What a Deal!

I recently learned about some of the perks that come with this job, that is, if you're an Aussie teacher. We Exchangees, we just get the amazing scenery, friendly people, beautiful children with gorgeous accents, and fun-filled weekends as our perks.

Teachers here have Long Service Leave. After ten years teaching, one earns three weeks of paid vacation to take whenever one would like. Each year after, one earns an additional week. Some folks save them up and retire much earlier than expected, using their LSL as paid leave before the retirement checks come in. Others use it to take extended road trips visiting this country, or long house swaps, perhaps to other parts of the world.

Another option for teachers here is called something catchy, but basically it is 4 years on, one year off. One claims this at the start, and then one is paid for 4 years over a 5 year period. Every 5th year they take the year off.

What does this end up looking like in the classroom? Substitutes, called Casuals, are given long placements, or temporaries are hired for the year. Teachers are traveling, working on projects, or helping elder parents at different times throughout the year. It seems as though it would be disruptive for the children or the flow of the curriculum. But hey. I did it! Who am I to talk??