Welcome down under

Welcome back to all our returned exchange teachers. Many of you would have returned home just a week or so ago and you will still be readjusting to life back here. We hope you have enjoyed your year away and look forward to hearing about travels. Thank you for your emails, postcards, Facebook and Newsmonth stories.

Welcome to our Year 2017 exchange teachers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Colorado and other locations. You certainly have come from exciting but ‘cold’ places! And what a ‘warm’ welcome you are having to NSW and the ACT.

We look forward to meeting you ‘officially’ at the Welcome Reception on the 24 February and at various exchange events held throughout the year.

Reps and members, if there is an exchange teacher in your school, please make yourself known to them and help them settle into their new community. As overseas exchange teachers have reciprocal union membership for the year, you might like to invite them to your next chapter/sub branch meeting.

Returned exchange teachers should also think about supporting the NSW Exchange Teachers League (ETL) now that your year is over. You will receive the next issue of the newsletter shortly – included will be a membership renewal. The ETL are a wonderful group who have been on exchange themselves and provide social activities and friendly support to the newly arrived exchangees. The ETL meets on the first Wednesday of every month during term time at the IEU’s offices in Wattle Street, Ultimo at 5.30pm. It has lots of great activities planned through the coming year. If you want to become involved, call me on 8202 8900. Your support would be much appreciated.

Apply now

It is not too late to apply for an exchange position for 2018. Details on available exchange positions will be advertised in upcoming editions of Newsmonth and also posted on the IEU’s website. There will be some exciting exchange destinations and positions out there. Email helen@ieu.asn.au or call me on 8202 8900 or 1800 467 943. Don’t wait for this; think about applying now and email a brief one page profile to me. Here is a mid year exchange to consider. Mid year exchanges are also becoming popular as you arrive in the Canadian summer and have your big vacation at the beginning of the exchange.

Elementary PE – Toronto – Paul teaches Elementary PE at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Toronto. He is qualified to teach up to Grade 9 and coaches many sports. The school is located in one of the best neighbourhood in Toronto and attracts children from families with the highest incomes in Canada. Paul is single, Catholic and has a four bedroom home available for exchange. The incoming teacher must be Catholic.

For those teachers who have already applied for next year, your applications are in the hands of the overseas coordinators and we are eagerly awaiting matches. All the best for the coming year!

Helen Gregory
Exchange Coordinator