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Vocational Applied Learning Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming VALA events

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Event calendar

  • WRS Unit 4 - Portfolios

    • 22 May 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:00
    • The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Street
    • 21
    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

  • Navigating Numeracy – strategies for implementing the Numeracy Study Design

    • 25 Jun 2026
    • 09:15 - 15:15
    • The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Street
    • 30
    Register


    Navigating Numeracy – strategies for implementing the Numeracy Study Design

    David Young - Heathmont College


    Masterclass outline:

    This session is designed to cover some of the key aspects you’ll need when implementing the VCE VM Numeracy curriculum in your classroom:

    · what the Study Design requires us to do – including differentiating between the requirements of Units 1/2 and 3/4 (‘familiar vs unfamiliar’).

    · ways and means to engage learners with low confidence or ability in mathematics – including hands-on activities that map directly to the evidence you need to collect.

    · strategies for Unit planning that start with a ‘big idea’ – how to build an applied approach to teaching and assessing Numeracy Outcomes (focus on Units 2 and 4).

    Across the day, we will be working collaboratively to understand common challenges and identify solutions that help you and your students to achieve success.

    Who should attend?

    This masterclass is designed for new/early-career teachers in the Numeracy space who are looking for advice on interpreting the Numeracy Study Design, examples of hands-on practical activities that can be run in all classrooms, and strategies for collaboratively planning sequences of work.

    About your presenter:

    David Young is a graduate of Deakin’s Master of Applied Teaching and Learning (MALT) and was awarded the Bank First Academic Excellence Award for the MALT in 2024. David is the current Acting Co-Head of Maths at Heathmont College and is the lead for VM Numeracy at the College, where he is responsible for designing and delivering initiatives across both Units 1/2 and 3/4. David is also involved in mentoring pre-service and graduate teachers in the area of mathematics. He has enormous passion for applied learning and aims to create learning experiences that are of genuine value for students both during and after their time at school.



      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.

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