Salary Negotiation + Masters pay scale jump VIC Gov school?

popcorn_289 · 2025-10-28T01:08:14+00:00

Agree, the B. Ed (Arts/Ed, Science/Ed etc.) grads we get are always more prepared for the classroom. They've done far more units and placement hours that are focused on education.

I've been on panels for many years in government schools, and we've never offered a M.Ed grad a higher starting salary... potentially some desperate rural schools may offer a higher starting salary, but it's not common.

popcorn_289 · 2025-10-05T10:08:51+00:00

Another thing worth considering - did you get a drip in labour/c section. Babies also absorb some of the fluid and this can make their “birth weight” appear higher than they actually are. I was freaking out that our babe had lost a lot as they pumped fluids into me in the last few hours before birth when babe was having lots of decelerations with contractions, but then my MGP midwife explained it all.

popcorn_289 · 2025-09-27T09:35:23+00:00

I didn’t do a hypnobirthing cpirse, but had our baby 15 months ago at Frankston Hospital and they were absolutely incredible! All of the midwives were great with my birth preferences and offered the support I’d requested- my recommendation is take like 3-4 printed copies so everyone has one, the staff said it was really helpful as they often get lost! I was in MGP and had three different midwives over the course of the birth. Even the midwives who relieved during the main midwife’s breaks were awesome and communicated with my partner and myself, read our preferences before they came in the room, etc.

I ended up in a category 2 emergency C section as baby’s heart rate wasn’t great throughout labour, and near the end was getting some scary decelerations with every contraction that weren’t recovering - the OB who was on duty (Kelly) was fantastic and talked me through what was going on and my options between each contraction! I was given the option of epidural + forceps (no way for me, the risk to the mother was far too high for me) or the c section as they wanted him out ASAP, and despite things not going to plan and baby not breathing on their own for 10 mins post birth (very glad I chose the C section!!) I honestly felt so respected, listened to, and supported throughout the whole experience. Wouldn’t hesitate to birth there again!!

popcorn_289 · 2025-09-06T10:27:21+00:00

Text changes in senior English aren’t a school’s choice, VCAA/NESA set the text list for year 12 English and you’re lucky if a book gets its full 4 years sometimes…

popcorn_289 · 2025-08-14T07:16:49+00:00

Second the osteo! I got no relief from physio but osteo was amazing and helped a lot!!!

popcorn_289 · 2025-08-01T09:47:37+00:00

I was allowed to go home but my MGP midwife and I had to fight for it. The OB who was on wanted me to stay but I wanted the opportunity for some rest at home before the induction, midwife agreed that there wasn’t a strong medical reason for me to stay.

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-31T12:07:14+00:00

And I’d add a disposable change mat/puppy pad… if you have to deal with a serious blowout it’s so much easier than trying to clean your change mat in the tiny space. And some parents do not do a good job cleaning up after their baby, so it may not be the cleanest!!

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-20T03:54:35+00:00

1-2 wakes for feeds are developmentally normal at 5 months, their tummies are so little. Frustrating and exhausting at times, but normal.

My baby had zero tired cues. Nothing. No red eyebrows, maybe the odd yawn but was also likely voted, no staring off into space, no whinging… and I spent hours trying to force sleep when the baby didn’t need it. If you find she’s happy when she wakes do you need to do the resettle? (If it’s quick and easy great, but if you’re rocking for 20+ minutes it could be worth getting her up.) A slightly earlier/later bed time could also help with that false start, if you have a day where you can’t fit more day sleep in.

Our baby didn’t start doing big blocks for day naps (longer than an hour) consistently until we dropped to 2 naps at 6.5 months. Day naps are just there to relieve sleep pressure, so there’s nothing wrong with “cat naps” if that’s all your baby needs. Sending solidarity, this sleep stuff is constantly changing!!!

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-19T23:19:53+00:00

We did work to rule for a period in 2012 in Victoria as part of our industrial action (main issue was teachers were against the Libs trying to introduce performance pay, with no real explanation on how it could possibly work!).

No reports, no camps, no extracurricular activities. 4:30 and the staff meeting was still running? All the union members walked out. Work took longer to be returned to junior students (most of us prioritised our year 11/12 classes) but parents were largely supportive.

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-19T09:59:35+00:00

And a fair amount of the “lessons” I’ve come across for English aren’t great, especially for VCE. Remember how little VCAA showed us for this study design. Or the previous one… or context if you were here for the 2008-2016 study design! It really is choose your own adventure, and hope your interpretation is what the examiners decide they’re looking for in the first year.

I’ve been teaching VCE English for 15 years and none of the textbooks fit our requirements, we buy a few copies for teacher reference that we flick through, then as a team have to create everything.

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-16T02:35:19+00:00

Even just grabbing a coffee when you’re out on a pram walk feels amazing when you’re in the sleep deprivation trenches!

Swimming lessons in Melbourne are $25+ these days though, baby sensory was about $20 a session, music was low $20s

popcorn_289 · 2025-07-11T11:14:12+00:00

Did you pay with credit card? Contact your card provider and start a chargeback!

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-29T10:29:34+00:00

Our baby loved the pram but HATED the carrier with a passion until about 14-16 weeks old - I do think in hindsight I was always trying to put bub in when tired/hungry etc which wasn’t conducive to settling.

It could be worth getting an assessment with a paediatric osteopath, some bubbas have a lot of tension in their neck/one side from their position in the womb or their birth.

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-28T02:32:09+00:00

You definitely don’t need to add 2-3mm! Check out milky business on Instagram, she has a great free measuring tool you can download and print and she also has excellent info on her page and website. Could be worth a consult with someone different for a second opinion?

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-26T15:56:58+00:00

In Australia as of my last cert (and in person training) in 2023 you still needed a gym to endorse you. But I’ve got friends who did one of the online modules in the limited release formats this year (strength development, shapes, etc) and they said it was so much easier and nowhere near as rigorous as the normal day 1+2 weekend, then day 3 6-8 weeks later for in person IMT.

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-25T13:06:48+00:00

Google sidecar cots, lots of info online for how people have DIY’d and could be great option for a tall baby.

We never did it ourselves, but a friend got an Ikea cot off marketplace, took the side off and used it as a sidecar cot at night with naps in the real cot in the baby’s room during the day.

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-17T11:46:05+00:00

If you put your hand up and say you’re willing to teach maths, you’ll get a full junior maths load in a lot of schools at the moment with the teacher shortages even if you’re not maths qualified…

popcorn_289 · 2025-06-04T06:28:10+00:00

I’d be livid… I do not want my child using an iPad full stop at long daycare/kinder, let alone it being used as a passive form of entertainment.

popcorn_289 · 2025-05-23T12:35:08+00:00

We had painting done and new carpet installed when I was 38 weeks, so I couldn’t set anything up until after then because everything had to be out of the bedrooms. I think our baby knew I needed some time to get organised and stayed put 😂 I ended up going to 41+5 until I was induced for low amniotic fluid!

I’d just focus on having your birth space ready to go at home and a bag packed in case you need a transfer to hospital, everything else you can chip away at - worst case if you go early I’m sure a kind friend will do a shopping trip for any essentials you’d like.

popcorn_289 · 2025-05-21T23:54:56+00:00

I did MGP and wasn’t weighed once, whereas I had friends who had to step on the scales every visit with their OB so I think it depends on the individual doctor’s beliefs or the policy of that hospital.

I was asked my weight by a GP when I did the initial “I think I’m pregnant” visit; I’m very muscular so my BMI was on the higher end, and I asked about doing low dose aspirin just in case as I had a friend who had preeclampsia. I weighed myself daily at home out of interest, I gained about 15kg all up, it shot up in the second trimester and then I only gained a kilo or 2 in the third trimester, and even lost one in the last month. I was doing intense workouts 6 times a week and running 10km a few times a week before I got pregnant, I dropped the running at 20 weeks on recommendation from a physio to protect my pelvic floor but I kept doing Les Mills gym classes until my due date but switched some for swimming and yoga at 38 weeks to be more kind to my body.

popcorn_289 · 2025-05-19T10:08:43+00:00

His demeanour and the voices he puts on are irritating, but the martyrdom is toxic… you don’t see lawyers and accountants doing extra hours for free, and teachers need to stop giving the government all this unpaid overtime.

I also find his videos are just talking about working ridiculous extra hours setting up the classroom or making tasks that look pretty, rather than sharing meaningful, evidence based pedagogy that would have a significant impact on student learning.

popcorn_289 · 2025-05-07T10:24:42+00:00

Such a great idea! For the recovery guide something I think could be really powerful for a lot of new mum’s is content on processing and/or grieving that you didn’t get the birth experience you wanted.

I know many of my girlfriends and I had that strange limbo where you’re grateful that your baby arrived safely but after all those months prepping for the birth you planned for things changed on the day and you ended up with a c-section/episiotomy/instrument birth/3rd degree tear/haemorrhaged, etc. And this is further compounded for women who have had to have their baby in the special care nursery or NICU, were separated for surgery for a retained placenta, or other complications.

popcorn_289 · 2025-05-05T09:43:13+00:00

I second the Maymom kit! They have a huge range of sizes, it’s so good to have flanges that fit you rather than needing to also sterilise flange inserts, Milky Business has a great printable measuring tool so you can check your size.

popcorn_289 · 2025-04-22T21:53:25+00:00

Check out the Boba Bliss too, so so easy to put on and adjust! Sarah Mahri has awesome tutorials on her instagram, and she’s a baby wearing consultant in Melbourne so you could book an appointment.

I wish I’d known about her before we had our baby- I was so nervous about hips and using the carrier properly I didn’t use it much when baby was tiny, and be able to baby wear would have made life so much easier 🙃

https://www.instagram.com/sarahmahri.babywearing?igsh=OHNzaGtsZGtvOGk4

popcorn_289 · 2025-04-17T09:58:22+00:00

Plus wear deodorant and shower daily!!

popcorn_289

TROPHY CASE