Cheers to 21 Years - from our classrooms to yours - VALA 2026 Conference

Friday August 7 – Ridges Hotel Melbourne

Welcome to the 2026 Applied Learning Conference, the premier event for educators, stakeholders, and exhibitors passionate about the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC). with 35 workshops to choose from, this conference is designed to bring together like-minded professionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of best practices in applied learning.

For over 21 years, VALA has supported educators by translating curriculum into meaningful, integrated classroom applications, advocating for applied learning, and promoting its value at all levels of government. This year’s event continues that legacy, providing an exceptional opportunity to explore new strategies, engage with leading experts, and connect with a vibrant community committed to enhancing learning experiences for students.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of applied learning, showcase practical innovations, and inspire the next generation of educators and learners. The 2026 Applied Learning Conference promises to be an enriching experience that equips you with the tools, insights, and connections to make a tangible impact in your classrooms and beyond.

WARNING:

Participants may leave the conference experiencing joy, possibly euphoria after connecting with like minded educators, inspired,  re-energised and equipped with the knowledge and passion to bring the days learnings into their classrooms.

Full Program (subject to change without notice)

Short Program:

Keynote presentations and panel discussion

Schooling Misogyny

Dr Stephanie Westcott – Monash University

PhotoVoice

Renee Molloy – PhD Candidate – Monash University

Georgina Shugg – Teacher David Scott School

David Scott School Students

Session A 11.00 - 11.45 

A1. Be More You: practical learning programs at Cire Community School

Jeremy Collings – Teaching and Learning Leader – Cire Community School

A2. Trauma informed Positive Education

Doug Bailey - Berry Street Education

A3. Keeping students engaged through SBATs

Jamie Gray & Hari Nicolaou - HeadStart

A4 Lifting the profile of VCE VM/VPC at your school

Maree Foster – VCE VM Teacher, Data and Goal Setting Leader Patterson River

A5 IEP goals and the VPC

Annemarie Holmyard - Hume Valley School

A6. How to present a unit on Media Literacy for Unit 3 from beginning to end.

Antoinette Rehak - Epping Secondary School

Session B 11.45 - 12.30 

B1. Vicarious Trauma

Jane Davies – Positive Intent Consultancy

B2. Simple Activities That Help Students Connect & Get Along

Mark Collard - playmeo

B3. The world of Work – year 10 program covering unit 2 WRS

Helen Campbell & Kristina Delaney - Sacred Heart College Kyneton

B4. Engaging Integrated Applied Learning projects - a retrospective

Brendan Donahoo 

B5. Central Highlands Area Literacy project

Veneita Sewell - SJSPO – DE

B6. The Working Communities Program-

Georgie Shugg and students– David Scott School & Natalie Purves – VALA

Session C 13.15 - 2.00

C1. Applied Learning through Enterprise

Bobbie Evans - St Josephs College - Geelong

C2 “Don’t Take the Bait: Teaching Students Who Push Back”   Using curiosity, restorative practice and positive classroom management to respond to refusal, avoidance and shutdown.

Bryce Flannery – Assistant Principal - Point Cook SC

C3. Immersive Experience of the Pillars in the Classroom

Christina Paizes - Leader in Learning Design & Applied Education - MYBrainwave

C4. Unit 3 and 4 Vocational Major Numeracy - Project Based Learning

Brad Taylor –Performance and Growth Leader - St Columba’s College

C5. Understanding the Study Design Through AQF, ACSF and Bloom’s Taxonomy: Focus on how to interpret the study design with clarity and precision.

Kate McKenna – Head of Curriculum - Hester Hornbrook Academy

C6. 21 years of Applied Learning Projects – a retrospective

Cherie Osta - Lorne P-12 College

Session D 2.00 - 2.45

D1. AI in the VCE VM Classroom: Waving not Drowning!

Natasha Dickinson – AP Gleneagles College

D2 Student Engagement in the VCE VM and VPC.

Ushpal Kullar - Senior Curriculum Lead Teacher - ECG Secondary College

D3. "This is your life" an integrated, intergenerational project. (integrated or stand-alone PDS/Literacy)

Matt Murray – Teaching and Wellbeing – Terang College

D4. The HOPE teaching and Learning Strategy

Rhys O’Loughlin – Head of Digital Learning & Kate McKenna – Head of Curriculum - Hester Hornbrook Academy

D5. Literacy

Katie White CRT - Bauer College

D6. The Big Issue Classroom

Danya Sterling