Each year the Sugito Board of Education (BOE) employs a resident from the Busselton Shire as a Busselton Sugito Exchange Teacher(BSET) to help teach English in Junior high schools and Elementary schools within the town. The conditions of employment are very similar to those participating in the JET program, a government program employing university graduates from native English speaking countries to work alongside Japanese English teachers.

Although the contract is for 1 year it can be renewed for up to 3 years and the BOE likes the BSET to stay in Japan for 2-3 years. The town provides subsidised accommodation, a flight to and from Japan, travel passes to and from the schools and guidance with settling in to life in Japan as well as constantly being on hand to help with any problems the BSET may have.

The BSET does not have to be a teacher in Australia, they just need to have a university diploma to be able to obtain an Instructors Visa. The BSET is an ambassador for Busselton and as such is sometimes asked to perform extra duties e.g. English lessons for the general community, attending functions etc.

Currently there isn’t a BSET in Sugito, mainly because of a lack of suitable applications from Busselton. The position is advertised in the local papers in about March. If you think you would be interested please contact the Association via the link on the Contact SOBSCA page.