teacher, need help deciding when to return to work

[sakoon]

I'm due 7 march so I start maternity leave term 1 2009. Initially I thought I would return term 4 2009. But after talking to my principal she is advising I return term 1 2010 because it's hard to get a replacement teacher for just 3 terms and there won't be much load if I come back term 4. From my point of view that might be good to come back when the term is relaxed plus I teach 2 yr 12 classes and they start term 4. Also there are financial reasons

But on the other hand this is my first child and he will only be 6 months old if I go back term 4.

I'm not sure what to do. Also after term 4, how does the 6 week holiday pay work? A friend said I willonly get part of it coz I did not work the whole year. I'm in NSW

Pls advise

[mrsmac]

You are entitled to come back whenever you want not the school but it is usally better to try and think of the kids. Are you taking the mat leave as half or full pay? You will get paid for part of the Christmas holidays depending on how much of the year you were earning for, so even paid leave counts towards Christmas holiday pay.

[sakoon]

i am going to take it as full pay as i see no benefits taking as half pay as i will receive pay in the one financial year therefore no tax benefits

[Ellie]

Sakoon
I'm due on the 9th March and in a similar situation...have told the boss I will be appying for the year however I may need to return earlier for financial reasons...just check how much notice you have to give re returning early...if you're permanent and you own the position your replacement will be 'fixed term' and their contract states that they can be given a few weeks notice of changes to their position...that's how it works in WA. Do what's best for you and your situation

[~Saram~]

I'm in QLD but took a years maternity leave with 12wks paid and got paid on the Christmas holidays, I at least got my holiday loading can't remember if I got paid the whole time but it ended up being about $4000?? I remember because I rang as I thought there was a problem.

As for going back - I went back to work when my son was 18mths old and again when my daughter was 9mth and DS 5yo. When I just had my son it wasn't too bad but I often found I didn't have the same amount of time to dedicate to planning, reports etc other did and found that quite stressful. This time round with two I went back part-time but found this was harder as when I wasn't at school I was consumed with 'home' things and just didn't have enough time to do school stuff. I have resigned my permanent position and I am going back to relief teaching next year as there is no planning, reports and I can pick up my son after school without having to pay a fortune in daycare and afterschool care.

[mrsmac]

i am going to take it as full pay as i see no benefits taking as half pay as i will receive pay in the one financial year therefore no tax benefits

If you take it half pay you get full pay in the holidays so it works out much better financially. Plus you will have been paid more of the year sow ill get more in the Christmas holidays.

[sakoon]

thanks for your replies. I have talked to few people and think its best if i go back term 4 2009. I dont think i can afford to take a year off, so i will tell my principal that for financial reasons i will come back term 4 2009. The load should not be too much and i live 5 minutes from the school and can get my sister to baby sit. It will only be like 2 months that i have to work then 6 weeks holiday. I teach at a private school and we always finish early.

i still dont get the full pay vs half pay thing. doesn't it work out the same?

[mrsmac]

In the public system if you go on half pay every time you get to a school holidays in that 28 weeks you are getting paid for it changes to full pay for the hols. So when I went off with DS on day 1 of term 2 I got half pay all that term, then full pay in the July hols then half pay again until the Sept. hols then full then back to half until my 28 weeks ran out.

[AliBaby]

Mrs Mac is right. Also correct me if I am wrong but dont you end up getting a litttle bit more than half pay as you arent being taxed as much???

I am a little worried I have not filled in my mat leave forms properly. I only put down 6 months leave at half pay. I also didnt tick the box that says approval to work casually whilst on leave.

Do you think I can change it so that whilst I am on mat leave I can work extra casual days if I need extra money??

My leave starts week 4, term 1, 2009 and ends beginning of week 6, Term 3, 2009 My intentions are to go back to work 2 days a week then butI have no intentions of working the first 3 weeks of the school term.

I am going to work the first week and then take sick leave for 2 weeks as I dont think I am going to be able to handle the heat and looking after 20 littlies being that pregnant. Will have to see how I go.

[mrsmac]

You can change your leave whenever you like and add approval to teach casual too. I found my 1/2 pay was more than half cause of tax, I am top of the pay scale and I think I got about $1,100 per fortnight clear (not exactly sure but can find out if you need to know)

[AliBaby]

Mrs mac- that is so good to know. I thought it would work out a little bit more than half and I will change my forms when I go back. 2 weeks left of holidays today!!! Hasnt it gone quickly!

[mrsmac]

I know too quickly!! I have to prepare myself for kindy for the 1st time in many years!! (and find out if we are striking) I also really need to go in and set up my classroom cause I moved my stuff last year but didn't organise any, lucky we live just down the road from school.

ETA Just checked my credit union statement and my 1/2 pay was about $1600 clear