Richard Watkinson
English
Head of Department, English
“New Zealand seems to have a high level of participation in all kinds of sports. All the parks and fields seem to be full of people playing touch, netball, rugby or jogging and walking. At the beach people surf, windsurf, kayak and dive. Playing sport and taking part in events has been a great way to generate a social network outside of work.”
When Richard was looking for a country to live and teach in, New Zealand was one of the options he considered. “I’m mad for rugby, love the outdoors and had had great recommendations from my sister and her family who spent a year here in 1996 – so New Zealand was high on my list.”
Richard’s experience of living and working overseas started when he completed his Masters in American Studies in the USA. “My degree is in English and American Studies so I lived in Texas for a year while doing my Masters.”
He then returned to home town Nottingham to complete his teacher training and start his teaching career.
“After six years I ended up with responsibility for media studies and as 2IC in English! The school was great and had made huge improvements under a dynamic principal.”
Ready for a new challenge, Richard decided to move from the UK and experience something different. “I was considering Australia, the USA and New Zealand. The TeachNZ website was really helpful and the process seemed more straight forward here, so I chose Kiwi land.”
Richard found a position at Mt Roskill Grammar in Auckland, a really large secondary school with 2100 students – 4000 people altogether on the campus including secondary, intermediate and primary students plus teachers and ancillary staff.
“In a school this size there is an immediate community of ex-pats. We are able to support new teachers and help them settle in. There’s also a lot of friendly kiwi/pom rivalry, which is fun.”
Teaching English in the UK is very similar to teaching here Richard has found. “It’s a broadly transferable subject. Of course, there’s New Zealand writers to become familiar with in a hurry, as well as awareness of treaty obligations!”
The process of moving here from the UK has a few pitfalls Richard says. “It really pays to have your qualifications assessed and complete your registration before setting off. There’s so much that would be difficult to complete – like police checks and course transcripts – from a distance.” Even when he arrived in Auckland and applied for work permits and residency he says it was ghastly. “We had to queue up at the crack of dawn in the city.” Richard says that it’s now possible to apply for a work permit from the New Zealand High Commission in the UK. “I recommend it. That would save a lot of hassle.”
The principal of the school Richard teaches at now offers teachers jobs by phone from New Zealand and follows up with written confirmation so they can speed up the process of getting here. “It helps to have a signed letter with a firm job offer!”
Richard says family are the major pull back to the UK. “I have five nephews and nieces and my parents, and my partner’s parents, are there. Fortunately, they have been able to travel here and spend time with us. We really enjoy showing people round, it’s a beautiful place.”
Sport plays a huge part in New Zealand school life and that is a big attraction for Richard. “Sports have been squeezed big-time in UK schools.” Richard has played social rugby, and is a keen multi sports fan. “There are loads of great events here where everyone can roll up and participate. And New Zealand has so many top multi-sports athletes – its great for cycling, mountain biking, running – all sports!”
Richard coaches his school’s under-15 age group rugby team. “It’s great to encourage young people to participate and enjoy their sport.”