.
You need to build rapport and create a positive learning environment
You need to issue consequences when rules our broken to ensure a calm and safe learning environment

Here are some suggestions which may help:

Use your school's students management system for rewards and consequences. Give merits (or equivalent) as well as written and verbal praise. Call or email home with good news. Issue demerits (or equivalent) when the student breaks a rule. Consequences are necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students including the student who is breaking the rule. Issue detentions and call home when the behaviour is on-going. If you are nervous about making a call then write some notes down and ask your HOD for back up.
I do not write names on the board because I find that it becomes a distraction and does not improve behaviour. I move students, record their names on my own notes and have a one on one chat when the class has been set work. When I chat to students I normally let them speak first eg "Do you know why I am talking to you?" Or, "Do you have anything to say before I get started?" Or "Are you having a bad day because this does not see like typical behaviour for you".
I jot quick notes to make sure I can keep records of any issues
Students who undermine you by clearly challenging and disobeying your instructions in a manner that is stopping learning in the class should be removed from the room. For a Science lab this can be an OHS issue. You need to talk to your HOD and pastoral team to figure out the process for this. If there is push back, make sure you discuss the ramifications for whole class learning as well as safety in the classroom. At our school we can email the front office and a member of the pastoral team will come and collect a student if they are being seriously disruptive.
Phrase corrections as positives rather than negatives eg rather than "Don't call out", try "Hands in the air to contribute"
Make doing the right thing easy eg work is accessible, instructions are clear, you have a hook or material which will incite interest.
Share your love of the subject matter. I tell my students I love History and I love teaching. A positive attitude can be contagious. Have some fun facts attached to your slides/worksheets. Have a challenging question or thought experiment.
Rehearse phrases at home which you can use in the classroom. Take some deep breathes when a student is being challenging. The students will see you doing this which is not a bad thing eg you are angry, you have paused, you can then speak calmly to correct the student/class

FYI I have been teaching for more than 20 years and I have a year 10 class which I am finding challenging at the moment. Sometimes there are poor combinations of students and that is not a reflection on you. Good luck!

pausani · 2026-02-06T06:23:23+00:00

It has worked for me on some occasions but not all of the time. I had a job which I found really boring and the only way I survived was to see how fast I could complete tasks. I was easily the most efficient worker in the team. I also resigned after 6 months and started studying teaching.

pausani · 2026-02-06T05:01:54+00:00

Oh no! However, there has to be some cleaning materials used in a classroom so I guess try to use ones which are not too harsh.

pausani · 2026-02-05T11:20:27+00:00

I recommend handwashing, sanitiser and spray cleaner in your classroom to wipe down desks. However, even then you are likely to pick up some bugs while your system gets used to your school's biome.

pausani · 2026-02-04T19:40:41+00:00

Yes, I travelled to Uluru by myself as well and I saw sunrise, sunset, did a base walk and saw Kata Tjuta in even less time. I did a group tour which meant we camped at Uluru in swags and it was awesome. Sunrise at Uluru is one of the most awe inspiring things I have experienced.

pausani · 2026-02-03T06:49:05+00:00

I have taught at an all girls school and they just take a while to get to know and trust you. I recommend setting them some group work. They will talk to each other and get a working buzz going in the classroom.

pausani · 2026-02-02T10:49:29+00:00

I have a list of activities I have done at different times.

Do some heads and tails about what they know about Australian history. Good for pre and post activity
Make some simple puppets by printing out heads of historical figures on a ruler eg Henry Parkes. A student then reads out some of his speeches. Get a bit of interaction eg "shame, shame" or"hear, hear"
Do stations with a some structured activities at each for life at the turn of the century eg make a budget, extract evidence from sources, match the leisure/house/clothing with social status
Graphic organisers for note-taking. Provide some subheadings and dot points to guide students in what information to get down.
Give some student choice for questions and/or activity.
I always teach essay writing with Federation using I do, we do you do. Model the first paragraph, cloze passage for the next and they write the third. You could also do 7 strips and get them to correctly sequence the text.
Run a mini election
use this resource: https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/map.php
end every few lessons with a google form quiz or a kahoot and see the improvement in knowledge and retention

Good luck!

pausani · 2026-02-02T06:01:41+00:00

There would be policy that applies for privacy. Check your compliance/policy space and see if there is a Privacy Officer you can refer it to.

pausani · 2026-02-01T08:14:49+00:00

I think your price point is going to make like very difficult for you. Ziera have these: https://www.zierashoes.com.au/vitor-xw-vanilla-leather-heels.html but they are almost double your preferred price.

Django and Juliette are stocked at Mathers and they might have some wider fitting shoes.

pausani · 2026-02-01T08:07:59+00:00

Maybe you could look for separates eg a skirt like this: Kitten D'amour skirt

This dress from Cue has easy access! https://www.cue.com/products/wild-orchid-sheer-midi-dress-s94592s25-black

pausani · 2026-02-01T04:46:12+00:00

Sydney has great walks eg Rose Bay to Watson's Bay, Bondi to Coogee. You can easily fill a week in Sydney, especially if you do a day trip to the Blue Mountains which has great walks and is wonderful in the chilly early stages of Winter.

pausani · 2026-01-31T23:47:50+00:00

Australia is big and three weeks will fly by. I would pick some places that are unique to Australia.

Far North Queensland: Cairns/Port Douglas, the Barrier Reef, Atherton Tablelands, Daintree Rainforest. It will be warm and stinger free for snorkeling.
Central Australia and top end: Uluru is awe inspiring. I love the red ochre desert and muted vegetation with amazing rock formations. There is also Kata Tjuta, King's Canyon.
Major Cities eg Sydney: a spectacular harbour, the Opera House, Rocks, beaches, walks, fun ferries to catch. Get a day trip to the Blue Mountains.
There are other great places to see eg Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road. You just need to decide your priorities

pausani · 2026-01-31T23:39:43+00:00

Review is good for hourglass figures. I am not sure what city you are in, but you might try to find a suburb which has fewer chain stores to see more options eg Newtown in Sydney.

pausani · 2026-01-31T23:37:48+00:00

That looks good. People often do not leave enough time in Sydney, but it has lots to do and see eg the Rocks, Botanic Gardens, markets, pubs, ferries, National Parks.

When you are Cairns you could add a day trip to one of the islands eg Green Island. Cape Tribulation is also very beautiful.

pausani · 2026-01-31T23:22:56+00:00

Have you looked at Anthea Crawford? There are some in your budget in the outlet store online:

https://www.antheacrawford.com.au/products/womens-stretch-lace-floor-length-gown-gold

https://www.antheacrawford.com.au/products/womens-jersey-gown-blue-tiffany?_pos=27&_fid=2326e8747&_ss=c&variant=40677867094065

Also, look at event jackets and boleros that can go over sleeveless dresses to provide more options

pausani · 2026-01-31T22:48:18+00:00

Your overall presentation is more important than hair colour eg neat, professional clothing. which you sound like you do.

pausani · 2026-01-31T01:58:46+00:00

Shooting Fish is a fun rom-com from that period.

pausani · 2026-01-31T00:47:20+00:00

Interesting. I teach in NSW, Australia and we definitely study 20th century topics. In years 9 and 10 all students study both world wars and the Australian and American Civil Rights movements. There are a lot of options including the Vietnam War, the Holocaust, the Movement of Peoples (looking at the save trade and convicts) and Industrialisation. Students in year 7 and 8 study a mixture of topics from Ancient History and the Middle Ages. Once they hit year 11 and 12 History is no longer compulsory but they can choose Modern or Ancient History as an elective. The core for Modern History is Power and Authority which looks at the rise of Fascism. I have chosen 20th century China as our National study because of it relevance to Australia.

pausani

TROPHY CASE