The beginning…
School has been back full on. Prior to coming I heard stories of how the teaching will be difficult, and some even compared it to their first year of teaching. Well I can confirm, it’s hard and similar to my first year where everything is new. Luckily I do have a bag of tricks to aid in classroom management.
The school year consists of 4 terms each 10 weeks long with 2 weeks holidays in between each term. The longest break (6 weeks) comes at the end of the year for Christmas and Summer holidays.
The school hours are 8:50-3:00. We open the classroom door by 8:35, and students are encouraged to get organised before the bell rings. Since the buildings are all outside parents can walk their child into the classroom, and often the first 20 minutes I am greeting students and parents. When the bell rings, the gates surrounding the school gets locked to ensure safety.
Finding the familiar in the unfamiliar…
The subjects and bell schedule are pretty much the same. There is a big emphasis on English skills such as grammar, spelling and handwriting. I have less duty times here, where I supervise students outside during recess or lunch, and I have the same amount of planning time. There are specialist teachers that enable classroom teachers to do duties other than teaching (DOTT time). My class gets a specialist teacher for Phys. Ed., Music, Visual Arts, Indonesian and Intensive English. When I explain my Canadian teaching role to the Aussies, I compare it to being a DOTT teacher but I have to go into other classrooms and I am not specialised.
Students have to learn a language other than English but there is no specific language they need to learn in Western Australia. At my school, it happens to be Indonesian but in another school it might be French or Mandarin. I don’t really know how they decide.
The curriculums are similar. I think the curriculum documents are even thicker in Ontario, but here we meet more often outside of school hours to discuss goal setting and planning. It’s very similar to our PLCs (in-school meetings) but done in our own time.
Kids here wear uniforms, which I think is a great idea. I love not having to worry about the dress code especially in the summer. My colleagues at home can relate with me about having to address proper attire during the hot days. Kids must wear hats to play outside. At my school, the hats come in 4 colours and the kids are put into factions (house teams). They can earn points for their faction by showing good behaviour as well as factions compete against each other during sport each week.
Since I teach year 3/4 my year 3 students will write a standardised test called NAPLAN in term 2. It is very similar to our EQAO,except we do it earlier in the year, and we can use the results to help with planning. As standardised testing goes, there is always pressure to improve scores especially if your school scores low.
I’m going to be okay…
As challenging as all of this may sound, I am enjoying the waves and trying to learn and reflect as I go. My school encourages teaching mindfulness and then they just received some robots and tech for coding. I feel like I’m in the right place and also can contribute to discussions.
I love reading about the adventure you are having! Thanks for blogging.
Paul’s cousin – Cheryl
That’s awesome, Theresa! Really interesting, what a great opportunity for you and your family!
Shirley
You make it sound like you have it all under control and I’m sure you do 🙂 Glad to hear the transition is going well and you are settling in okay at school! Let’s chat soon xo
Hi Theresa,
Interesting, I wish we had our school year consisting of 4 terms each 10 weeks long with 2 weeks holidays in between each term. It looks like you have new desks and chairs in your room.
I like the covered areas and the outside lunch place. Glad you have less duties.
Here at Cundles we are busy as ever. Skye is a lot of fun and is enjoying all kinds of activities.
Take Care,
Diane
Glad to hear!! Hi to all the peeps at Cundles!! Cheers!