Teachers welcomed from around the world

While most teachers are setting up new classrooms ahead of the 2024 school year, 100 international teachers are setting up new lives in Western Australia.

These teachers have travelled across the globe to teach in WA classrooms, hailing from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and Canada.

They put their hands up to teach in WA following a successful international recruitment campaign to lure high quality educators to public schools.

Majority of the teachers have been appointed to regional and remote schools where they will bring their diverse and experienced teaching knowledge to the classroom.

Swapping snow for sunshine and red dirt, the teachers are looking forward to embracing WA and shaping students’ futures in the upcoming school year.

Among them is Robert Purcell and Elise Stork from the UK who will be teaching at Hedland Senior High School.

The outdoorsy, sports-driven couple is excited to soak up the best of the north west.

“The whole adventure of it has really been sold to us. We are so excited to learn something new, get involved in new cultures and new experiences. We are thrilled to be here,” Mr Purcell said.

“The community of not just being a teacher, but being in somewhere quite regional in Western Australia and being really heavily involved in that, we don’t really get that opportunity in the UK.”

Also from the UK is Carly Gray who moved with her young family to teach in Geraldton.

“It’s a huge lifestyle change for us, beach lifestyle, lovely school by the coast. We wanted to bring up our family in a really nice community and get involved in community projects more,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know students and getting immersed in everything the students are doing and getting to know them and the way of doing things over here.”

Jamie Mears who also relocated with his family said he too was looking forward to living and working in a close-knit community.

“We’ve always wanted to teach in Australia and to be able to teach in the remote area that is full of community," he said.

“This school year what’s important for me is to be part of a really close community and to help the community in any way that I can while I’m working in the school or outside of it.

Health and physical education teacher Renee Nyman from New Zealand joined Norseman District High School.

“I am looking forward to implementing more sports activities and events at the school as well as hopefully getting the students to local sports carnivals, something that they haven’t participated in for a number of years,” she said.

“I hope to bring a pragmatic and enthusiastic attitude into the classroom and to also be a kind and stable role model in my students lives.

“I hope to offer opportunities and to share my experiences in order to make positive connections with the students.”

Ravensthorpe District High School maths teacher Michael Fox from the UK was previously in the air force for 22 years and has lived across the world including Germany, Italy, and Canada. He spent the school holidays travelling around Australia with his wife.

Mr Fox said the student population size and the climate were different compared to his previous teaching post in the UK.

“One of the advantages is I know every student so I can get to understand every student and the way they learn and the needs they have and adjust and make a difference to all of them,” he said.

“Ravensthorpe is a pretty busy little place. There is a lot going on. The climate is different. January in the Lake District (in England) it’s snowing. It’s very different here.

“It is a wonderful area. We are really, really pleased with the location. The community has been very welcoming. It has all just clicked in nicely. We should have done it years ago.”

Katelyn Bradley from Canada has started teaching at the WA College of Agriculture in Narrogin and is also enjoying the warmer climate.

“In terms of weather, where I was living in Canada the winters were very long and cold. The weather in WA is so much warmer and winter here feels like spring to me," she said.

“Living in regional WA I have experienced a great sense of community. Many people have been friendly and helpful through the transition. 

“I was drawn to the opportunity of living in a country very different to my own and the potential for career growth and the expansion of my skills as a teacher.

“Teaching in WA is an incredible opportunity for career development and personal growth. Living in another country broadens your perspectives and in return you bring a new source of knowledge and experiences to your students.

“Teaching aside, WA really is one of the most beautiful places in the world. From Exmouth to Esperance and beyond, take the opportunity to explore this beautiful state.”