Australia as a nation is failing to retain the best people in

the teaching profession. Attrition rates are high with

researchers estimating around 30% to 50% of teachers

leaving in the first five years.

The main reasons why new teachers don’t stay in the

profession is because they do not get the support and

mentoring they need.

One way to help keep new teachers in the profession is to

focus on teacher retention. The working conditions

identified by new teachers as contributing to them leaving

include - lack of administrative support, poor student

discipline and lack of participation in decision making.

Increasing support from school administrators for new

teachers might range from providing enough classroom

supplies to providing mentors. Mentors are important for

young people and they are especially crucial for beginning

teachers. Data shows that mentoring programs can have

a positive impact on retention.

Graduate Teacher Retention Graduate and Grow Graduate Teacher Induction

Principals Australia Institute (PAI) has developed the Graduate

and Grow resource for leaders and mentors, to support

graduate teachers. The kit is a practical hands on resource

for graduate teachers to use alongside their school leader or

mentor. The kit includes guide books, information cards,

online webinars and more.

Is the Graduate and Grow resource the right solution for

your school? Here are some questions for you to think

about:

• How well is your current approach to graduate

induction/ mentoring working?

• What are the current retention figures for graduate

teachers in your school?

• Are your graduate teachers talking about staying in

the profession?

• Do your graduate teachers have a sense of belonging

at the school?

• How easily do staff volunteer to become guides,

mentors or coaches to new graduate teachers?

PAI can assist you through it’s dedicated graduate

resource, and help you to improve your rentention

strategies.