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Vocational Applied Learning Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming VALA events

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Event calendar

  • Establishing and sustaining school gardens in secondary education - VCE VM, VPC, and VET pathways.

    • 30 Apr 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:00
    • Footscray High School 'The Farm' Kinnear Campus, 1 Kinnear Street Footscray VIC 3011
    Register



    Establishing and sustaining school gardens in secondary education.

    (VCE VM, VPC, and VET pathways)

    Facilitated by:

    Jak Dunstan (Footscray High School),

    Brian Daniells (Bundoora Secondary College),

    Jodie Calwell and Mark Pullin (Veg Education),

    Tania Karamitos and Craig Taberner (Victorian Schools Garden Program and Nursery Garden Industry Victoria).

    Catering for this event is sourced from the ASRC, supplemented by paddock to plate pizzas provided by Footscray High School

    Workshop outline:

    We are delighted to be collaborating with Jak Dunstan, an educator in the Environment and Sustainability department at Footscray High School, Kinnear Campus (Years 10–12).

    This workshop will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 'The Farm,' an award-winning garden program on a one-acre space nestled within the school.

    The core objective of this PD is to provide schools with the foundational knowledge and practical advice they need to develop, sustain, and integrate a garden into the secondary curriculum, including VCE VM, VPC, and VET pathways. We recognise that many schools have the space and interest but often lack guidance on development, maintenance, and sourcing ongoing support.

    The full day PD will be made up of four interactive sessions:

    1. Jak Dunstan ‘The Farm’

    Urban farming how it works (curriculum and practical application)

    2. Brian Daniells - ‘Greenwood Farm’ and Veg Education (RTO) 

    Applied learning and community partnerships

    3. Victorian Schools Garden Program and Nursery Garden Industry Victoria

    Grants, Awards, Branch Out Program

    4. Reflection and where to from now…

    Presenter bios and workshops outline.docx

    Who should attend:

    This full day interactive workshop is highly recommended for any educator interesting in starting, sustaining and/or expanding a School Garden embedding it within the VPC, VCE VM, or relevant VET Certificates

    Please note: There are limited numbers for this workshop, so please get your registrations in early to avoid disappointment.


    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

  • Coordinating for Success - VCE VM and VPC

    • 7 May 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:00
    • The Savoy Hotel - Melbourne CBD
    • 34
    Register



    Coordinating for Success - VCE VM and VPC

    Shelley Muir - Mentone Grammar


    Masterclass outline:

    The role of Coordinator is critical to the success of the VCE VM and VPC in your school. Aside from advocating to leadership and the wider community, the role is crucial in navigating your students to a successful certificate completion and access meaningful pathways beyond the school gate.  All the tasks involved can feel a bit overwhelming and daunting at times. Join Shelley as she shares the 'What, Why and When' on successful coordination.


    Who should attend?

    This one-day intensive masterclass is highly valuable for anyone coordinating the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and the VCE Vocational Major, whether you are a new coordinator or are looking to streamline and improve your current practice.

    About your presenter:

    Shelley is an educator with 20 years’ experience in both government and independent sectors. She has established and led VCAL and VCE-VM programs in two schools and has worked with several independent schools to introduce vocational learning into their program offerings. Shelley was awarded the 2019 VCAA Teacher Achievement Award for Program Development.  As Head of Pathways and Careers at Mentone Grammar, Shelley is passionate about helping young people realise their potential, research opportunities and shape meaningful pathways. She is a teacher of all VCE-VM units, VCE Psychology, and VET.


      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



      Who should attend?

      This one-day intensive masterclass is highly valuable for anyone coordinating the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and the VCE Vocational Major, whether you are a new coordinator or are looking to streamline and improve your current practise.
      Show details

    • WRS Unit 4 - Portfolios

      • 22 May 2026
      • 09:00 - 15:00
      • The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Street
      • 29
      Register



      WRS Unit 4 - Portfolios

      Narelle Bean  - Deputy Principal

      Ballarat High School


      Masterclass outline:

      Build powerful, evidence-based Work Related Skills portfolios with clarity and confidence. This targeted professional learning session unpacks the requirements of the VCE VM Work Related Skills Unit 4 and translates them into practical classroom strategies. Explore how to design authentic assessment tasks, scaffold student reflection, and align portfolio evidence with outcomes and performance descriptors. Learn moderation-ready approaches to documentation, feedback cycles, and verification processes. Walk away with templates, exemplars, and implementation tools that strengthen compliance while preserving student voice and agency. 


      Who should attend?

      This one-day intensive masterclass is ideal for VCE VM educators seeking rigorous, streamlined, and meaningful portfolio development practices that support successful completion

      About your presenter:

      Narelle Bean is Deputy Principal at Ballarat High School. 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 covering all past and present Applied Learning Certificates in Victoria. With well over 20 years of experience in education, curriculum writing and development and quality assurance, she is a firm believer that relationship development and experience in the workplace is integral to student success in applied learning programs.

      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

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

      • 7 Aug 2026
      • 09:00 - 16:00
      • Rydges Melbourne
      Register



      Friday August 7 – Ridges Hotel Melbourne


      Expression of Interest to Present

      Member super early bird open now

      Confirmed presenters to date

      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.

      An invitation to express your interest to present!


      Past and present VALA presenters attest that presenting at your professional teacher's association's events and share your  experience and passion is an incredible rewarding experience!

      (We are here to support you in sharpening your presentation and ease your nerves !)


      Register your EoI through the link below:

      https://forms.gle/a4AW7jJXAz2ggy5X8

      EoI closes Thursday April 9  (end of first week of the term break)

      (Confirmed solo/main presenters have free access to the conference.)

      Super Early Bird registration for VALA Members

      Open now until the 7th May 

      Super Early Bird registrations need be paid for by Monday May 11 to avoid cancellation/reissue at the standard member rate.

      Super Early Bird for VALA Members only: $310

      Member standard: $350

      Non - member:  $430


      The full conference program will be released on Monday May 11 when standard member and non-member registration will open.

      Presenting our confirmed presenters to date:


      Doug Bailey - Berry Street Education

      Helen Campbell & Kristina Delaney - Sacred Heart College Kyneton

      Mark Collard - playmeo

      Jeremy Collings - CIRE

      Jane Davies - Positive Intent Consultancy

      Natasha Dickinson - Gleneagles SC

      Bobbie Evans - St Josephs College - Geelong

      Annemarie Holmyard - Hume Valley School

      Ushpal Kullar - ECG College

      Cherie Osta & Geoff Bird - Lorne P-12 College

      Natalie Purves - VALA


      Will we see your name here as well?


      Helene & Natalie

      Show details

    • Safari by the Sea

      • 29 Oct 2026
      • 09:00
      • 30 Oct 2026
      • 15:00
      • Surf Coast - various locations
      Register


      2026 VALA Safari by the Sea



      Applied Learning on the Move!


      At this stage it is still a mystery tour with the only certainty that it will involve visits to high calibre applied learning programs, networking, bowling, Lorne p-12, the Great Ocean Road and the company of passionate applied learning educators.

      With a strict limit of 25 participants (so you can get the most out of it)  this Safari is bound to reach capacity.

      Thursday Morning tea, Lunch, Afternoon tea, Dinner & Friday Morning tea and Lunch are included

      Accommodation is not included.







      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.

    torres-strait-islander-aboriginal-flag

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