What happens if…Part Three

Working in a Primary school as a Secondary Teacher Part 3 The How… In the third and final episode, we turn our attention to the core skill that makes the biggest difference in a primary classroom: teaching students how to do something, not just telling them what to do. Secondary expertise doesn't always transfer directly to primary settings, and this episode unpacks why. Where secondary students are often expected to apply skills they've already learned, primary students usually need you to teach the skill first, through explicit instruction, modelling, guided practice and feedback. In this episode, our panel breaks down what this looks like in practice across key learning areas, and offers a simple framework CRTs and casual teachers can apply from the moment they walk into a primary classroom. In this episode, we discuss: How to shift from setting open-ended tasks to explicitly teaching the process, using English, Maths, Humanities and PE as worked examples. Why "I do, we do, you do" is the scaffolding sequence primary teachers rely on, and how casual teachers can use it to keep lessons running smoothly. How to respond when students are struggling with a task, and why it's usually a sign to reteach rather than simply repeat instructions. This episode is packed with realistic advice and a practical framework designed to help you teach the skill, not just set the task, so you can walk into any primary classroom feeling completely prepared.

Working in a Primary school as a Secondary Teacher Part 2 What you need to know – In the second episode of our special three-part series, we delve into the practical realities of primary school-aged students and what this means for you as a teacher. The leap from teaching independent teenagers to guiding energetic young learners involves much more than just a change in lesson content; it requires a complete shift in mindset. In this episode, our panel breaks down the significant differences between the developmental stages and emotional needs of primary and secondary students, and explores exactly how these differences impact your daily lesson preparation, communication style, and classroom management strategies. In this episode, we discuss: How to adjust your expectations when moving from self-directed teens to primary students who need explicit direction for simple tasks. Strategies for managing shorter attention spans, handling transition times, and keeping younger minds focused throughout a full day. Understanding the social-emotional needs of primary children and how to respond effectively when they look to you for reassurance. This episode is packed with realistic advice and experience-based strategies designed to help you adapt your secondary toolkit, understand your new audience, and walk into any primary classroom feeling completely prepared.

Primary Schools – the view from the Principals’ Office Secondary to Primary: Making the Switch in Term 4 (Part 1) In the first episode of our special three-part series, we focus on primary school environments and explore how secondary-trained CRTs can successfully branch out into primary classrooms—especially during Term 4 when secondary work naturally winds down. Stepping into a primary school for the first time can feel like entering a whole new world, with different structures, expectations, and daily rhythms. To help you navigate this transition with confidence, we go straight to the top. In this opening episode, we sit down with both the Principal and Assistant Principal of a large metropolitan primary school to get the leadership perspective on what makes a relief teacher stand out, succeed, and get invited back. In this episode, we explore the crucial routines, communication styles, and preparation habits that primary administrators value most. Whether you are looking to fill your calendar later in the year or simply want to expand your teaching toolkit, this episode offers the high-level insights and reassurance you need to make the switch seamlessly.

Navigating Tricky Conversations: Handling Difficult Colleagues and Parents In the fifth episode of our practical Q&A series for CRTs, we shift our focus from student behaviour to the other crucial relationships relief teachers must navigate: interactions with school staff and parents. Schools are complex ecosystems where high pressure and miscommunication can easily lead to friction. As a CRT, you are often entering these dynamics with little background context, making it challenging to advocate for yourself or defuse tension on the spot. In this episode, our panel shares realistic advice and experience-based strategies for maintaining professionalism, setting boundaries, and managing difficult adult interactions. What do you do if – A regular staff member treats you with disrespect or dismisses your professional capability? An anxious or confrontational parent challenges a decision you made during the day? This series is designed to support CRTs with realistic advice, reassurance, and practical strategies that will help you handle challenging interactions with confidence and professionalism.

In this episode, Helen, Sue and Terry meet with Tamara Howlett, Northeastern Melbourne Coordinator from the Navigator Program about supporting young people who have disengaged from education and helping them reconnect with learning, training, employment and future opportunities.