Practicum placements

Professional practice placements are managed by our dedicated Prac Office, which allocates pre-service teachers to schools. You do not need to find your own placement. More information is given during Orientation Day, prior to the commencement of the academic year. The date that allocations are released is given out during semester. Pre-service teachers are required to be available and give a full-time commitment during the scheduled professional practice periods as per the GSE calendar.

Clearances

The Department of Education of Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine ‘fit and proper persons’ to teach in schools and to exclude people from school premises. The following clearances are required before a pre-service teacher is able to commence any school-based activity and professional practice:

The Department of Education Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC)

As a number of units include school-based activities, this clearance needs be obtained by all pre-service teachers shortly after enrolment in the course (regardless of whether they are enrolling in a professional practice unit). Applicants should apply online or find more information on the Department's website. The Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check is processed by the Department’s Screening Unit and is not associated with the National Police Certificate. Police Clearances and Criminal Record Checks obtained from any other agency cannot be accepted for employment or placement for legal reasons. Students not cleared must take their notification direct to the Department of Education of Western Australia, 151 Royal Street, East Perth, for review by the Screening Committee. All such information will be treated confidentially.

Working with Children Check (WWCC)

A Working with Children Check is required for pre-service teachers enrolled in a professional practice unit or a course unit which involves school-based activities that include interactions with children. Further information about applying can be found on the Department’s website.

Failure to obtain the necessary clearances will result in the professional practice component being deferred or cancelled.

Pre-service Teacher Education Course Information Booklets

• Master of Teaching Secondary 2022 Course Information Booklet [PDF, 747KB]

Pre-service Teacher Compulsory Orientation

All students are required to attend the Compulsory Teacher Education Orientation as it provides you with valuable information about your course. 

• Master of Teaching Secondary - TBC
• Bachelor of Education - TBC

Professional requirements

This document provides a detailed statement of the knowledge, skills and abilities that all pre-service teachers require for admission into an Initial Teacher Education Course and Professional Practice units in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Western Australia.

• Download the PDF

Literacy and numeracy tests

All Initial Teacher Education students are required to successfully complete the National Literacy and Numeracy Test. 

• National Literacy and Numeracy Test information [PDF, 765.8 KB]

Student attributes

Graduate School of Education students are expected, according to different course contexts, to develop and demonstrate the following attributes:

Disposition

• Commitment to the ethical principles of scholarship and its value and contribution to the wider community
• Commitment to the principles, procedures and practices of the field of education, its disciplines and relevant professions
• Commitment to social responsibility, human rights and sustainability
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity and especially to the values and culture of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• Commitment to an international outlook in relevant education disciplines

Cognition

• Expert knowledge of a relevant education discipline
• Comprehension of current issues in a relevant education discipline, including the related professional knowledge base
• Recognition of interdisciplinary perspectives in relation to a particular education discipline
• Understanding of research methodologies in the relevant education discipline and capacity to describe, interpret and synthesize conceptual information, empirical data and professional literature
• Knowledge of the processes involved in conceptualising, designing and undertaking original research.

Communication

• Capacity and willingness to interact and collaborate effectively with others including in teams, in the workplace and in culturally and/or linguistically diverse contexts
• Capacity to convey clearly and discuss analytically and critically concepts, arguments and research, both orally and in writing
• Capacity to communicate effectively with others using ICTs, multimedia, visual, musical and other forms appropriate to the disciplines
• Capacity to advocate for the profession and the public interest

Application

• Ability to apply discipline knowledge, research methodologies and professional skills to the workplace
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge and understanding to one's own professional practice
• Ability to apply discipline knowledge to real life problems in relevant professional contexts
• Ability to use critical judgement and thinking in response to research-based knowledge

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