This week I've been applying "cold" to 15 secondary schools along the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, which is where I was brought up, to the age of 11. It's not ideal, because I can't physically go and call in yet, but at least I'm raising awareness of my availability to the school leaders.
I did the interview on Monday of last week - if you remember, I was getting up super-early to be suited and booted! That was a screening interview for a Deputy Principal post by an organisational psychologist, who decides on which candidates are put forward to the interview panel stage. I found it interesting, much of it about my application, resume, etc - but I don't think I've been interviewed by a psych before! I should hear by Monday of next week whether I've been recommended for the next stage.
One of my fab cousins in QLD has sent me lists of independent and faith schools in QLD so I'll attack that this weekend when I'm back up north. Again, it's applying "cold" but it will get my CV, or what QLD are calling "resume", out there.
I've taken part in another Webinar by QLD Education - again, fascinating to hear the experiences of the school leaders and what they're looking for. It was another 7am call! After the UK clocks went back, QLD is now 10 hours ahead - I didn't remember that QLD doesn't do daylight saving, their times always stay fixed. I guess as a child (last time I lived there was 1975) I wasn't much interested in clocks/time, etc. I also emailed all of the QLD Education teams in the different regions (there are six) to indicate I'm ready for work - most of them have replied back to me and have found my original application from April 2018, where they're waiting for me to have an Australian mobile number. So at least it's all joined up!
I've also applied for a pastoral role in a very rural North Queensland school, which sounds amazing. It even has stabling for those students who want to bring their horses to school! Fingers crossed! I spent quite some time re-writing my application as my day to day job as Principal isn't so focused on pastoral, it's more about academic progress and organisational issues.
And I've begun packing moving boxes!! I've decided not to take the large oak dresser and corner cabinets - they match my lovely house in Garforth but unlikely to match Australian décor, as most is stripped wood and white tiles, I think. So I need to put it on ebay or gumtree - and I need to make sure it's empty!
I've had more contact with my removal firm, the fabulous Bishop's Move - I used them to move from Headingley to Garforth in 2013. The same guy came out to check on the loads! Apparently I'm going to need just a little bit more than the 20 ft container I'd hoped for.. so they add it as "groupage" in another container which is shared with other people. On the day, they might be able to fit it into the 20 ft unit - I hope so! I've got to make sure that I get rid of stuff I really don't want to take. That's hard - I spent some time in the loft at the weekend, going through things for the children and what I wanted to take with me. Had a call earlier today from Purple Bricks, the lovely Ross, who is the lettings manager - my little house is going on the rental market on Monday of next week and he is planning viewing sessions. This makes it sooo real! I'll be coming back to the house at the end of the week to a "To Let" sign.... gosh!
No comments:
Post a Comment