TEACH CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND REFUGEE CENTRES IN PERTH

LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

Try to see some of the country while you're there. It's big (huge!) and each different region is exciting and very, very beautiful. Our great location is in Perth, a city rich in culture and filled with theatres, art galleries and museums. The city is modern and vibrant - a fun, friendly and 'laid back' place, with clear skies and a sunny climate. Western Australia is locally known as the 'state of excitement!'

Some of its more famous attractions include Kings Park, Scarborough Beach, Fremantle and the Swan River. Fremantle (or as the local’s call it, ‘Freo’) is the city’s port and is rich in history. At weekends you will find markets, entertainment and plenty of alfresco style cafes to laze in. Perth has restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is of course the great Australian BBQ. Barbeque facilities are abundant in local parks - take your own food and cook up a feast, Australian style!

THE BEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(Courtesy of Western Australia Tourism - www.westernaustralia.com)

• Fremantle - Spend a few days in Fremantle is an absolute must. Just a 30 minute drive from Perth's city centre. Freo, as it's known by locals is a vibrant port city you can't miss.
• Rottnest Island - Just offshore from Perth, Rottnest Island is where the locals go to swim at white-sand beaches, snorkel in turquoise water over shipwrecks, or kick back and go fishing. Rotto, as it's called locally, is a car-free zone, which adds to its relaxed feel.
• Margaret River - No trip to Western Australia is complete without a pit stop at Margaret River. Originally a chilled out surfie town, Margaret River has evolved into the ultimate smorgasbord of good food, fine wine and spectacular scenery - just a three-and-a-half hour drive south of Perth.
• Albany - Prepare to be blown away by Albany's dramatic convict history, set against a backdrop of rugged granite coastline, green seas and a wild beauty that tugs at the heartstrings. Step back in time and explore convict jails, old taverns, whaling ships and settlers' cottages and grand National Trust homes in beautifully landscaped grounds.
• Denmark - where towering tall trees meet the ocean. A relaxed village atmosphere, romantic timber milling history and incredible coastal scenery.
• Ningaloo Reef - Take a dive with hundreds of tropical fish, amazing coral formations and the world's biggest fish, the whale shark.
• Monkey Mia - Monkey Mia is one of Western Australia's most famous dolphin watching destinations.
• Shark Bay - The Shark Bay World Heritage Area was Western Australia's first World Heritage Listed site. Shark Bay's wilderness and natural wonders make for a unique holiday.
• The Pinnacles - The extraordinary ancient rock formations are located about a three-hour drive north of Perth near the coastal town of Cervantes.
• Kalgoorlie - Western Australia's largest goldfields town famed for its fascinating gold rush history, fabulous old buildings and old gold miners' ghost towns.
• Esperance - For squeaky-white beaches, getting off the beaten track and bunking down under the stars. This place is so relaxed even the kangaroos sun bake on the beach!
• Bunbury - just two hours drive south of Perth, it is located on a spectacular peninsular surrounded by blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet.

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

KEIRA ROWSOME
Volunteering in Perth

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping me arrange my project in Perth. I had such an amazing time and left with an unforgettable experience.

I'll definitely advise 'Travellers' to anybody hoping for a similar opportunity and experience! I'm already planning my return to Australia after I finish University! Thank you again!

CHARLOTTE DINGLE
British
Teaching Children in Schools and Refugee Centres in Perth

I feel I am gaining a huge sense of achievement from working with the children at the school to boost their confidence and understanding of English. I am also enjoying learning about different cultures and new perspectives, from both the staff at the school and the children. I am gaining valuable experience in working with the children both one-on-one and talking to the whole class, which is giving me different techniques and approaches to Teaching. I feel I am learning to use my initiative and adapt so that I am able to cope with any situation in the future.
The best part of my placement so far has been the opportunity to assist in Art, my chosen area of interest as I have had such varied experiences in this department. I have enjoyed the challenges of teaching the class, preparing materials for new projects and working closely with students to ensure they feel a sense of achievement in what they have achieved and enjoyment in the subject.

I would definitely recommend a placement at the School, I think it would suit anybody who is open minded to different cultures and new ideas and enjoys working with children. Anybody happy to get stuck in and willing to learn will love this placement! I always feel very welcomed at the School, by teachers and children alike.
The school is very flexible in your role and there is the opportunity to do more work in your chosen subjects if you wish. All the staff are easy to talk to and have given me the opportunity to teach the class and to be a part of their team.

Can you describe a typical day?
Start the first session at 9.30 which ends at 10.45. I am normally in Art, which involves preparing materials and organising the class with the right equipment, helping individuals with their work, taking small groups, teaching the demo to the class.
I am sometimes in a classroom where my role involves reading to the class, helping individuals and often taking small groups out to complete work or practice writing/reading.
The next session is 11.05-12.35 and the last is 1.20-2.45. I stay until 3pm to pack up and organise art equipment (Mix paints, prepare boards, etc) for the next day.

EDWARD MOORE
British
Teaching Children in Schools and Refugee Centres in Perth

Working in this school I'm picking up different techniques of how to teach non English speaking children, as well as composing and doing reading tests. It's an excellent school, everyone is very welcoming and the children are very polite and nice.

The best thing about the placement so far is teaching children from different countries and experiencing different lessons and the teaching of them, as well as working with small groups of children. I think this placement would suit anyone that wants to go in to teaching or thinking about teaching or anyone else who wants to see what working in a school is like or wants a different experience

Can you describe a typical day?
Start at 9.30, lessons run until 10.45 supporting the teacher in the classroom, helping children to read and write and do their work. Sometimes taking smaller groups out and doing their work or smaller activities.
In PE getting equipment ready, setting it up, showing smaller groups how to hold the cricket bat and doing a short activity.
Recess (Break time) from 10.45am to 11.05am.
Lessons start again at 11.05am to 12.45pm helping the teacher in the classroom, helping children to read and write and do their work, Do reading tests with children see what words they remember.
Lunch from 12.45pm till 1.20pm.
Lessons from 1.20 till 3pm help children in the classroom read and write do their work. Finish at 3pm.

TASMIA ALAM
British
Teaching Children in Schools and Refugee Centres in Perth

Although it sounds clichéd, I feel that I am gaining life experience and that I have the ability to associate and mix with children of different backgrounds and nationalities to myself. I have enjoyed having the responsibility to lead various groups of children in doing different activities.

I would recommend this placement to those who are contemplating going into teaching for some experience and even to those who are not (like myself) for some life experience. I think this placement would suit people who are obviously good with children. They should have a kind caring nature and a lot of patience.

Can you describe a typical day?
A typical day for myself would entail going into my morning class, which is A4, at about 9.45. They have set work each day which I help them with. During recess I would usually go into the library and perhaps check emails.
After recess I would then go into my second class for the day which was D1. The work which they undertook each day was varied so again I would help them with whatever work was set and I would also sometimes lead small groups of the students. Again at lunch time I would tend to use the internet facilities in the library.
After lunch I would be with one of the youngest classes, A5. This was an extremely enjoyable class to be in but could be rather tiring! The work would be varied everyday and often I would be given the responsibility of reading to the entire class.

HANNAH SCHOFIELD
British
Teaching Children in Schools and Refugee Centres in Perth

1) What experience do you feel you are gaining?
I feel that I am learning how better to interact with children, being more patient, and adapting my explanations until they understand what I'm trying to say. It's also a learning process for me to be able to simplify instructions adequately to promote comprehension, and speak in clear English. It's also very useful to watch different teachers with different classes and see how they handle any issues that arise.
2) What is the best thing about your placement so far?
All of the staff have been very friendly, welcoming me into their classes and allowing me to be very hands on with the children. The children themselves have all shown a willingness to learn, and seem to have taken to me, which is lovely and very rewarding.
3) Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?
I would certainly recommend this placement. I'm really enjoying it, and it will be an important addition to my CV.
4) What type of person do you think this placement would suit?
Anyone who is patient, open-minded and compassionate. And liking being around children is a must! Some of the children need a lot of support with their learning so flexibility and determinations are also very important. I also think that this placement would suit someone looking into going on to do languages or teaching.
5) Can you describe a typical day? 6:00 - wake up and get ready for the day: have breakfast, get my packed lunch sorted, put sun cream on... It's very quiet in the lodge at this time in the morning.
7:15 - leave the lodge and walk to Wellington bus station to catch the bus to school at 7:45
8:15 - arrive at school.
Class officially begins at around 9:00, and I'm at school until around 14:45 with twenty minutes of "recess" at 10:45 and half an hour for lunch at 13:05. Depending on which class I'm in today, I will spend the time helping with reading, spelling or maths, or preparing for a later activity for them, or working with any pupils who need extra support with English speaking.
15:15 - arrive back in Perth city. I'm usually quite tired after the day, and it's too hot to be out for long, so I spend the afternoons reading, exploring the city, emailing loved ones...
18:00 - meet with some other Travellers volunteers for dinner to talk about our day, and make plans for the weekend.
19:30 - go for a walk with the other girls down by the river or up into town. It's much nicer to be out at this time in the evening, as it's still warm enough for shorts, but much cooler than the daytime.
20:30 - a much needed shower, and I'm usually in bed by around 21:30 in anticipation of the next early start.