Three weeks in Perth to decide if we should move...what should we aim to do?

[SarahL]

Hello,

 

We have booked our flights to Perth for August next year We have already decided on a roadtrip north for a week leaving us with two weeks to fill. What should we do to try and get a feel for whether we really want to move??

 

We are both teachers so I'm thinking we should visit a few schools but what else?

 

We have a son who will be 21 months at the time so suggestions for great places for toddlers too please. Thanks in advance for your advice :-)

[ali]

I think it's really difficult on holiday to get what it will feel like to live here. Have you already got your visa's and/or when would you think of making the move? I'm asking because if the move isn't going to be for a few years, it's difficult to look at e.g. the job market which (hopefully) will change, schools may get new principles as well as child care facilities changing hands.

 

I guess for me it will be looking around the suburbs that you think you may want to live (again this will depend on where you get jobs - no good living in Joondalup if you get a job in Baldivis (unless you like a long commute). Check out child care facilities if the move might be imminent. Looking at schools is ok - but like the UK each school would be different so not sure how much of an idea you'd get. My daughter is a pre-service teacher and her internship has was at a very good independent school and her Prac at an Anglican grammer - other students weren't so lucky and had quite difficult pracs and experiences at some public schools.

 

I would say, just try to get a feel for the things that you think you'll be doing when you live here

 

Adventure world has a great part for toddlers but I don't think it re-opens until September (might be wrong), but it does close for a few months in winter.

[SarahL]

Thank you for your response. We haven't applied for visas yet as we wouldn't be looking to move until our baby is closer to starting school.

 

I studied at Curtin University for a year during my degree but I would like to get an idea of the education system for primary and secondary school. We are both hoping that we would enjoy teaching in Australia but we don't really have a good idea of what it might be like compared to here in the UK?! This is our thinking behind visiting schools, rather than with a view to getting a job. I am a science teacher and my husband teaches maths.

 

I checked out adventure world but sadly it is closed in August. We will just have to visit as many playgrounds as we can to give us an idea about the different areas.

[Sashamb]

I would suggest you move your trip to September or October, otherwise the whether will be the same/similar as in the UK.

 

Lots of good ideas here http://www.buggybuddys.com.au/kids_in_perth.html

 

Also Adventure World will be closed, but there is a new park across the road, which is one of the better parks i have seen. While you are at it, go for a walk around Bibra Lake.

 

Personally i like the South West on WA. We have been to this place few times https://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/wa/great-southern/porongurup-ranges/81968

 

Also Albany is nice place and its near by.

 

In terms of schools, it depends on what type of education you are looking for. Public, private, hippy etc. If you want schools like http://www.perthmontessori.wa.edu.au/ then you should sign up your kid now, as the wait is like 3 years or something.

[SarahL]

I would suggest you move your trip to September or October, otherwise the whether will be the same/similar as in the UK.

 

Lots of good ideas here http://www.buggybuddys.com.au/kids_in_perth.html

 

Also Adventure World will be closed, but there is a new park across the road, which is one of the better parks i have seen. While you are at it, go for a walk around Bibra Lake.

 

Personally i like the South West on WA. We have been to this place few times https://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/wa/great-southern/porongurup-ranges/81968

 

Also Albany is nice place and its near by.

 

In terms of schools, it depends on what type of education you are looking for. Public, private, hippy etc. If you want schools like http://www.perthmontessori.wa.edu.au/ then you should sign up your kid now, as the wait is like 3 years or something.

 

Thanks for the links and suggestions Unfortunately we are restricted by the school terms in the UK as to when we can visit. At least it will be warmer when we drive up north a bit!

[SarahL]

I would suggest you move your trip to September or October, otherwise the whether will be the same/similar as in the UK.

 

Lots of good ideas here http://www.buggybuddys.com.au/kids_in_perth.html

 

Also Adventure World will be closed, but there is a new park across the road, which is one of the better parks i have seen. While you are at it, go for a walk around Bibra Lake.

 

Personally i like the South West on WA. We have been to this place few times https://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/wa/great-southern/porongurup-ranges/81968

 

Also Albany is nice place and its near by.

 

In terms of schools, it depends on what type of education you are looking for. Public, private, hippy etc. If you want schools like http://www.perthmontessori.wa.edu.au/ then you should sign up your kid now, as the wait is like 3 years or something.

 

Thanks for the links and suggestions Unfortunately we are restricted by the school terms in the UK as to when we can visit. At least it will be warmer when we drive up north a bit!

[ktg]

We've just made the move to Perth (north of city- Tapping) and I am a primary teacher. It's really hard getting your foot in the door- I've applied for loads of jobs but all have been without success and the ones who've given feedback all talk about lack of experience delivering the Australian curriculum. Which is very annoying as most good teachers are very adaptable at taking on new curriculums especially if they've taught in uk!

We've been here just over a week and feel our money os flying out and nothing coming in!!

Hoping to get a car next week so we can get out and about more.

Good luck with your trip.

[SarahL]

We've just made the move to Perth (north of city- Tapping) and I am a primary teacher. It's really hard getting your foot in the door- I've applied for loads of jobs but all have been without success and the ones who've given feedback all talk about lack of experience delivering the Australian curriculum. Which is very annoying as most good teachers are very adaptable at taking on new curriculums especially if they've taught in uk!

We've been here just over a week and feel our money os flying out and nothing coming in!!

Hoping to get a car next week so we can get out and about more.

Good luck with your trip.

 

Thank you ktg. I have a friend that is a primary teacher in Perth and she told me it is difficult to get jobs at the moment I hope you are able to find something soon. Is there much demand for supply teaching?

[LB1978]

Hi we made a trip to Perth last March 2016 for a 3 week reccie with our then 18 month old and it was fantastic. We'd both been before as a couple (we have friends there) but we were keen to see how child friendly it was and it didn't disappoint! Our friends live NOR and that's where we'd also live (both likely to work in city centre in our professions) so we spent some time looking at suburbs. We were staying in Subiaco though.

The weather was great when we were there so lots of beach time, parks etc for our boy and we were out and about way more than we'd be here. We're in the visa process now but it's slow. Hoping to move early to mid 2018. Have a great trip!

 

 

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