Wednesday, December 26, 2018

11 days to go...

So just 11 days to go.....!!

Last week I have said goodbye to colleagues and students at my final ever British headship, and to the MAT I've worked in since April 2017.  I'm sad to be leaving my colleagues, I've enjoyed working and learning with them, and to students, where I've enjoyed supervising and talking to them.  I've missed teaching classes this term, as in my previous headships I was lucky enough to teach GCSE and A Level History.  However, I know that I'm likely to teach again in the future in QLD, if I get on to a supply/relief register.  I've packed up all my Christmas decorations (pink, obviously!) and all my office gear, ready to put in the loft... ready to be packed again by the Bishops Move boys on 2nd January! I wasn't sad to be driving up the A1 home again, though - I am heartily sick of driving and not living at home.

I've got mixed feelings about leaving headship, to be honest. I know I've made a positive difference to every school I've led, or where I've been part of the Senior Leadership Team. But headship has changed in the two decades I've been in British education. It's not a long-term sustainable role in one school, and the pressure heads feel around exam results time is unfair and again, not sustainable for heads' mental health over time. No head ever came into our profession to make things worse for students, nor to be penalised for students' outcomes. Yet that is how commentators seem to view our roles now. It's been interesting to watch the BBC2 programme "School", where there was a real genuine communication of what our world is like. As teachers, we came into the profession because we loved our subject and wanted to share that love with students. I'm always gladdened to hear from former students about their own love of history which I've helped to develop - one of my favourite moments in the last term was when a colleague from a former school shared with me on Twitter her daughter's lesson planning, now as a history teacher herself, using resources I had uploaded to the Internet in 2004-5! I'm optimistic though that the new Ofsted framework, which I was lucky enough to pilot through an inspection on curriculum, might bring a different perspective to this "football manager" syndrome for heads. I do hope so.

Now that I've finished working, I can reflect on the last four years as a self-employed interim principal/headteacher. In four years of having my limited company, I've lived at home for only two terms out of twelve.... that's just mad. And it's confirmed my view that whatever I do next, wherever it is, I'm not going to live away from my home. "Rebuilding my snowman" overnight is hard enough, but to do it away from your own things, the cats, special people, makes it nearly impossible. I'm proud of myself for succeeding at being self-employed and having continued to build my reputation as a school leader.  I'm also proud of being able to adapt to this different way of working.

Also, I can now turn my full brain on to the Big Move and the wedding. I'm so excited for the daughter's big day on Sunday 30th - I hope the weather is kind to them and that everyone who is invited enjoys the celebrations. She has been planning this since the engagement in April and she has put so much thought into each aspect of the whole day and evening. I cannot wait!

I've also had a delightful family weekend, with my son and his new wife, and my daughter and her fiance (wedding is under a week away now!) - we did Christmas food, but no turkey as they all did turkey with other family members on Christmas Day! I'm so proud of these two young people - in my head they are still toddlers! They have become such brilliant adults with a love of life and clear vision which I totally adore. 

In terms of things to cancel this week, it was finally close enough in time and date for me to ring TV Licensing for them to make a note of my leaving date!  Funnily enough, the TV Licensing team had rung me after I'd cancelled the Direct Debit to say that I'd have to pay for 3 months' licence from 1 Jan to 3 Jan .... and then claim a refund for February and March (note, not the remainder of January).... "so why can't I just pay for 3 days' worth of TV?... That's not in our policy". That's not consumer-friendly, is it?! I can't understand how archaic this is - but then, it's about funding the national TV channel, isn't it, not anything else. I'll just make sure that I'm watching saved TV (not live) on my ipad and not BBC I-player, of course, because you still need a TV licence for that.

I also continued cancelling Direct Debits this week to companies I no longer have any contracts with, or where I'm ending a contract.  Sky have been emailing and texting, saying "are you sure you want to leave us?"  I guess that's a good marketing strategy, in case people have second thoughts about leaving Sky. 

I've also had the final bill for the cats' transport - well over £3,500! That doesn't include the insurance for them either. But they are so worth it. I really hope they survive the trauma of the flights and the quarantine, and that they still speak to me on Monday 14 Jan when I pick them up in Brisbane!

One unexpected joy, which I haven't mentioned before in my blog, is that two months ago I got back in touch, via a mutual friend's comment, with an old acquaintance, someone I'd worked with way back in Allerton High days. We have reconnected and fallen in love, which is just amazing. I know - not what I was expecting or looking for! But it's fantastic and I'm very happy.  I feel sure that we will transcend the geographical distance and there will be frequent trans-Pacific flights both ways!








Sunday, December 16, 2018

3 weeks to go...

So just 3 weeks to go - 21 days - and still so much to do!

In terms of the cats, they are now all jabbed up and ready to depart on 2 January in their double crate. They'll be able to see each other but not touch each other through the dividing panel. They'll have another set of jabs/tablets in London before they are boarded on the flight. They are going Qantas to Melbourne, where they'll stay in quarantine for 10 days. If they are fit and well and free of any bugs, I can get them at lunchtime on Monday 14 January.

The removal firm also come on 2 January to begin the packing of the sea container. That will continue into 3 January. Fingers crossed my stuff will all fit into one 20ft unit - that alone costs over £5k with insurance. So I really need it to fit! Otherwise I have to pay for additional carriage as a part-filled container - "groupage" they call it. They've said that my belongings will arrive in Brisbane port on Saturday 23 February. I don't know how long it will take to clear customs and quarantine, but this gives me a good start point for having a flat/house to rent by that weekend.

I spent part of one evening this week cancelling direct debits - I was surprised at how many I still had on my bank account for things that are no longer needed. What was interesting was the response from a couple of them, almost immediately, saying "keep it open, we might need another payment".  I haven't re-started those - I think they can send an invoice and I can pay online/by cheque if I need to. One of those was the TV licensing team - they were the ones who wouldn't take my information over the phone?! Obviously the bank gets in touch with companies where you cancel the direct debit.

I've not heard anything back from Leeds City Council re: the council tax - I wonder if they've got a backlog of items to deal with?

Some of these were lottery tickets - I'm never going to check what the numbers are again in case they are mine! I've also cancelled postcode lottery, because technically, though I own the address, I don't live at it.

I've organised a cleaning company to come in and do a "deep clean", whatever that is, I just care about the oven and the skirting boards, on the day after the removal team leave. I had planned to do it myself but actually, I'm mindful of the stress of everything else and need to take care of myself a bit more - I cancelled a weekend away in Birmingham this weekend, just feel quite fragile and not 100% myself.

I created new spreadsheets last week, to monitor and predict my expenditure in the UK even when I'm in Australia, and to monitor Australian expenditure from Australia. It's hard to predict but I'm using what I spend now in the UK as a starting point.  People tell me that the cost of living in Australia is higher than in the UK, and I've seen some of those TV programmes who say that too. 

I heard back from one of my sister's school-friends who has links with rental agencies and he's given me another contact to follow up. I'm wondering if not having a permanent job will be a hindrance to me renting somewhere? Maybe I'll need an Australian guarantor?  

I've also withdrawn my ISAs because I'll need capital in Australia, particularly if I don't get work. I was intending to use my ISAs to buy a house, but that might have to be delayed until my pension kicks in, in Feb 2024, when I get the lump sum from the old scheme.

I've had some post this week at home from Sky for the new tenants - another thing that makes it real!

I've had more contact with old friends via the Christmas cards and from the blog - how lovely that anyone is reading it!

I'm feeling quite nostalgic this weekend - I've got a handful of decorations up for Xmas but without the dresser, sofa and corner unit, the house looks very empty. For Xmas and New Year, I'll be here alone with the cats, which is a lovely way to say goodbye to my house.

My last week ahead as a headteacher - probably ever, if my experience in getting a job in Oz continues! We had the Xmas lunch on Friday which the students and staff really enjoyed - lovely to be a part of it, though as an interim, you're never really there, particularly once the substantive is appointed and visiting.





Sunday, December 9, 2018

Under a month now....

So now just a month away - 28 days to be precise. Wow! Only 9 days left in our academic year, so that's just a handful of long drives now.

This week has been all about giving notice on boring things like utilities, to be honest! For anyone embarking on this type of activity, moving from Leeds abroad, here's some relevant and hopefully useful info:

  • Leeds City Council for Council tax - you download a form, complete it and post it back snail-mail
  • Sky (for TV and broadband and phone line) - you need to ring up and to give 31 days' notice for the TV contract, 14 days' notice for the broadband and phone line. It takes a while to get all of the cancellation done, but it's all confirmed by email afterwards. You need to leave the direct debit in place just in case there's anything to come back to you.
  • TV licence - you have to ring up... and then they won't take the information unless it's 14 days before you are leaving... so I'll have to ring again!
  • Unions  - ASCL and NASUWT - you can cancel by email and then close down your direct debits from your bank.
  • Yorkshire Water - need you to book a call-back from them, so they can speak to you in person about moving. They were very efficient, did it all over the phone and will organise any refund through direct debit.

Oh, and I ought to add - I always use the app, WeQ4u to dial these types of numbers. It is way cheaper than using traditional mobile calls and I think I've saved about £10 per month since I got the app.

An update on applications for leadership posts - three more knock-back emails this week, so again I've asked for feedback, so I can see what the main issues are. One piece of feedback said that I needed to put in applications how I'd used the Australian Curriculum, Literacy strategy and data-driven inquiry cycles - it makes me think that the shortlisting process must be very precise, with the successful candidates being able to tick all these boxes. I've paused the process of applying for things now - having applied for so many posts and having been rejected for so many, I'm going to wait and see once I'm actually there, with an Australian mobile number and address. I'm not feeling particularly positive about a leadership post in the QLD system - maybe it's time for a complete career change.

Cats are due at the vets tomorrow for their final vaccinations before their flight on 2 January. I've confirmed their flights (they're going Qantas) and their travel crates, so all systems go for them. I feel guilty every time I see their little faces!





Monday, December 3, 2018

5 weeks to go..

Wow - just under 5 weeks left in the UK. I can't quite focus on how quickly this is all going. For so many years it's just been a dream. Then it got closer in Jan 2017 when I went for a month... and now here I am with just 34 days left before I can realise my life-long dream!

I used my Australian repatriation life goal with staff when I did some CPD a couple of weeks ago - I was saying to colleagues that we all have goals that we work towards.... and I was querying out loud with them, what my next goal would be?

I've given quite a bit of thought to that now. I think it will be to have replicated the quality of life I have now - but an improved version:
  • Hopefully living at home, working nearby so I don't have to live out of a suitcase - I've been doing that since I became self-employed in 2015! 
  • Having great relationships with my grown-up children and their spouses, being ready to welcome new grand-babies eventually!
  • Having a wide circle of Australian friends and knowing people to go to the pictures with, for a meal, etc. 
  • Re-connecting with my Australian cousins and seeing them much more often than every 2 years. 
  • Building my own support network - facials, massages, nails, waxes, hair, yoga, pilates and then the boring support bits like plumbers, builders, car mechanics - boring but essential!
  • Living my life outdoors - every meal outside, walking, cycling (if it's flat!), being on the beach as often as I can
  • Being happy at work, doing something useful - but maybe not in education
  • Being happy generally in my life
  • Receiving lots of UK visitors, to keep in touch
My "last ever" list has increased this week - last ever UK full governors' meeting on Wednesday, last ferry to Isle of Man to see my mum for a while, last ever Christmas cards sent with English stamps on, last set of monthly direct debits to a whole range of things, such as my teaching union memberships!

I've also caught up with some great friends who found me from Twitter and read the blog - so lovely to be back in touch with special people from my close and distant past.  I am loving this long goodbye - I can't fit everyone in for visits in the next 34 days, but I'm in touch with them and that's enough.

I've been checking off items from my lists - if you remember, I've got them as a page per month plastered over the walls... when I started there were 10 pages from April through to January... now of course, there are only 3... 


I'm finding these last few weeks being away from home quite tricky - I think it's because I've lived away for the vast majority of the last 4 years and I can see the end ahead of me (13 more school days to go). I miss being around my own space and obviously my cats. I still have so much to do for the Big Move, despite being so very organised.  

I had another knock-back from a QLD state school this week. I found it more disconcerting than getting no feedback at all! The post was for a deputy principal position. The Principal emailed me and said:

"You have extensive knowledge and skills in leadership which is evident from your significant leadership journey but they are all overseas.  For a position as a DP in a school, you must have current knowledge of the Queensland Education system and Queensland classrooms.  Unfortunately, I do not have the time to be teaching you about Queensland Education as well as inducting you into the school. Could I suggest that once you return to Australia that you undertake some supply work to familiarise yourself with Queensland operations."

So this made me think, is my experience is invalid because it's "overseas" - but I've lived "overseas" for all my working life so it would be "overseas"? The whole response made me feel quite helpless and hopeless, to be honest. I'm thinking now that I forget all about senior leadership and just look for a job in the classroom. It's just as well that I like teaching!!