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• Safari by the Sea

  • Start
    29 Oct 2026
  •  
    09:00
  • End
    30 Oct 2026
  •  
    15:00
  • Location
    Surf Coast - various locations

  Register

  
  

  2026 VALA Safari by the Sea
  

  
  

  
  

  Applied Learning on the Move!

  Program - subject to change without notice

  Thursday, October 29, 2026

  8.45 - 9.00 Registration @ Point Cook SC

  9.00 Welcome (VALA)

  9.05 - PCSC showcase  - tour of school - questions

  (including morning tea)

  12.00 Depart Point Cook SC by bus (or own transport). 

  (including packed lunch on the bus)

  13.30 Arrive at  Farm my School on the grounds of Colac SC 

  

  Almost 1 year on from it's initial build (in 1 day!), we will witness what can be achieved with passion, dedication and community spirit

  Farm My School was started by professional gardeners Ben Shaw and James McLennan. 

  By growing food on school grounds, James says they hope to build food security and community resilience, plus they’re educating students on how to grow food. 

  (Including afternoon tea)

  15.30 Depart Farm my school

  Dinner, Lorne P-12 VCE VM Project celebration and Barefoot bowling 

  A fantastic opportunity to further foster lasting connections and friendships with your newly found peers from across the state. Exchange experiences and share your challenges. You’ll soon realise you’re not on your own. Always full of passion and packed with problem solving insights, one not to miss!

  (Drinks at own cost)

  Friday, October 30, 2026

  9.00 AM – 12.30 PM Visit Lorne P-12 College

  Includes morning tea

  12.45 PM  packed lunch on the Lorne foreshore

  1.15 PM Bus departs Lorne

  2.45 PM Bus arrives at Point Cook SC.

  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, Barefoot Bowling & Friday Morning tea and Lunch are included

  Accommodation is not included.

  (email Julia at  lorne.groups@mantra.com.au to access discounted accommodation)

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• Working Community Project - a fully integrated program for units 3&4

  • When
    6 Nov 2026
  •  
    09:00 - 15:00
  • Location
    Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    38

  Register

  
  

  Working Community Project

  A fully integrated program for VCE VM units 3 & 4

  Dip in & out

  Natalie Purves - VALA

  
  

  Masterclass outline:

  
  This masterclass will unpack the Working Community Program, a fully integrated VCE VM Unit 3 and 4 project. The 5-phase, fully integrated, 30-week applied learning program covers all outcomes, key knowledge, and key skills for Personal Development Skills (PDS), Literacy, Numeracy, and Work Related Skills (WRS). Students work in teams to plan, implement, and evaluate a community project of their choice related to an environmental, cultural, economic, or social issue affecting the local, national, or global community.
  

  This masterclass will provide educators and leadership with an opportunity to unpack the 5 phases by:
  
    - Exploring opportunities to implement the whole project or identifying where their school can utilise the phases as a "dip in and dip out" approach
    - Discussing how integration is a core element of the WCP and the applied learning pedagogical approach
    - Examining how the three core elements—critical reflection, portfolio preparation and presentation, and power skills—are woven throughout the program
    - Planning how to use the WCP in their school context and community
    - Locating and describing how the WCP teaching and learning activities are scoped and sequenced to the VCE VM study designs
    - Discussing how to manage timetabling, assessment, scheduling, community participation, and careers teaching
  

  
  

  Who should attend?

  VCE VM coordinators, educators and leadership.

  About your presenter:

  
  

  Natalie Purves has been the Professional Learning and Development Manager at VALA for three years. She has developed VCE VM and VPC projects aligned with the curriculum (including the Working Community Project), collaborated with leadership and teachers to enhance their applied learning pedagogical approach, and advocated for schools, teachers, and students in applied and vocational settings. Natalie holds an undergraduate degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education and a Master of Applied Learning and Teaching, where she also lectured in multiple units, and was a PhD candidate. She has a deep passion for applied learning and advocates for this pedagogical approach throughout F-10, VCE, VCE VM, and VPC.
  
  

  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
• Specialist School Safari

  • Start
    12 Nov 2026
  •  
    09:00
  • End
    13 Nov 2026
  •  
    15:00
  • Location
    Warringa Park - Ballarat

  Register

  
  

  2026 VALA Specialist School Safari 
  

  
  

  

  Applied Learning on the Move!

  Program subject to change without notice

  
  

  On Thursday November 12 we will meet in Ballarat to visit Ballarat Specialist School to learn from their innovative staff enabling students to undertake a wide variety of VET qualifications. We will experience their on-site enterprises such as the cafe, op-shop and farm practises, finishing off with a visit to the schools mini Coles before we settle in at the Ballarat Mercure Hotel for dinner and networking

  Friday morning will see us travel to Warringa Park School's Cayleys Road Campus to experience the programs and projects they deliver in their students final year of secondary schooling, including Cafe 10 and Warringa Connect.

  This Safari will leave you with plenty of new ideas, projects and contacts with other supportive and passionate educators celebrating the VPC and preparing for 2027 and beyond

  Please note: participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Ballarat and Warringa Park School as well as overnight accommodation. 

  With a strict limit of 25 participants (so you can get the most out of it)  this Safari is bound to reach capacity, don't delay registering to avoid disappointment.

  Registration fee includes morning tea and lunch on both days, dinner on Thursday evening

  Accommodation is not included.

  Show details
• Planning for 2027's projects….your future you will thank you!

  • When
    20 Nov 2026
  •  
    09:00 - 15:15
  • Location
    Rendezvous Hotel - Melbourne

  Register

  
  

  Planning your 2027 projects - your future you will thank you!

  Friday November 20 – Rendezvous Hotel - Melbourne

  Be 2027 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, and VALA's Natalie Purves and Helene Rooks 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 2026 ready.

  Attended this workshop in the past? This is a great opportunity to continue working on your plan, receive expert feedback on the progress you made over summer and fine tune your 2027 delivery!

  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 curriculum designs with support from our team . 

  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.

  Natalie Purves  - VALA Professional Learning and Development Manager

  Helene Rooks - VALA CEO

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Coordinating for Success - VCE VM and VPC

  • When
    14 Dec 2026
  •  
    09:00 - 15:00
  • Location
    Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    35

  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
• Coordinating for Success - VCE VM and VPC

  • When
    18 Feb 2027
  •  
    09:00 - 15:00
  • Location
    Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
  • Spaces left
    40

  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
• VALA 2027 VCE VM and VPC Induction

  • When
    19 Feb 2027
  •  
    09:00 - 15:15
  • Location
    Rendezvous Hotel - Melbourne

  Register

  
  

  VALA 2027 VCE VM and VPC Induction

  Friday February 19 – Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

  Welcome to the wonderful world of Applied Learning!

  Conference Aims:

  Designed for educators, coordinators and school leaders this conference will cover all elements that make up a solid, quality VCE VM and VPC program and aims to:

  • To equip educators and leadership teams with the skills, knowledge and professional networks to design and deliver quality applied learning programs to (and with!) their students.
  • To increase knowledge, value, access and reputation of quality Applied Learning Programs in secondary schools and beyond.

   Who should attend:

  • Anybody working in or with Applied Learning!

   Program:

  
  

  We look forward to welcoming you in February 2027.

  Helene and Natalie

  REGISTER NOW!

  
  

  Show details