I had a funny conversation last week with a very friendly woman from the Department (of Education & Training) about my application. I'm still waiting for a teaching number so I can look for work in public schools. But they're obviously working on it because they rang me to get my head teacher's email address for an appraisal (which presumably will consist of something like, "Yes, she really is a teacher.")
The very friendly woman asks me for a contact email for an appraisal and I ask, "So, you want to contact someone like my head teacher or my principal?"
*confused silence*
She replies, "Um, your HOLA would be good."
"...my HOLA...?" Fighting the urge to bust out some rusty Spanish.
Then she realises. It's the old state-based acronym trick. Adventures in federalism at its mundane, bureaucratic best.
"Head of Learning Area. That's what we call it. We shorten everything over here. It might take you a while to get used to it!"
Thanks for the heads up, friendly Department lady.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The job hunt begins
I've just emailed my CV to a contact at a school in Perth. I'm amazed that I'm able to do this before we've even arrived. However, I fear this may bolster the case of those who like to describe Perth as a big country town. Having grown up in a small country town the 'everyone knows everyone' vibe does not appeal to me.
The Fella had a casual conversation with one of his Perth colleagues that resulted in one of those "Oh, my friend works at [insert name of fancy private boys school]" kind of moments. This led to me making a nervous phone call after some Hazelnut courage. I really hate those calls. I thought I would keep it quite general - I didn't want to ask for a job directly - and it's an understatement to say that working at a wealthy private school has never been a dream of mine. I was hoping for some general info about relief teaching in Perth and maybe some other contacts.
Anyway, the contact assured me that there is lots of work around and that she would also pass my CV on to her "first ex-husband" (don't worry she was gracious enough to share a giggle with me about this phrase) who is the head of English at [insert name of WA's top selective public school]. Here the general conversation ceased because she seemed confident that between those two schools I would have plenty of work, so no more need for discussion, right? Did I mention that both of these schools are on the train line from Freo... How's my luck?
The Fella had a casual conversation with one of his Perth colleagues that resulted in one of those "Oh, my friend works at [insert name of fancy private boys school]" kind of moments. This led to me making a nervous phone call after some Hazelnut courage. I really hate those calls. I thought I would keep it quite general - I didn't want to ask for a job directly - and it's an understatement to say that working at a wealthy private school has never been a dream of mine. I was hoping for some general info about relief teaching in Perth and maybe some other contacts.
Anyway, the contact assured me that there is lots of work around and that she would also pass my CV on to her "first ex-husband" (don't worry she was gracious enough to share a giggle with me about this phrase) who is the head of English at [insert name of WA's top selective public school]. Here the general conversation ceased because she seemed confident that between those two schools I would have plenty of work, so no more need for discussion, right? Did I mention that both of these schools are on the train line from Freo... How's my luck?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Opening the dossier
Phew, where to start? Like most of my previous diary-type enterprises I have fallen behind already.
The weekend in Perth was a success. We've decided that Fremantle (or 'Freo' as I should perhaps now start calling it, as a future local) will be our new home. We checked out a few of the inner city suburbs of Perth, quite liked them, will return to visit, but felt that Freo had a lot more happening. So, when we arrive in a little over 2 weeks, the house-hunt will begin.
We thought we liked Subiaco in the day time, but luckily returned at night to discover that we didn't. From what we can gather there is one pub: the Subiaco Hotel (yes, I managed to remember that without notes). The Subiaco is a beautiful building, but unfortunately it's populated by people with pretensions to being even more beautiful. And no chairs. Now I don't know about you, but for me a pub is not about standing up in heels looking gorgeous - that's what weddings are for. So one drink in the window observing the passing, scantily clad crowd sealed the deal for us and we fled to Northbridge for the rest of the evening.
Some items for the fact file:
- Perth real estate agents seem even more self-important than Sydney ones. And they don't run open house inspections as a general rule - appointments are more the norm.
- We struggled to find decent food that wasn't obscenely expensive - actually even the expensive food was a bit rubbish. Turns out we are spoilt in Sydney. *sigh*
- Perth is much bigger than any 'big country town' I've been to, so you naysayers can please stop describing it as such.
- Perth is really beautiful. The beaches, the river, Kings Park - all lovely.
- As much as it's possible to generalise (and I plan to do so, wildly) we found Perth-ites (Perthians?) friendly and open. This bodes well for two friendless refugees from Sydney.
- Despite our best intentions we managed to discuss the issues of Sunday trading and daylight savings. Luckily the locals were very patient with us....
The weekend in Perth was a success. We've decided that Fremantle (or 'Freo' as I should perhaps now start calling it, as a future local) will be our new home. We checked out a few of the inner city suburbs of Perth, quite liked them, will return to visit, but felt that Freo had a lot more happening. So, when we arrive in a little over 2 weeks, the house-hunt will begin.
We thought we liked Subiaco in the day time, but luckily returned at night to discover that we didn't. From what we can gather there is one pub: the Subiaco Hotel (yes, I managed to remember that without notes). The Subiaco is a beautiful building, but unfortunately it's populated by people with pretensions to being even more beautiful. And no chairs. Now I don't know about you, but for me a pub is not about standing up in heels looking gorgeous - that's what weddings are for. So one drink in the window observing the passing, scantily clad crowd sealed the deal for us and we fled to Northbridge for the rest of the evening.
Some items for the fact file:
- Perth real estate agents seem even more self-important than Sydney ones. And they don't run open house inspections as a general rule - appointments are more the norm.
- We struggled to find decent food that wasn't obscenely expensive - actually even the expensive food was a bit rubbish. Turns out we are spoilt in Sydney. *sigh*
- Perth is much bigger than any 'big country town' I've been to, so you naysayers can please stop describing it as such.
- Perth is really beautiful. The beaches, the river, Kings Park - all lovely.
- As much as it's possible to generalise (and I plan to do so, wildly) we found Perth-ites (Perthians?) friendly and open. This bodes well for two friendless refugees from Sydney.
- Despite our best intentions we managed to discuss the issues of Sunday trading and daylight savings. Luckily the locals were very patient with us....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Transperth - not about the transexual community apparently
I spent a few hours this afternoon trawling through the WA Schools Online site and the Transperth (love that name!) journey planner site researching where schools are located and how to get there.
Firstly, I'm very relieved that the Transperth site exists as I'm hoping to continuing surviving without a car - and thus continuing to avoid confronting my fear of driving.
Secondly, I found this a surprisingly challenging and interesting task. It turns out that the far quicker way of doing things would have been to search for schools on Google maps, but I didn't think of that until I had nearly finished. Bummer.
But in the process I improved my still rudimentary knowledge of Perth geography and encountered any number of suburbs I've never heard of before (i.e. not mentioned by Perth expats as suitable places to live).
The upshot is that Fremantle, while the most frequently recommended place to live, (yes, I know it's not really in Perth - apparently that's the point) is not located all that conveniently to many high schools. Something to think about...
Firstly, I'm very relieved that the Transperth site exists as I'm hoping to continuing surviving without a car - and thus continuing to avoid confronting my fear of driving.
Secondly, I found this a surprisingly challenging and interesting task. It turns out that the far quicker way of doing things would have been to search for schools on Google maps, but I didn't think of that until I had nearly finished. Bummer.
But in the process I improved my still rudimentary knowledge of Perth geography and encountered any number of suburbs I've never heard of before (i.e. not mentioned by Perth expats as suitable places to live).
The upshot is that Fremantle, while the most frequently recommended place to live, (yes, I know it's not really in Perth - apparently that's the point) is not located all that conveniently to many high schools. Something to think about...
Monday, January 4, 2010
Reconnaissance
So, the idea is that I'll use this space to chronicle my experiences moving to Perth for (probably) a year. The blog is named for the idea of experiencing a different system or culture (perhaps?) within the one country - albeit several thousand kilometres away. (Federalism is the name given to the form of government that unites separate political entities/states within a single national system, but which allows each political entity/state to retain its independence.)
My first adventure in federalism came a few weeks ago when I realised that my NSW teaching accreditation (which I achieved after a quite impressive hoop-jumping routine) would not be recognised by the WA College of Teachers. They will let me teach eventually, but only after sifting through my uni transcripts and prac reports to decide for themselves if I'm qualified to do so. My favourite part of this story is that if I had trained in any other state of Australia OR New Zealand (!) I would be able to receive immediate accreditation.
We're going this weekend for a few days to decide which suburb we want to move to in 3 weeks time - what a bizarre task. I have a list of suburbs gleaned from Perth ex-pats that we'll visit, and then judge ruthlessly. I've decided my personal goal is to return with a great photo of a sunset over the beach to remind myself that this is supposed to be fun.
My first adventure in federalism came a few weeks ago when I realised that my NSW teaching accreditation (which I achieved after a quite impressive hoop-jumping routine) would not be recognised by the WA College of Teachers. They will let me teach eventually, but only after sifting through my uni transcripts and prac reports to decide for themselves if I'm qualified to do so. My favourite part of this story is that if I had trained in any other state of Australia OR New Zealand (!) I would be able to receive immediate accreditation.
We're going this weekend for a few days to decide which suburb we want to move to in 3 weeks time - what a bizarre task. I have a list of suburbs gleaned from Perth ex-pats that we'll visit, and then judge ruthlessly. I've decided my personal goal is to return with a great photo of a sunset over the beach to remind myself that this is supposed to be fun.
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