SA schools to recruit 1000 teachers as year 7s move into high school
It’s not just the students who’ll be making the jump to high school when year 7 moves up. There’ll be jobs for 1000 teachers too.
Schools Hub
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schools Hub. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More than 1000 jobs will be available as teachers join students when year 7s move to high school.
“It’s a tremendous time to be looking to work in the high school system,” Education Minister John Gardner said.
“We are looking for teachers who are adaptable and willing to go the extra mile to ensure our high school students receive the best possible education and guidance for their future.”
Year 7s will move into high schools at all government schools from 2022.
This will create 800 new teaching positions, with a further 200 forecast from population growth and an ongoing trend of more students attending public than non-government schools.
The move will result in 500 fewer positions in primary schools.
The Education Department has begun to recruit the high school teachers, with the first round only open to permanent primary school teachers at government schools.
“We would like hundreds of teachers to make the move from primary to high school,” Mr Gardner said.
Permanent teachers who chose not to move up had “security of employment that’s guaranteed”, he said.
There had already been significant interest from teachers, which was why the first stage was restricted with applications due by September 23. Broader recruitment for any registered teachers would open later.
The recruitment drive numbers did not include include teachers for new schools at Aldinga, Angle Vale, Goolwa and Whyalla.
Stacey Bartlett, who had been teaching at Paringa Park Primary, got in early – joining Wirreanda Secondary School which has been piloting year 7s this year.
“It can seem really daunting moving from a small school but you will be supported,” she said.
A history major at university, she was enjoying teaching specialist subjects in the areas she loved most as well as the opportunity to go on excursions further afield than at primary levels.
Darlington Primary teacher Chelsea Pfitz-Williams has signed up to make the jump.
“I worked in the arts industry before becoming a teacher so I see this as an opportunity to guide young adults into that career,” she said.
