Helpful Hints for Relievers

You will be either returning to a school that you have worked at before or be at one you are unfamilar with.  Here are some ideas that may assist in both situations:

Before Going to School - Confirming the Appointment

• Take a copy of your Practising Certificate for your employer to photocopy.
• Check where your vehicle should be parked, if appropriate.

Arriving at School

• When you arrive at school go to the administration area to seek and receive information and directions about your day.
• Know who you are responsible to during your time in the school. It will often be the Principal, but can also be someone who has been delegated to act as your manager, for exmaple, the Deputy Principal/Assistant Principal or a Senior Teacher. Take instruction from this person. Any safe, lawful and reasonable instruction should be followed.
• Find out the school's particular practice for the day to day work of the staff, take note of the expected start time, the times you are required to work at school and whether there are duty requirements eg playground duty, attend meetings, school crossing duty before or after school.

On your first day of employment

Find out what the school policy is on key areas that may impact on your employment within the school, making sure that you at least know the policies about:

• Directing and disciplining children
• Use of school property, including computers, phones, faxes, photocopiers, supplies and other resources
• Security arrangements eg locking classrooms and buildings, care of own and the children's personal property
• Health and Safety policies and procedures, key people (H&S rep and H&S Committee)
• Emergency and evacuation procedures
• Medical needs of specific children in the class
• Non-molestation orders or custody compliances. You need to know the policy and which parents have special issues.

Talk to your NZEI worksite rep about these or any other issues.