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Introducing our South African teachers at CTS

Cameron Braans and Christine Kritzinger are just two of a growing number of South African teachers who are coming to the UK to teach in Brooke Weston Trust schools.

Cameron and Christine have joined the team at Corby Technical School and are settling into our education system and getting used to the culture.

Cameron started at the school last August and teaches maths and English. He said: ‘I have always wanted to come to England. I did a gap year here eight years ago and worked at a primary school in Norwich. I really enjoyed the system and thought I wanted to come over here for at least a few years, I thought it would be good for my career. There is no language barrier and the UK plays the same sports that I enjoyed in South Africa, such as cricket, golf and rugby. I didn’t know much about Corby but I needed to know if there were cricket and rugby clubs around. There were, so that was all I needed to know!

'I feel welcomed by the school. I had a two week induction at Brooke Weston Teaching School Alliance which helped me a lot to get used to the school system and expectations. From a professional point of view I have really enjoyed joining the staff body here. They are a relatively young staff and are very friendly and welcoming. From a social point of view at South African schools you are expected to do a lot of extra-curricular stuff so I was coaching sport most weekends, so I missed a lot of my own sports so restarting those is definitely something that I am enjoying. I miss things, people and family but I enjoy it here.’

Christine Kritzinger, a newly qualified teacher, has only been in the UK since December. She has a BSc in human life science and teaches biology, chemistry and physics. She said: ‘My plan was to see a bit of the world and England was a great choice as there is not a big culture difference and English is my second language as well. The staff have been really accommodating and are happy to share resources. My visa is for nearly three years and so it has definitely been a good career move. I have also socialised a lot with other South African teachers who work in other Trust schools.’

Principal Angela Reynolds said: ‘I am delighted that Cameron and Christine have settled in so well at Corby Technical School, they are very valuable additions to our staff, and bring an added dimension to our students as well.’