More than 350 new teachers take up their posts

18/1/02
A number of mature-aged graduates and a willingness to work in the country mark this year's intake of more than 350 new teachers appointed to our Government schools.
Speaking at the Graduate Teacher Induction Day 2002 in Perth today, Education Minister Alan Carpenter congratulated the 200 new teachers present for embarking on one of the most rewarding professions.
"This is a challenging but very important profession as you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people," Mr Carpenter said.
He said two weeks before the start of the school year, the Department of Education had employed 353 new graduate teachers.
Of those, about 100 were going to city or Peel District schools and about 250 to country schools.
More than 170 were primary teachers, about 130 were high school teachers, more than 25 were pre-primary teachers and 15 were Education Support teachers.
Of those so far employed, 252 were women and 101 were men.
"They include a significant group of mature-age people who are entering teaching after pursuing other careers," Mr Carpenter said.
"For example, there is a man in his 40s, with a background in marketing, who will be teaching computing.
"A former legal secretary has taken up a position as a primary teacher and a woman who migrated from India, with qualifications in accounting and economics and a background in banking, is taking a position as a business education teacher.
"It's very exciting to see people with considerable life and practical experience in other professions coming into our Government schools."
Graduates will take up postings as far away as Kalumburu and Oombulgurri remote community schools in the Kimberley and Tjurkula Remote Community School in the Goldfields.
Practical support is available for new graduates once they start work.
"The Graduate Support Program run by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching is a professional support program accessible to all teachers, particularly those in rural and remote locations," Mr Carpenter said.
"The program consists of a professional support network, additional professional development and a formal school-based mentoring program.
"Also, many of the district offices, especially those in rural areas, organise and encourage the local community to arrange events to make the towns as welcoming as possible to graduates."
Minister's Office - 9213 6800