How do I apply for a Blue Card?
Blue Card applications are available from Student Administration. Student Administration will complete Section A, verify your Identification and submit your application to the Commission for Children and Young People and the Child Guardian. It can take up to 12 weeks to receive your Blue card.
My Blue Card has expired. Can I still go to Prac?
No. If your card expires mid-way through your Prac, your Prac will cease immediately until you receive your replacement Blue Card. This can still take similar processing times to a new application. If you apply for a renewal greater than 30 days prior to expiry however, you may continue with your prac. Further details available from the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.
Do I have to enrol in Prac to do it?
Yes.
Where do preservice teachers do their professional experience?
Preservice teachers are placed in primary and secondary school across the Brisbane / Logan district. Griffith University uses state, independent and catholic schools.
Can a preservice teacher choose a specific school?
Preservice teachers may only choose specific schools for their Final Prac*. All other placements are allocated to students by the placement officer.
Do Mt Gravatt / Logan preservice teachers do their professional experience on the Gold Coast?
Mt Gravatt / Logan PEO use the local schools community to place all preservice teachers. Only in exceptional circumstances would they be placed in the Gold Coast area. Living on the Gold Coast is not considered an exceptional circumstance.
Can preservice teachers call schools to organise their placement?
No.
All placements must be arranged through the Professional Experience Office at each campus in accordance with Griffith University PEO policy and the combined universities committee in Queensland.
I know a teacher who will take me for Prac. Can I go there? Can I go where my children go to school?
No.
It is our policy that placements are organised through the School Coordinator, not with teachers. Placements are designed to give you an unbiased experience in everyone's best interests.
Do preservice teachers have to go to school everyday?
Yes.
It is a requirement for graduation and registration with the Queensland College of Teachers that preservice teachers complete all professional experience days in full.
What if the preservice teacher is sick during professional experience?
The preservice teacher must notify their school and the Professional Experience Office immediately. The preservice teacher is required to make this day up at the end of the block period. A completed negotiated make up days form must be signed and submitted to the Professional Experience Office before the preservice teacher attends these additional days. Verification such as a Doctor's Certificate is required for any absences more than 1 day during the Prac period. This includes an absence during lead in days and an absence during block. Documentation is required to support either absence. Successive absences of 5 days or more require approval to vary prac from the Director of the PEO.
Does the preservice teacher have to make up public holidays during professional experience?
Not unless they are a local holiday such as 'Show Day'. State or National Public holidays do not have to be made up and are included in the total number of days attended at prac.
I've lost my Handbook. How can I get a new one?
You can either print one off from Learning@Griffith or pay $10 to obtain another copy from the PEO.
Can I do my prac in a rural or remote area?
Yes, you can apply to do your prac in a rural area. You must have a minimum GPA of 5 and have completed sucessful practicum's in the past. Each case is assessed individually.
Will I be reimbursed for travel to a rural prac?
You can be compensated for up to $200 travel and $200 accommodation for your rural location. Conditions apply and documentary evidence# is required. #original itemised receipts including ABN
* For Primary Education Undergraduate program only preferences are accepted for Final Year PX4, as it is combined with the PX5 Internship placement.