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 re-adjusting 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 and website stories.
Welcome to our 2014 exchange teachers from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Wales. 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 at the Welcome Reception on the 14 February and at various exchange events held throughout the year.
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 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, which includes 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 Exchange Coordinator Helen Gregory on 8202 8900. Your support would be much appreciated.
It is not too late to apply for an exchange position for 2015. Details on available exchange positions to Canada, the UK, Colorado and international schools will be advertised in the next issue of Newsmonth and also posted on the IEU’s website. There will be some exciting exchange destinations and positions out there.
Here is just one example to consider:
Vancouver BC – Tracy is a Counsellor in a secondary school in Surrey in Vancouver BC. She is also qualified to teach PE. Tracy is married to Scott who teaches Science (and or Maths) and they have a five-year old boy Finn. Tracy lost her exchange very late last year and she has been fortunate to carry over her air tickets and travel insurance until next year or even a September start this year (these exchanges are popular and work well). There would be lots of flexibility in the school for the incoming teacher. Another option would be that Scott applies for the exchange ie the incoming teacher would teach Science (and/or Maths). Again, there is flexibility for the incoming teacher.
And this is why you should consider an exchange to Vancouver:
“If anyone has been thinking about doing a teaching exchange, and I know there are a few of you out there . . . do it! The most common thing I heard when telling friends or colleagues about the year ahead was ‘I have always wanted to do that’. It is easy, go ahead and apply and one thing is certain, you will love it.
“I enjoyed my first exchange to so much six years ago that I was keen to apply again. I was excited to hear that there was a chance to go to Vancouver in 2014. The opportunity to live in another country and experience everything it has to offer was too good to miss.
“At school, students and colleagues are keen to hear about how different things are in Australia... not too much, but apparently we have a ‘cool accent’. That’s one way to keep the students listening.
“The weekends have provided a chance to embrace winter. . .snowshoeing and skiing in the mountains as well as cheering on the local ice hockey team. This is just the first month of what promises to be an exciting year with many more adventures ahead.”
Fiona is on exchange from Oakhill College in Castle Hill to Frank Hurt Secondary School in Surrey, British Columbia.
For those teachers who have already applied for next year, your applications are in the hands of the overseas co-ordinators and we are eagerly awaiting matches. All the best for the coming year!