1. Tips for first year survival

2. Relationships with students is paramount to the work you will do • You will quickly form opinions of students as they will of you… • Relationships with Parents, will they support you as a teacher or support their child blindly? • Relationships with Staff 1. Relationships, Relationships, relationships…

3. Remember you are likely to be working with teenagers – Their frontal lobe is still developing! “Don’t spare the rod until Easter” is a load of rubbish Always follow through on any threats you make, regardless of how time consuming You will need to let some things slide… Be consistent, but Fair

4. The class that needs to be offered at University but isn’t… Be aware of staffroom politics, different factions in the staffroom - take a back seat and observe before getting involved… Staffroom politics 101

5. Your first year will be tough • Preparation Reports • Meetings Parent Teacher Interviews • VIT registration • Survival… • Take time to look after yourself, they’re called Mental Health Days for a reason ;-) • Be keen, but not too keen. Hard work

6. Ensure lessons are well prepared and well resourced. Make your lessons as fun as engaging as possible. • Are you catering for different learning styles • Don’t underestimate the importance of learning that takes place outside the classroom. • Will you be seen as a textbook teacher or a teacher who makes things fun? Preparation is the Key

7. Reflect on your own practice on a regular basis • Listen to your mentor teacher and take their feedback on board • Consider keeping a journal to help keep things in perspective • When a student tells you you’re a crap teacher, writing it in a journal can help you see that the opinion of a 15 year old that child is being asked to do some work really isn’t that much of a valid opinion… Reflection

8. It’s ok to say no Hone your pedagogical practice before taking on other positions of responsibility Consider becoming a union member. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

9. Librarians IT staff Administration Staff Canteen Staff Science Lab Technicians Sick Bay Receptionist They may just save your life one day… Don’t forget