FAQ

HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAMME?

​The programme will commence at the middle of January and finish at the end of the school year in early December. There will also be a small intake of midyear trainees from the beginning of July to the end of June, the following year.

ARE THERE FEES?

​No – your fees will be covered by the individual schools who are offering scholarships, and teacher trainees will each receive a $12,500 payment as compensation for their time.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Each school manages the application process in conjunction with the University of Waikato. Students will need to meet some entry requirements, including those for the University of Waikato and for the literacy and numeracy assessments. Each school’s contact person is available here.

WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA?

​Once you have applied you will be required to attend an interview and may be asked to teach a short 10-15 minute lesson. You will already have an undergraduate degree (recent or previous). However, for certain subject areas, like Te Reo Māori, Pasifika Studies and Technology, relevant experience may be sufficient. Your school will provide further details.

WHAT PRE-QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED?

You will need an undergraduate degree that is related to the field in which you would like to teach. However, for certain subject areas, like Te Reo ​Māori, Pasifika studies and Technology, relevant experience may be sufficient. Your school will provide further details.

CAN I APPLY FOR ANY HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT?

​The subject area that you apply needs to both be taught in the school you are applying to and be related to the undergraduate degree that you already have. Please note that you may also be required to teach in other subject areas alongside your preferred choice.

WHEN DOES THE COURSE START?

Schools select their candidates throughout the year for the July and January intakes. 

WILL I NEED TO WORK IN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WHILE STUDYING?

It is anticipated that you will not be required to come in during school holidays which will give you the chance to stay up to date with your coursework for University of Waikato. It will also provide you with some time to rest and recharge your batteries for the next term.

WILL I NEED TO TRAVEL TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO AT ALL?

As you are a midyear student, you will come to the University of Waikato for 3 days during July. The bigger group of January students receive their orientation in Auckland. The remainder of the work will be on-site at the host schools.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO DO WITH THE COHORT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS?

There will be 13 occasions where you will undertake specific professional development at each of the host schools.  

WILL I GET TO TEACH AS PART OF THE COURSE?

Yes – definitely. The more time you spend in front of a class the better you will become. You will have the chance to view teachers in your school in varying subject areas; not just those who are teaching within your department.

WILL I GET ANOTHER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE DURING THE YEAR?

During your year, you will undertake a 5 week or 25-day placement with one of the other schools as part of the programme. The aim is for students to be placed in a school with a culture unlike that of their main employer.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET OFFERED A ROLE AT THE SCHOOL OR IF THERE IS NO VACANCY?

Ideally, following the year’s programme, you will be offered a position with a two-year commitment required. If there is not a position available at your host school, the Auckland Schools Teaching Coalition will notify the other schools of that student’s availability.  In the case where no position is available, you will be qualified to teach in any New Zealand secondary school and will have had an outstanding level of mentoring and hands-on experience to prepare you for this chapter.