I have just had the documents I sent to the NZQA returned to me along with their document. According to that my PGDE is rated at level 7, my degree at level 7 but my Engineering Postgrad at Level 8. So why is the NZTC saying that I have a level 7 entry point?
I have checked the rules specifically paragraph 4.1.1 of the teachers collective agreement. As I have two subject specialist qualifications, Physics and Mathematics I thought I would be at level 8.
I have asked the school about this and I am waiting to see what they say.
Saturday 28 June 2008
Reference News
Well I got through tho someone at the Local Authority who wasn't a muppet. (An achievement in itself.) They are writing a letter a need for the NZTC and will fax it direct to them, post it to me so I can see what has been said and then I'll post it to NZ.
I've posted the two letters but they were so light only £1.24 for the pair.
Total so far=£1846:39
Costs=£1.24
Total Costs=£1847:73
I've posted the two letters but they were so light only £1.24 for the pair.
Total so far=£1846:39
Costs=£1.24
Total Costs=£1847:73
Friday 27 June 2008
Accomodation News
Ok if you are a teacher in a rural school in NZ you may be offered a Ministry of Education rental house to live in. We were offered a two bed apartment at NZ$100 p/w or a 3 bed bungalow at NZ$135 p/w. Mrs Smidsy works in house rentals and she has all the horror stories of living in a flat so she told me that the bunglaow was the only option. Also we have been told that the rental is literally a five minute walk from the school so there will be no need to drive to work.
These rentals are subsidised but if you leave teaching you pay the non-subsidised rate and can be given 42 days notice to leave if a teacher requires the house.
I'll be sending letters tomorrow so that will be more expense (about £1.56 per C4 envelope by airmail.)
Total Costs=£1846:39
These rentals are subsidised but if you leave teaching you pay the non-subsidised rate and can be given 42 days notice to leave if a teacher requires the house.
I'll be sending letters tomorrow so that will be more expense (about £1.56 per C4 envelope by airmail.)
Total Costs=£1846:39
NZQA News!
I got the reference from the Depute Headmaster today and faxed it to the NZTC. They have sent me a confirmation of receipt along with a little good/bad news.
Good News, the NZQA have pulled their fingers out and assessed my qualifications.
Bad News, they have only awarded level 7 not the level 8 I was expecting with two postgrads (one teaching one in design). That has cost me about $2000 a year (£800ish)
Now I just need to get the letter from the Council and I'm sorted out for the last piece of paper required to get the visa. Stress anybody? I've got lots I could share out.
I'll have to post the hard copy of the reference letter tomorrow.
Total Costs=£1846:39
Good News, the NZQA have pulled their fingers out and assessed my qualifications.
Bad News, they have only awarded level 7 not the level 8 I was expecting with two postgrads (one teaching one in design). That has cost me about $2000 a year (£800ish)
Now I just need to get the letter from the Council and I'm sorted out for the last piece of paper required to get the visa. Stress anybody? I've got lots I could share out.
I'll have to post the hard copy of the reference letter tomorrow.
Total Costs=£1846:39
Wednesday 25 June 2008
I could cheerfully throttle a bureaucrat today.
Well the NZTC got back to me demanding more information so I sent them more. They want info that I was approved to work with children. Needless to say I am well narked off with them.
They demanded information from the Principal (Headmaster). Well it is a real pity that the headmaster has retired and the info they want wouldn't have even been available to him as it was a matter that is dealt with at local authority level in Scotland. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I got onto the Personnel Section of the Education Department of the local authority that was my employer and asked them to provide the info. Guess what- we can't help you with that as we don't have a form letter! The Personnel Section of the Education Department are the people that approved me to work so surely they can say if they approved me. Is that difficult logic. I then did the usual trick,
Me:"I'd like to speak to the head of your department please."
B/Crat: "But she's out."
Me: "OK, I'll speak to her boss"
B/Crat: "That's the Director of Education"
Me: "Good, can you connect me please?"
2 mins later B/Crat "Her line is engaged"
Me: "Can I have the direct dial number then?"
B/Crat: "umm, OK"
I called the Director and got her PA. I explained the situation and she said that the personnel were being idiots and my request was perfectly reasonable. Now either she was playing me like a fiddle or being genuine. I hope the latter. I will call back tomorrow to see what progress she has made.
They demanded information from the Principal (Headmaster). Well it is a real pity that the headmaster has retired and the info they want wouldn't have even been available to him as it was a matter that is dealt with at local authority level in Scotland. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I got onto the Personnel Section of the Education Department of the local authority that was my employer and asked them to provide the info. Guess what- we can't help you with that as we don't have a form letter! The Personnel Section of the Education Department are the people that approved me to work so surely they can say if they approved me. Is that difficult logic. I then did the usual trick,
Me:"I'd like to speak to the head of your department please."
B/Crat: "But she's out."
Me: "OK, I'll speak to her boss"
B/Crat: "That's the Director of Education"
Me: "Good, can you connect me please?"
2 mins later B/Crat "Her line is engaged"
Me: "Can I have the direct dial number then?"
B/Crat: "umm, OK"
I called the Director and got her PA. I explained the situation and she said that the personnel were being idiots and my request was perfectly reasonable. Now either she was playing me like a fiddle or being genuine. I hope the latter. I will call back tomorrow to see what progress she has made.
Monday 23 June 2008
Banking in New Zealand
I've mentioned in an earlier post that I had opened a bank account in New Zealand via the ANZ Migrant Services. In this post I will point out some of the things I have found out about banking in NZ.
I searches Wises Directory (http://www.wises.co.nz/) for banks in the town I am going to. I think having a local branch is important as I will not have free time, or the transport initially, to travel long distances to do some banking. I discovered that there are two banks in the town, one I had heard of and had seen at the migrant fair and one I have only ever seen through shirt sponsorship of NZ Rugby clubs. Both were much of a muchness but once I get over I will ask the locals which bank they think is the better for service etc.
With the banks I have looked at, those that have branches in the town I will be living and working in, there is a monthly charge for having the account, normally NZ$5. This doesn't start until you are actually in country and using the account as you have to take the letter stating that you have a holding account along to the branch to activate the account.
I searches Wises Directory (http://www.wises.co.nz/) for banks in the town I am going to. I think having a local branch is important as I will not have free time, or the transport initially, to travel long distances to do some banking. I discovered that there are two banks in the town, one I had heard of and had seen at the migrant fair and one I have only ever seen through shirt sponsorship of NZ Rugby clubs. Both were much of a muchness but once I get over I will ask the locals which bank they think is the better for service etc.
With the banks I have looked at, those that have branches in the town I will be living and working in, there is a monthly charge for having the account, normally NZ$5. This doesn't start until you are actually in country and using the account as you have to take the letter stating that you have a holding account along to the branch to activate the account.
NZTC Development & Admin
I e-mailed the NZTC last night and CC'd it to the Principal, Vice Principal and the Principal's Secretary. I asked where my application was and told them there was a time critical element. This has had an effect.
Guess what, they are making a decision about the teacher registration tomorrow.
I've also sent my income tax registration form to the school along with some documents that they wanted to do with starting at the school.
The Police Forms have arrived and I have picked up the letter from my doc stating that my diabetes control is spot on and I have a chance of a long life so long as I keep the control up!
Costs to date: £1845:83
New Costs: £1.56
Total Costs=£1846:39
Guess what, they are making a decision about the teacher registration tomorrow.
I've also sent my income tax registration form to the school along with some documents that they wanted to do with starting at the school.
The Police Forms have arrived and I have picked up the letter from my doc stating that my diabetes control is spot on and I have a chance of a long life so long as I keep the control up!
Costs to date: £1845:83
New Costs: £1.56
Total Costs=£1846:39
Saturday 7 June 2008
Follow up to last post
Well I spoke to my own doctor and she, a diabetes specialist, says that the elevated sugar level in the morning can be indicative of a condition that is common in diabetics. The abnormal liver function is due to my statin medications to reduce cholesterol which are essential as diabetics run a four times greater risk of heart attack/stroke than the rest of the population. On the upside she said my last HBA1C figures were excellent and she is awaiting the new HBA1C figure with bated breath. If I get a similar figure she will be pleased. Put simply, HBA1C is a measure of your average blood sugar over the last three months. She is writing a letter to say that my sugar control is excellent and so long as I keep this up my risk of long term complications is low.
I sent an e-mail to the London Branch of the NZIS. I asked about teacher registration, whether I need the certificate or just the registration number. To be a complete PITA, they want the form and not just the number. This could delay my leaving as I am now at the mercy of the NZQA who make glacial creep seem unnecessarily hurried and rushed.
I also asked about flights. I had seen all the information saying that I had to book return flights, which frankly doesn't make sense for someone who is emigrating. They NZIS rep said that as I was going for residence I only needed to book a one way ticket. Yippee!!!! That should save a few pounds.
I sent an e-mail to the London Branch of the NZIS. I asked about teacher registration, whether I need the certificate or just the registration number. To be a complete PITA, they want the form and not just the number. This could delay my leaving as I am now at the mercy of the NZQA who make glacial creep seem unnecessarily hurried and rushed.
I also asked about flights. I had seen all the information saying that I had to book return flights, which frankly doesn't make sense for someone who is emigrating. They NZIS rep said that as I was going for residence I only needed to book a one way ticket. Yippee!!!! That should save a few pounds.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Invitation To Apply (ITA), Medicals and Teacher Reg number
Well exactly as described by the London Branch of the NZIS timetable, one day shy of two weeks after the selection of the EOI, the ITA arrives on my doorstep. Or rather a thick C4 envelope I have to sign for arrives.
The ITA looks suspiciously identical to the EOI you submit but wuth a different title.
Common sense has prevailed, as an English speaker, educated in Britain, I don't have to prove English language ability.
More Photos are required along with the police checks, the medical certs etc etc etc.
The ITA take 4-6 weeks to process. EEEk- That is cutting it fine.
I had to go to the doctor today as some of my liver function figures were not great and one of the other tests showed abnormal but given my medical history, they are to be expected. The doctor has to produce a letter stating a prognosis and she has told me she is going to be honest but that honesty will actually help as one of my other blood tests shows that my medical condition is under tight control.
I now have a teacher registration number. I will e-mail my immigration contact and see if that satisfies his requirements.
I will also ask him the seemingly stupid question. As someone going for residence, I am assuming I can buy one way tickets not returns as in those getting tourist visas.
The ITA looks suspiciously identical to the EOI you submit but wuth a different title.
Common sense has prevailed, as an English speaker, educated in Britain, I don't have to prove English language ability.
More Photos are required along with the police checks, the medical certs etc etc etc.
The ITA take 4-6 weeks to process. EEEk- That is cutting it fine.
I had to go to the doctor today as some of my liver function figures were not great and one of the other tests showed abnormal but given my medical history, they are to be expected. The doctor has to produce a letter stating a prognosis and she has told me she is going to be honest but that honesty will actually help as one of my other blood tests shows that my medical condition is under tight control.
I now have a teacher registration number. I will e-mail my immigration contact and see if that satisfies his requirements.
I will also ask him the seemingly stupid question. As someone going for residence, I am assuming I can buy one way tickets not returns as in those getting tourist visas.
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