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Vocational Applied Learning Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming VALA events

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Event calendar

  • Planning 2024 integrated projects….your future you will thank you!

    • 1 Dec 2023
    • 09:00 - 15:30
    • Geelong (Waurn Ponds Estate)
    Register

    Planning 2024 integrated projects - your future you will thank you!

    Friday December 1 – Geelong (Waurn Ponds Estate)

    Be 2024 ready!

    Covering VCE-VM units 1, 2, 3 & 4 and the VPC

    Ideas? Structure? Problem Solving? Time to sort it all out?

    This full day workshop, hosted by our team of curriculum experts, will see you combine your student's interest and aspirations, your (and your teaching team's) strengths and passions with the needs of your community, to develop a dynamic project/program that will have you 2024 ready.

    The day will kick off with an engaging presentation by Geoff Bird outlining the 

    Topics covered include integrating curriculum, working with varied individual student needs, creating community partnerships, tracking student progress, assessment, templates, project timelines and project funding.

    There will be dedicated time for you to design your program/projects that allows student agency whilst meeting the Key knowledge and Key skills/ Learning Goals outlined in the new curriculum designs with support from our team of experts. 

    Projects will be shared on the day so you will walk away with MANY future ideas.

    Bring yourself (and your team) and we will bring ours!

    Cherie Osta is an extremely committed and motivated teacher who develops meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with her students and the community. This has been acknowledged through multiple VCAA VCAL awards, including the 2017 VCAL Teacher of the Year Award and 2022 Chair’s Award. Highly regarded for her contributions to Applied learning at local, regional and state levels, Cherie is a dynamic conference presenter with over 18 years of working in applied learning at Lorne P-12 College.

    Geoff Bird was instrumental in setting up Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12's highly regarded and multiple award-winning applied programs. A highly experienced, committed and motivated teacher and workshop presenter, Geoff is a master in demonstrating how to develop and construct meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with the community.

    Narelle Bean is an Assistant Principal at Werribee Secondary College. She was awarded the VCAA Chair’s Award for 2019 as well as the 2016 VCAA VCAL Teacher of the Year Award. Narelle has developed and shared her vast experience in, and passion for, applied learning in a number of settings at all three levels of VCAL. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is a firm believer that relationship development and experience in the workplace is integral to student success in applied learning programs.

    Shelley Muir has been coordinating VCAL for over 10 years, and in 2016 moved from the public sector to set up the VCAL program at Mentone Grammar. She is a passionate advocate for Applied Learning who seeks to create meaningful connections between students, the world of work and their community. Shelley received the VCAA VCAL Program Development Award in 2019 and has coordinated the VCAL network in the Southern Metropolitan Region since 2012. Shelley is also Head of Careers at Mentone Grammar and brings her passion for vocational education to career education programs and pathways for all students in Years 9-12.

    Natalie Purves  - VALA Professional Learning and Development Manager



    Show details

  • Planning your future 2024 integrated projects….your future you will thank you!

    • 6 Dec 2023
    • 09:00 - 15:30
    • Jasper Hotel Melbourne
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Planning 2024 integrated projects - your future you will thank you!

    Wednesday December 6 – Jasper Hotel Melbourne

    Be 2024 ready!

    Covering VCE-VM units 1, 2, 3 & 4 and VPC

    Ideas? Structure? Problem Solving? Time to sort it all out?

    This full day workshop, hosted by multiple applied learning award recipients Cherie Osta, Geoff Bird, Narelle Bean and Mal Hand together with our will see you combine your student's interest and aspirations, your (and your teaching team's) strengths and passions with the needs of your community, to develop a dynamic project/program that will have you 2024 ready.

    Topics covered include integrating curriculum, working with varied individual student needs, creating community partnerships, tracking student progress, assessment, templates, project timelines and project funding.

    There will be dedicated time for you to design your program/projects that allows student agency whilst meeting the Key knowledge and Key skills/ Learning Goals outlined in the new curriculum designs with support from Cherie. 

    Projects will be shared on the day so you will walk away with MANY future ideas.

    Bring yourself (and your team) and we'll bring ours!

    Cherie Osta is an extremely committed and motivated teacher who develops meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with her students and the community. This has been acknowledged through multiple VCAA VCAL awards, including the 2017 VCAL Teacher of the Year Award and 2022 Chair’s Award. Highly regarded for her contributions to Applied learning at local, regional and state levels, Cherie is a dynamic conference presenter with over 18 years of working in applied learning at Lorne P-12 College.

    Geoff Bird was instrumental in setting up Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12's highly regarded and multiple award-winning applied programs. A highly experienced, committed and motivated teacher and workshop presenter, Geoff is a master in demonstrating how to develop and construct meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with the community.

    Mal Hand has spent her life working with teenagers – as a Secondary school teacher of English and Maths, as a youth worker, and as a foster parent. She has been teaching VCAL for many years, teaching all strands of the program. Mal has an abiding interest in adolescent wellbeing. She is also a published author, writing under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Margaret. Mal considers herself very fortunate to be able to use her teaching and youth work skills to assist these resilient young people with their challenges on the journey to adulthood. 

    Narelle Bean is an Assistant Principal at Werribee Secondary College. She was awarded the VCAA Chair’s Award for 2019 as well as the 2016 VCAA VCAL Teacher of the Year Award. Narelle has developed and shared her vast experience in, and passion for, applied learning in a number of settings at all three levels of VCAL. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is a firm believer that relationship development and experience in the workplace is integral to student success in applied learning programs.

    Natalie Purves  - VALA Professional Learning and Development Manager



    Show details

  • Planning 2024 integrated projects….your future you will thank you!

    • 8 Dec 2023
    • 09:00 - 15:30
    • Wangaratta (Performing Arts Centre)
    Register

    Planning 2024 integrated projects - your future you will thank you!

    Friday December 8 – Wangaratta (Performing Arts Centre and Convention Centre)

    Be 2024 ready!

    Covering VCE-VM units 1, 2, 3 & 4 and the VPC

    Ideas? Structure? Problem Solving? Time to sort it all out?

    This full day workshop, hosted by our team of curriculum experts, will see you combine your student's interest and aspirations, your (and your teaching team's) strengths and passions with the needs of your community, to develop a dynamic project/program that will have you 2024 ready.

    The day will kick off with an engaging presentation by Geoff Bird outlining the 

    Topics covered include integrating curriculum, working with varied individual student needs, creating community partnerships, tracking student progress, assessment, templates, project timelines and project funding.

    There will be dedicated time for you to design your program/projects that allows student agency whilst meeting the Key knowledge and Key skills/ Learning Goals outlined in the new curriculum designs with support from our team of experts. 

    Projects will be shared on the day so you will walk away with MANY future ideas.

    Bring yourself (and your team) and we will bring ours!

    Cherie Osta is an extremely committed and motivated teacher who develops meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with her students and the community. This has been acknowledged through multiple VCAA VCAL awards, including the 2017 VCAL Teacher of the Year Award and 2022 Chair’s Award. Highly regarded for her contributions to Applied learning at local, regional and state levels, Cherie is a dynamic conference presenter with over 18 years of working in applied learning at Lorne P-12 College.

    Geoff Bird was instrumental in setting up Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12's highly regarded and multiple award-winning applied programs. A highly experienced, committed and motivated teacher and workshop presenter, Geoff is a master in demonstrating how to develop and construct meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with the community.

    Mal Hand has spent her life working with teenagers – as a Secondary school teacher of English and Maths, as a youth worker, and as a foster parent. She has been teaching VCAL for many years, teaching all strands of the program. Mal has an abiding interest in adolescent wellbeing. She is also a published author, writing under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Margaret. Mal considers herself very fortunate to be able to use her teaching and youth work skills to assist these resilient young people with their challenges on the journey to adulthood. 

    Narelle Bean is an Assistant Principal at Werribee Secondary College. She was awarded the VCAA Chair’s Award for 2019 as well as the 2016 VCAA VCAL Teacher of the Year Award. Narelle has developed and shared her vast experience in, and passion for, applied learning in a number of settings at all three levels of VCAL. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is a firm believer that relationship development and experience in the workplace is integral to student success in applied learning programs.

    Natalie Purves  - VALA Professional Learning and Development Manager



    Show details

  • 2023 VCE-VM and VPC Showcases

    • 13 Dec 2023
    • 08:30 - 15:30
    • Jasper Hotel Melbourne


    2023 VCE VM & VPC Showcases

    Wednesday December 13 – Jasper Hotel Melbourne

    Expression of Interest to present at the VCE VM & VPC Showcase

     Google Form

    Expression of Interest to present closes Friday, November 17

    VCE VM Showcase presenter and 1 co-presenter will have free access to the event.

    Program to be released shortly


    Welcome to the Inaugural 2023 VCE VM & VPC Showcase Event, proudly presented by VALA!

     This year marked the first year of the implementation of the Victorian Certificate of Education - Vocational Major (VCE-VM) and the Victorian Pathway Certificate (VPC). We’re pleased to share extraordinary projects developed and delivered by Vocational and Applied Learning educators throughout 2023.

    This  full day of short, sharp (30 minute) presentations of trialed and tested projects and implementation strategies reflecting the breadth of creative practice and diversity in our applied learning community is sure to inspire you and inform your 2024 program planning.

    Join us on the 13th of December as we celebrate the outstanding work all VCE-VM & VPC educators do with young people from diverse settings.


    Show details

  • Engaging ALL students successfully in mathematics and numeracy

    • 13 Dec 2023
    • 09:00 - 15:00
    • Jasper Hotel - 489 Elizabeth Street - Melbourne
    Register


    Engaging ALL students successfully in mathematics and numeracy.

    Dave Tout - ACER & Multifangled


    "Practical applications that I can use immediately"

    "Having valuable discussions with like minded people who are struggling with the same issues affecting me, and having an expert give advice and guidance"


    This one-day intensive masterclass is suitable for anyone teaching mathematics or numeracy in the middle and upper secondary years, especially in the Victorian Pathways Certificate, VCE Vocational Major, VCE Foundation maths students, alongside teachers and trainers working with disengaged youth and adult and VET learners. 


    In order to support and engage ALL students successfully in mathematics and numeracy learning, teaching needs to move beyond the textbook, worksheets and ‘chalk and talk’ to offer an alternative approach and a chance for all students to succeed in and enjoy mathematics teaching and learning. The information, discussions and hands-on activities in this workshop will look at the essential and crucial role that numeracy plays in the 21st century and will focus on activities that develop and practise a range of core mathematical skills through a wide range of approaches such as games, whole class and small group, cooperative work, as well as on enjoyment and having fun with mathematics. Many of the approaches also support and encourage the use and understanding of mathematical language, which is an important underpinning skill that needs to be explicitly addressed in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Activities also demonstrate how mathematics can be made relevant and more engaging through the use of real-life materials and contexts. 


    Dave has worked for 50 years in school and adult education, including the VET sector, working across schools, TAFEs, ACE providers, universities, workplaces and in State and national educational bodies and organisations. Dave has extensive experience and expert knowledge about numeracy teaching, learning and assessment, and the focus of much of his work has been about supporting and enhancing the learning of mathematics for all students, especially those disengaged from mathematics. He has a long history of developing and running numeracy professional development programs and workshops, and has presented on a wide range of topics at local, regional, state, national and international events including in Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, NZ, Spain, Sweden, the US and the UK. Dave has been involved in international numeracy/maths assessments including PISA and the adult equivalent, the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). He is currently chair of the Numeracy Expert Group for the OECD’s international survey of adult skills (PIAAC). Dave has written maths and numeracy curriculum and teaching materials including for the Victorian qualifications such as the CGEA (Certificates in General Education for Adults), the VCE, VCAL, and its replacements, the VCE Vocational Major and the Victorian Pathways Certificate. Dave is also one of the authors of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). Dave is a Senior Research Fellow in Numeracy and Mathematics at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and a numeracy and mathematics consultant.


      We look forward to seeing you there!


      Registration includes morning tea and lunch.

      You will receive a certificate of attendance post event.

      The program is subject to change without notice



      Show details

    • NEW! Planning your future 2024 integrated projects….your future you will thank you!

      • 16 Feb 2024
      • 09:00 - 15:30
      • Jasper Hotel Melbourne
      • 86
      Register

      Planning 2024 integrated projects - your future you will thank you!

      Friday February 16 – Jasper Hotel Melbourne

      Be 2024 ready!

      Covering VCE-VM units 1, 2, 3 & 4 and VPC

      Ideas? Structure? Problem Solving? Time to sort it all out?

      This full day workshop, hosted by multiple applied learning award recipients Cherie Osta, Geoff Bird, Narelle Bean, Shelley Muir and Mal Hand will see you combine your student's interest and aspirations, your (and your teaching team's) strengths and passions with the needs of your community, to develop a dynamic project/program that will have you 2024 ready.

      Topics covered include integrating curriculum, working with varied individual student needs, creating community partnerships, tracking student progress, assessment, templates, project timelines and project funding.

      There will be dedicated time for you to design your program/projects that allows student agency whilst meeting the Key knowledge and Key skills/ Learning Goals outlined in the new curriculum designs with support from Cherie. 

      Projects will be shared on the day so you will walk away with MANY future ideas.

      Bring yourself (and your team) and we'll bring ours!

      Cherie Osta is an extremely committed and motivated teacher who develops meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with her students and the community. This has been acknowledged through multiple VCAA VCAL awards, including the 2017 VCAL Teacher of the Year Award and 2022 Chair’s Award. Highly regarded for her contributions to Applied learning at local, regional and state levels, Cherie is a dynamic conference presenter with over 18 years of working in applied learning at Lorne P-12 College.

      Geoff Bird was instrumental in setting up Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12's highly regarded and multiple award-winning applied programs. A highly experienced, committed and motivated teacher and workshop presenter, Geoff is a master in demonstrating how to develop and construct meaningful and practical projects in collaboration with the community.

      Mal Hand has spent her life working with teenagers – as a Secondary school teacher of English and Maths, as a youth worker, and as a foster parent. She has been teaching VCAL for many years, teaching all strands of the program. Mal has an abiding interest in adolescent wellbeing. She is also a published author, writing under the pseudonym of Elizabeth Margaret. Mal considers herself very fortunate to be able to use her teaching and youth work skills to assist these resilient young people with their challenges on the journey to adulthood. 

      Narelle Bean is an Assistant Principal at Werribee Secondary College. She was awarded the VCAA Chair’s Award for 2019 as well as the 2016 VCAA VCAL Teacher of the Year Award. Narelle has developed and shared her vast experience in, and passion for, applied learning in a number of settings at all three levels of VCAL. With over 20 years of experience in education, she is a firm believer that relationship development and experience in the workplace is integral to student success in applied learning programs.

      Natalie Purves  - VALA Professional Learning and Development Manager



      Show details

    VALA respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.

    We respectfully acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

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