What do you do for a living.

[smac]

I wish the teachers at our school did leave at 3.30 as that way I could get a park when my kids have sports training.
Most still there at & 5 and quite a few there when we drop the kids off at OSH at 7.10am.
They do more work in a day than I do a fortnight!

I reckon you get good schools and bad schools - the culture seems to breed around schools one way or the other, leading to a useful or useless environment.

[smac]

Smac, I work at a Catholic College, definitely not one of the highflying expensive schools. I honestly believe that the average teacher would put in at least a 50-60 hour week. As for 90 hours a week, I did say that that was most teachers whom I know. 90 may be a slight exaggeration but I would certainly say 70 plus (including co-curricular activities).

Cheers

I never mentioned expense, but it is one of the better schools in the state.

Just a curious point though, you volunteer time to assist in childrens sport/extra-curricular activities. So do I, but I don't consider it work. Are you obliged to volunteer or is it something you choose to do?

[Andy #24]

Andy, please be aware that some, if not most, medical students are not in it for the money. My lady friend, Sheree, ran a very successful physiotherapy practice for many years before deciding to go into medicine a few years ago. She has had to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost earnings to do this. Additionally, even when she graduates as a doctor at the end of this year she will be on a very meagre salary compared to what she was earning in her own physiotherapy practice. She has gone into medicine so that she can treat the whole person. There are several in the course studying with her who were previously lawyers. They have also gone into medicine out of a desire to serve mankind. Some are very disillusioned with the legal system and the fact that how the law treats you is more to do with how much money you have rather than what you have suffered (in many cases). Not putting the legal profession down, just letting you know that many see medicine as far more beneficial for serving mankind than law.
Cheers

I agree with you mate, did you read the fine print underneath. I was just winding up Psyber. Law and Med students like to wind eachother up and I would say a fair percentage of both took up their respective courses because it made them feel important.

You're right about the legal system as well for civil cases at least. Even poor criminals get a fair trial but if you want to take anything else to court the cost is astronomical and I imagine it puts most people off.

Keep sticking up for the teachers too mate. My parents are chalkies and lots of people don't recognise the work they do. Most students don't realise how hard they work until they hit year 12. At Balaklava our Maths 2 teacher was giving extra 2 hr classes after school just to help us out. Usually no-one at that school did maths 2 but we had 9 people in that class and a few of us went on to do courses at uni were it was a prerequisite. This wouldn't have happened without that teacher.

[Wedgie]

I reckon you get good schools and bad schools - the culture seems to breed around schools one way or the other, leading to a useful or useless environment.

Agreed.
Ideally Id live closer to town but I never want to move the kids from their current school.
Another thing I find interesting is the diverse range of fees from public school to public school.
We pay $200 pa for each child (includes everything except excursions) but others have indicated to me that what we pay is very cheap.
Perhaps we should start another topic as its an interesting topic but getting off topic.

[rogernumber10]

Smac, I work at a Catholic College, definitely not one of the highflying expensive schools. I honestly believe that the average teacher would put in at least a 50-60 hour week. As for 90 hours a week, I did say that that was most teachers whom I know. 90 may be a slight exaggeration but I would certainly say 70 plus (including co-curricular activities).

Cheers

I never mentioned expense, but it is one of the better schools in the state.

Just a curious point though, you volunteer time to assist in childrens sport/extra-curricular activities. So do I, but I don't consider it work. Are you obliged to volunteer or is it something you choose to do?

I'll stick up for BDP here.

Teachers didn't have a choice when I was at Igs as a student. All teachers were required, not expected or asked, to commit to a winter sport and a summer sport, which meant running training two nights a week and then match days either Saturday morning (the junior teams) or Saturday arvo (the senior teams). The teachers we had at the time that were good sportsmen (still playing district cricket or good ammos footy), were always in charge of the most junior teams playing at 8.30 on a Saturday morning, so they could get to their own sport commitments by early arvo. And they were obviously training themselves after running a kid's session.
The priests, who ran the school, just said that's how it was if you are going to teach here.

[Dogwatcher]

I have 3 Uncles, 2 Aunties & my Dad who were/are school teachers/Principals.

What the heck happened to you then Punky?????

[smac]

I feel like I am being misinterpreted here... I'm not having a crack at teachers, just the 90 hours per week comment, which has since been clarified.

Thanks for the clarification on "volunteering" at Igs Rog, appreciated. I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

[Mic]

Yep, many private schools seem intent on making sure their staff have very little of their own time (for those extra things like family and sleep) by enforcing staff to coach and attend sporting events out of hours. Although I teach in a public school, I've been asked a lot to coach of sports. I've always replied by suggesting that a parent who actually has a child in the team should be the coach.

I find 50 hours the minimum I can get by with, but usually it's closer to 60 hours, and going over 70 hours around report writing/interview time.

Public schools have set their own school fees for quite a few years now. It may vary depending on their facilities/resources, 'extra' programs, amount of excursions they have, etc.

Different points of view could be argued about what makes a great school - is it staff, facilities, amount of computers, age of buildings, sport/art/tech etc programs, special ed support, grounds, etc? Staff and schools all have their strengths and weaknesses.

[Footy Chick]

Smac, I work at a Catholic College, definitely not one of the highflying expensive schools. I honestly believe that the average teacher would put in at least a 50-60 hour week. As for 90 hours a week, I did say that that was most teachers whom I know. 90 may be a slight exaggeration but I would certainly say 70 plus (including co-curricular activities).

Cheers

I never mentioned expense, but it is one of the better schools in the state.

Just a curious point though, you volunteer time to assist in childrens sport/extra-curricular activities. So do I, but I don't consider it work. Are you obliged to volunteer or is it something you choose to do?

I'll stick up for BDP here.

Teachers didn't have a choice when I was at Igs as a student. All teachers were required, not expected or asked, to commit to a winter sport and a summer sport, which meant running training two nights a week and then match days either Saturday morning (the junior teams) or Saturday arvo (the senior teams). The teachers we had at the time that were good sportsmen (still playing district cricket or good ammos footy), were always in charge of the most junior teams playing at 8.30 on a Saturday morning, so they could get to their own sport commitments by early arvo. And they were obviously training themselves after running a kid's session.
The priests, who ran the school, just said that's how it was if you are going to teach here.

No they didn't have any choice, was fun though watching Soccer practice after Netball practice with Deggers and his tight shorts...

[Pseudo]

Perhaps we should start another topic as its an interesting topic but getting off topic.

Agreed. I am following this with some interest since my own crotchfruit will be entering school in a few years' time. We have been discussing the merits of public/private/etc education recently. I am interested to hear others' POV on the matter.

[rogernumber10]

I feel like I am being misinterpreted here... I'm not having a crack at teachers, just the 90 hours per week comment, which has since been clarified.

Thanks for the clarification on "volunteering" at Igs Rog, appreciated. I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

Not having a crack at you, but I remember thinking at the time it was a tough call on 1-2 blokes who had aspirations of state cricket, that they were compelled to do a summer sport, when they were fully prepared to do extra winter stuff, to try and keep summer free for their cricket dreams.

Separately, that didn't stop me really hating 1-2 teachers I had. The good teachers I had, I still keep in touch with some 25 years down the track, long after I'm gone and they are mostly out of teaching too.

[rogernumber10]

No they didn't have any choice, was fun though watching Soccer practice after Netball practice with Deggers and his tight shorts...

Dega, also known as Mega I believe
He was just after my time.

Rob Nak liked to wear the shorts a lot in my time, for the benefit of the student populace

[bulldogproud]

Smac, as 'Roger' has said, there is no choice given to staff here (although it now has gone down from both a winter and summer sport to just one semester - at least that is my understanding and I hope I am right! ). I love cricket so have ended up assisting the 1st XI (trainings two nights a week for 2 hours each and being at matches from 11:30 until 5:30pm on Saturdays). Admittedly, I would still do this as a volunteer if it was not part of my role. On the downside, it means I miss A Grade District Cricket which I have been involved in for over 25 years as a scorer. I do concur with all that was said earlier about Iggies being a great school though. Heck, we even produced 'Roger'!!
FC, what is your connection with Iggies? Good to know there is a connection btw.
Cheers

[rogernumber10]

I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

By the way, just so the teachers weren't the only ones under orders, it was compulsory too for the students to commit to a winter and a summer sport as well. If you missed training, it was detention. If you didn't turn up to play without a valid reason, it was detention. If you were injured, you were still expected to turn up and support your team on the Saturday. The priests ran a pretty tight ship.

[Andy #24]

I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

By the way, just so the teachers weren't the only ones under orders, it was compulsory too for the students to commit to a winter and a summer sport as well. If you missed training, it was detention. If you didn't turn up to play without a valid reason, it was detention. If you were injured, you were still expected to turn up and support your team on the Saturday. The priests ran a pretty tight ship.

No wonder my lab partner at uni from Iggies had a t-shirt "I survived 10 years of jesuit education!"

[rogernumber10]

The Jesuits produce very driven people. It's just a worry if some are them (us) are driving at a very rapid pace in the wrong direction.

I have that same t-shirt too.

[smac]

I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

By the way, just so the teachers weren't the only ones under orders, it was compulsory too for the students to commit to a winter and a summer sport as well. If you missed training, it was detention. If you didn't turn up to play without a valid reason, it was detention. If you were injured, you were still expected to turn up and support your team on the Saturday. The priests ran a pretty tight ship.

I recall all the stories of schools with similar policies and was pretty thankful that we didn't have it. Although it reflected in our results.

[Punk Rooster]

I have 3 Uncles, 2 Aunties & my Dad who were/are school teachers/Principals.

What the heck happened to you then Punky?????

Those who can "do", those who can't "teach"

[Dogwatcher]

I know at Concordia nothing was compulsory for anyone (teachers or students) as far as sport went.

By the way, just so the teachers weren't the only ones under orders, it was compulsory too for the students to commit to a winter and a summer sport as well. If you missed training, it was detention. If you didn't turn up to play without a valid reason, it was detention. If you were injured, you were still expected to turn up and support your team on the Saturday. The priests ran a pretty tight ship.

I recall all the stories of schools with similar policies and was pretty thankful that we didn't have it. Although it reflected in our results.

Their policy/results sounds similar to the school I went to Smac. Although I understand my old school is ac lot tighter on that sort of thing these days - started jusrt as I was leaving. My final year was the first year we had a First 18 (giving me a nice place in teh school's history).

[Footy Chick]

No they didn't have any choice, was fun though watching Soccer practice after Netball practice with Deggers and his tight shorts...

Dega, also known as Mega I believe
He was just after my time.

Rob Nak liked to wear the shorts a lot in my time, for the benefit of the student populace

Rob Nak, accounting teacher extrordanaire!.... is now teaching at St Pauls, I found this out by accident when attending my best mates son's graduation last year.. BDP, if you are teaching accounting, you would have some big shoes to fill! Rob Nak was an Iggies legend.. Economics - Ian Dales?