Stories from the Torres Strait

Expectations of teachers in the Torres Strait

Just like anywhere else in Queensland, teachers in the Torres Strait are expected to have high standards for their professional practice. Deputy Principal – Special Education Program, Zoe explains.

'We expect that our children get the best opportunities to learn. The expectation we have for teachers at Tagai State College is that you support the children to access the Australian Curriculum. But that's just the beginning. We also expect our teachers to behave in culturally appropriate ways at all times. It's important that teachers know that in our small communities what you do on the weekends and outside of school reflects on your professional practice'.

Moving with a family to Thursday Island

For many, moving with children to a remote community can seem like a daunting exercise with much to consider. For new teacher Cameron, and his wife and fellow teacher Tayla, this was no different. With 2-year-old baby Halle to consider, the 2 most important factors for them were medical facilities and day care. After doing their research, they settled on Thursday Island as being a good fit for their family. However, Cameron admits, it wasn’t easy at first.

'The move was tricky with a baby. We had a house full of boxes to unpack, all while trying to get our daughter into new sleep routines and find our own feet,' he said.

Despite this, 4 months later, Cameron says Halle is in full-time day care and happy there, with all staff doing a great job.

'It was so exciting to be able to bring my young family along so we could share these experiences with my daughter as she grows up here, with a different culture, different faces, different languages, different communities. The kids have got it so good here having the water close by to fish in. We're really grateful to be here'.

Teaching couple, Rob and Danielle also moved to Thursday Island with their 4 children, ranging in age from 2 to 7. In the video below, they share some of the things they took into consideration before taking the leap of faith and what life has been like for them and their children since they arrived.

Begin your teaching career in the Torres Strait

Add to your teaching toolbox

As a teacher in the Torres Strait, you will be supported through on and off the job training and support. Watch the video below and hear from 3 teachers about how you can use these opportunities to grow and develop your skills.

• Kate is the Head of Department (HOD) at the Horn Island campus. In her time in the Torres Strait, she has been fortunate to work as a district relief teacher, flying around the islands to fill in where needed (so far, she’s managed to work on 12 of the 16 islands where there are school campuses!). After teaching in her own classroom for a year, she had the opportunity to work as a curriculum leader which set her up for success when she applied for her current role.
• Emma, Principal at the Yorke Island (Masig) primary school campus came to the Torres Strait as a teacher and has moved into leadership since she arrived.
• Zoe, Deputy Principal – ​Special Education started at the Thursday Island campus as an inclusion teacher and after a year in the role, was offer the opportunity as Head of Special Education Services. This set her up for success in her current role.
  

If you like the idea of living and teaching in remote Far North Queensland, Tagai State College could be the perfect place for your first or next teaching role. More information is available about the incentives and benefits available to teachers in rural and remote communities.