Professional Experience FAQ's
- Q: Can I do my Professional Experience Placement at a different time than scheduled on the calendar?
- A: Placement dates are fixed with schools a year in advance and it is students' responsibility to put these dates in diaries to reserve this time for placement. NO VARIATION to placement dates will be discussed or approved except in cases of students who are ‘out of step’ or have serious illness or similar.
- Q: How do you choose where a pre-service teacher will be placed?
- A: A pre-service teacher is placed within a reasonable travelling distance from his or her place of residence (up to 60 minutes travelling time). We pay attention to your preferences if required, however availability of schools and pre-service teachers' circumstances are also influencing factors. Please understand that there are a complex range of factors which affect where your placement is finally secured, and that we cannot guarantee placement in your immediate neighbourhood.
- Q: Why should I do a rural placement during my course?
- A: You are strongly encouraged to undertake at least one rural placement during your course (preferably in 3rd Year). It improves your employment opportunities after your course finishes, testifying to the fact that you are flexible and capable of performing well in a variety of settings. If you have the possibility to live with relatives or organise accommodation with colleagues in an area outside the Brisbane metropolitan area and are willing to do a placement in a school there, please contact your PEP Administration Officer.
- Q: Can I do a placement interstate?
- A: If you would like to undertake your placement in a particular community interstate, we can attempt to secure a placement for you. Please advise us of the details of the school you have mind.
- Q: Can I go to the same school twice?
- A: No, it is important for you to gain experience in a variety of settings when doing your placements to prepare you for the reality of working as a teacher.
- Q: When and how do we find out which school we will be going to?
- A: The PEP Administrator aims to inform pre-service teachers where they are placed at least two weeks prior to commencing placement. This goal is not always achievable however, due to the availability of places and jigsaw-like nature of placing large numbers of pre-service teachers. Pre-service teachers will be notified of their placement by email prior to commencement.
- Q: Do I need a Blue Card? How do I get one?
- A: All students require a valid Blue Card in order to be placed within a school environment. Forms can be collected and submitted through the School of Education office.
- Q: What if I already have a Blue Card through an external organisation?
- A: Students who have a valid blue card through an external organisation need to complete an ‘Authority to Confirm’ form which is available from the School of Education Office. This is so that if your card is cancelled or withdrawn at any time during your PEP, then we are notified.
- Q: What do I need to do before going out on my placement?
- A: Fill out a Field Experience Emergency Contact Form.
- Contact the (TLC) Student Teacher Coordinator or your Associate Teacher at your assigned school (visit/s may also be a requirement of your course). Read & copy the relevant unit and report forms from the PEP Handbook (1 copy for your supervising teacher and 1 copy for you).
- Q: How should I dress when I go to a school?
- A: Dress smart and professionally; for men this means neat casual, although some schools may ask for a shirt and tie and for women this means appropriate professional dress, which may include pants and a shirt. Jeans are not acceptable attire. Please remember you are representing the university when you are out in schools and professional dress and behaviour is expected.
- Think of each placement as an interview.
- Q: What does the office need when the placement has finished?
- A: We need a copy of your report form filled in by your associate teacher(s)/TLC Coordinator. It is highly advisable to obtain this report form from your associate teacher in person, make a copy for yourself and deliver the original to our office personally. You cannot pass a unit until the report form(s) has been received, so relying on the school to fax or post it can lead to delays or disappearance of the form.
- We also need your attendance register.
- Q: I am having difficulty on a placement, what can I do?
- A: Please contact the relevant PEP co-ordinator if you are experiencing difficulties on a placement.
- Q: My school has a parent/teacher interview or staff day and there will be no teaching, what should I do?
- A: Your Professional Experience encompasses not only teaching, but all aspects of school life which go on behind the scenes. When your start your career as a teacher you too will have to conduct parent/teacher interviews, so it is an excellent opportunity to observe how it's done before you have to by yourself. You should express interest to the Associate Teacher in observing the meetings, pending the agreement of the parents and principal involved. Alternatively, schools always have resources to organise or things to do in the library, so take the initiative and proactively offer your assistance in areas where it could be needed.
- Q: What do I do if I am sick whilst on a placement?
- A: Contact your Student Teacher Coordinator/Associate Teacher at the school AND the relevant campus PEP Administration Officer to inform them. You will need to supply a medical certificate and make up this day at a later time.
- Q: Are there scholarships available for PEP?
- A: Yes, ACU offers the QIEC Scholarship for 3rd & 4th Year students in Semester 2 of each year. Department of Education & Training (DET) also offer a 'Beyond the Range' scholarship for State School Rural/Remote placements each semester to 3rd & 4th Year students.
- Q: Can I contact a school to arrange my own placement?
- A: No you cannot contact your own school to arrange your own placement. Schools do not appreciate independent contact from pre-service teachers. All placement requests must only come from Professional Experience Office staff members.
