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Vocational Applied Learning Association

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming VALA events

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Event calendar

  • 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

    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. “Beyond the Classroom” - How Intergenerational Partnerships and Storytelling brought VCE VM Learning to Life”

    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

    Show details

  • Literacy - VCE VM and VPC

    • 4 Sep 2026
    • 09:00 - 15:00
    • The Rendezvous Hotel - Melbourne CBD
    • 40
    Register



    Literacy - VCE VM and VPC

    Shelley Muir - Mentone Grammar


    Masterclass outline:



    Who should attend?

    This one-day intensive masterclass is highly valuable for anyone delivering the Literacy units in the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and the VCE Vocational Major, whether you are a new educator 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

    • 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 2027 VCE VM and VPC Induction

      • 19 Feb 2027
      • 09:00 - 15:15
      • 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

    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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