Vic Fryer

UK

Technology teacher, graphics and engineering

“It was the quickest job offer I’ve ever had,” Vic remembers after being interviewed for a teaching position at Papakura High School one evening and securing a job offer the next morning.

This was in part because as a technology teacher, Vic’s skills are in high demand in New Zealand these days.  His specialist areas are graphics, engineering and electronics, and this year he’s taught woodwork and metalwork theory, and metalwork practice. Sitting majestically in one of the technology rooms were models of yachts which Vic helped the students design, using a huge amount of metalwork.

“My students are some of the best I’ve ever taught,” Vic believes. “They’re incredibly artistic and want to go the extra mile, producing superb work.”  Vic says his students often get awards from the local technical institute, Manukau Institute of Technology.

Vic is really enjoying living and teaching in New Zealand from a number of points of view. “The students are a lot easier to teach than back in England where I taught for four years in a comprehensive school.

“It’s a noticeably better lifestyle for my family to enjoy and where we live there’s a strong community spirit with lots of ‘barbies’ with the neighbours.  For a family person, it’s a great idea to come here.”

Vic is also fortunate to have the support of at least two other teachers from the United Kingdom in the technology department which is an important factor in the settling in process.

For Vic, it wasn’t all plain sailing to begin with.  His advice to other teachers intending to come to New Zealand is to deal with the paperwork before leaving.  “It’s particularly important to sort this out so you start on the correct salary.  Also have some funds stored away to tide you through initially.”  His other main advice is to do lots of research particularly on school decile ratings, house prices and the national examination system, NCEA.