The Relief Teacher's Podcast by Tradewind Australia

It is not unusual as a CRT you are asked to take classes outside your area of expertise. In a primary school you may be asked to teach LOTE for a day, or as an English teacher in a secondary school you might find yourself in a Maths class. What can you do to ensure these classes run smoothly and the student learning is maintained. This week the panel walk you through the dos and don’ts o...

This week’s podcast discusses the key traits schools are looking for not just in relief teachers but in teachers at all levels. What do teachers do that make them successful? Join the panel as they highlight and discuss the ten essential traits of high-performing teachers at all levels in all schools.   Professional Development Opportunity Professional learning may include: seminars...

This week the panel discusses the adjustments graduate teachers will need to make when they take on their first teaching roles in schools. The training wheels are off and in many ways you are on your own. But what does this mean day-to-day for graduate teachers? What are some of the pitfalls to avoid, and what are some of the strategies you can employ to maximise the enjoyment and s...

Relief teachers who gain short term contracts are often expected as part of their role to write student reports. In some ways this can seem like a daunting task but it need not be too overwhelming. Join the panel as they discuss what relief teachers need to know to make the report writing task manageable and how to write a high quality student report. Professional Development Opportunity Professio...

Occasionally relief teachers are confronted with challenging situations in schools that require immediate action. This week’s podcast highlights some of the incidents likely to arise in classrooms and schoolyards, and how a relief teacher might manage such situations. How can you de-escalate a potentially explosive event? Who do you need to contact if matters worsen, and how do you...

Many applicants are daunted, even overwhelmed by the prospect of a job interview, fearing they won’t be able to give a good account of themselves. This does not have to be the case. Interview techniques can be applied to give you the best opportunity of success. This week’s podcast will walk you through the interview process and offers plenty of advice on how you can prepare success...

This week’s podcast focusses on wellbeing – both students and staff, and most importantly on your own wellbeing as a CRT. With R U OK Day approaching it is the perfect time to reflect on your own wellbeing, and how you can best manage your own situation and enjoy your role. We also look at other important days in schools and how as a CRT you can support these initiatives.   Professi...

Webinar Highlight: Perfecting Your Application   One of the difficult tasks in the application process is the CV and Cover Letter. As there is no set format for either document, it can be hard to get started and tailor them to each individual school. Recruitment expert Kelly Duthie shares her thought at the start of this episode.   Areas covered in this episode: -    ...

Occasionally as a CRT you will come across a situation in a school that is not ideal. As a professional you will feel it is your responsibility to inform someone at the school, quite possibly someone in leadership, about this matter. How do you go about giving this feedback accurately and constructively? Who should you speak to and when? How do you frame the conversation so it...

Dealing with critical incidents and emergencies for any teacher can be demanding, confronting and highly stressful. For relief teachers in unfamiliar schools with students they do not know well, these situations can be extremely challenging. This week the panel look at emergency management in schools and in particular, the health matters of anaphylaxis and asthma. What are your responsib...

Not all schools are created equally.  In Victoria we have a vast range of schools many with different values, approaches and clientele. How do you find the right school for you?  In the current climate there is every possibility a relief teacher will have the opportunity of picking up a long-term block of work at a school; the worst thing you could do is to sign up to a role you fin...

In this week’s podcast the panel discuss the serious matter of Mandatory Reporting and other issues related to student welfare. It is possible a relief teacher will encounter a situation in a school that may require a mandatory report. Under Victorian legislation it is a criminal offence not to report, but how do relief teachers go about this process? What is expected of you and who shou...

In this week’s podcast the panel discuss how relief teachers can impress and maximise their chance of being a regular at a school or indeed be asked to fill a longer-term role. What are schools really looking for in a relief teacher? What qualities and expertise do schools value most? Who should you speak to at a school to get noticed in all the right ways? How do you go about demonstrating your e...

Episode Two - Returning to the classroom after a significant break  In this week’s podcast the panel are once again joined by Tradewind consultant Clare Wilson to discuss how teachers can successfully return to the profession after a significant break. We look at how returning teachers can meet VIT requirements, and how they might best ease back into the role. We discuss the major and si...

In this week’s podcast the panel are joined by Tradewind consultant Clare Wilson to discuss all things Term 3.  Why is term three typically the busiest and most demanding, particularly for relief teachers, and how can you make the most of this situation?  How do you maximise your work opportunities with Tradewind during term 3?  How to best look after your own wellbeing in a challen...

Applying for a Teaching Role: Key Selection Criteria   Areas covered in this episode: The challenges of completing KSC Where to start How to divide KSC into more manageable sections What schools want to see in KSC   This episode is a recording of a live webinar in April 2021. The webinar series was part of Tradewind Australia’s ongoing professional support for CRTs. The Sway document ref...

CRT: How to make a positive impact every day   Schools expect a relief teacher to be able to make a positive impact on their students every day. But how can you have a positive effect when you may not know which school you are going to or what lessons you are going to teach until arriving at the school? What steps can you take to ensure you can teach effectively and ensure student engagement?...

I’m a New Grad. Where do I start?   Being a newly qualified teacher brings both excitement and apprehension. Whether you have secured a role, or are embarking on your new career as a relief teacher, there are many unknowns that provide a challenge to a new teacher. Where do I start? What do I need to prioritise? How do I ensure I get off to a good start?   Areas covered in this episode:...

CRT Classroom Management: The Essentials Every day as a relief teacher presents different challenges. Knowing the essential steps to take will enable you to become capable of managing a classroom in any situation.   Areas covered in this episode: -         Why classroom management matters -         The d...

Teaching in a Primary School: An Introduction   Schools expect a relief teacher to be able to make a positive impact on their students every day.   Areas covered in this episode: -         Expectations and approach -         A different environment -        &n...

Tough Schools. How to thrive in a challenging environment. Schools expect a relief teacher to be able to make a positive impact on their students every day.   Areas covered in this episode: -         Mindset and approach -         Behaviours to expect -        &nbs...

Teaching in a Specialist School: An introduction   Schools expect a relief teacher to be able to make a positive impact on their students every day.   Areas covered in this episode: -         The differences between specialist and mainstream schools -         How specialist schools operate - &n...

Applying for a Teaching Role: The Interview   Schools expect a relief teacher to be able to make a positive impact on their students every day.   Areas covered in this episode: -         A time to celebrate -         Preparation before the interview -        &...

Applying for a Teaching Role: CV and Cover Letter   One of the difficult tasks in the application process is the CV and Cover Letter. As there is no set format for either document, it can be hard to get started and tailor them to each individual school. Recruitment expert Kelly Duthie shares her thought at the start of this episode.   Areas covered in this episode: -   &nb...

Applying for a Teaching Role: The Essentials   The application process in education can be a daunting one. To help you get started, this podcast will break down the essentials of the application process and how to get started. Areas covered in this episode: -         Current job market -         Finding...