Teacher Registration-Great News

I called the NZTC on Sunday night to find that the Council had not sent the letter saying that I used to work for them. Monday morning I speak to the bloke who I had spoken to a week before and he expressed surprise that the letter hadn't been done as he had passed it onto a worker to do. I went down to the council offices and got the letter on Monday afternoon, went to my parents house and used their fax machine to send the letter to NZ. I will post it later today.

This morning I got an e-mail from the NZTC stating that I had been approved! They are faxing the certificate to my parents house tonight and posting me the original.

I now have to arrange a quick trip to London and New Zealand house.

Costs to date=£1847:73
New Costs=£1.00 (Parking)
Total Costs=£1848:73

NZQA Return of Documents and my confusion

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.

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.

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

New Zealand Teachers Council

The NZTC is the professional registration body for teachers in NZ. It does the same role as the GTC(S) and the GTC(E).

For an overseas teacher you have to first register using a TC1. The link for this is below.

http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/registration/how/forms.stm

This will cost you NZ$120.

Once you have met the requirements of the NZTC you can move to full registration which is done using a TC2. Download from the same place as the TC1. This will cost you NZ$80.

You normally need two years teaching experience so those who have done the Scottish system and a year of supply afterwards will qualify.

Costs Paid this post: Nil
Running Total of Costs: £150

The expression of interest and points

This is the form that tells the New Zealand government that you want to emigrate to there. It costs NZ$400 (about £160) to submit it so you have to get it right. I am applying as a "Skilled Worker" but without a job I have about 120 points. 140 points is the usual breakpoint for automatic entry. With a job offer I am at 175 points.

To fill in this online form: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/default.htm
Now register for the online services and you can fill in the form. The form says it will take 2 hours. Try 6 hours. The older you are, the more you have to enter like children, qualifications, family etc etc etc. This form is saved for you can have as many versions of it on the go at the same time but you can only submit one expression of interest, so make sure you get it right before you submit it.

I have worked out that I can get another 100 points if the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) to assess my postgraduate qualifications which will be another fee. They have to assess my degree too and pass this onto the NZ Teachers Council (the teachers professional registration body) to ensure that I get paid at the correct rate. Guess what. That is another fee .

Luckily the NZ government has a scheme that if you take up employment as a teacher within 3 months of arriving, you get $4000 (about £1600).
To claim this money: http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl5015_v1/2005-aug-international-relocation-grant-form.doc

I have to go to my various universities and get transcripts of every qualification.

Costs in this post : Nil
Running total : £150