Calendar 2012
Mar 23, 2012
2012 VALA Conference 'Developing New Assumptions'
2012 Term Dates
Term 1 • 1 Feb -30 Mar
Term 2 • 16 Apr - 29 Jun
Term 3 • 16 Jul - 21 Sep
Term 4 • 8 Oct - 21 Dec
2012 Induction Day for new VCAL teachers
A must for teachers tackling VCAL classes for the first time.
February 22, 2012 at Rydges Bell City in Preston
VALA 2012 Conference - 'D.N.A. Developing New Assumptions'
March 23, 2012
Rydges Bell City, Preston
A path to re-engagement • Evaluating the first year of a Community VCAL education program for young people
See the full report (PDF)
The Brotherhood of St Laurence’s 2010 Community VCAL (CVCAL) program was tailored for young people aged 15 to 18 who had experienced barriers to education, often leading to expulsion or ‘exiting’ from mainstream schools.
Key points (abbreviated version!)
• Students’ demeanour improved markedly soon after their enrolment
• The attendance rate (79 per cent) and improvements in confidence among the students were very encouraging
• Academic outcomes were also encouraging, with 10 of 11 seniors (Year 12) graduating, and 12 of 14 intermediates (Year 11) progressing to their senior level (in 2011).
• Teaching the CVCAL demanded unique skills, commitment and passion: conventional teacher training did little to prepare teachers for this setting.
• Staff experienced difficulties in their attempts to synchronise the VET, workplace training and classroom tuition components of the CVCAL.
• The program would benefit greatly from access to more initial information about referred students’ existing needs and the experiences that led to disengagement.
See the full report (PDF)
New EO appointed
The VALA Committee welcomes Adam Whitbread as the new VALA EO, effective from January 2012.
You probably met Adam at recent VALA events as he has been job sharing the VALA Professional Learning role. Adam is brimming with ideas and is excited by the opportunity and he looks forward to meeting more of the VCAL community.
Adam has a background in Media and Education including 25 years teaching experience in Australia, the UK and the US, where he has worked widely in the film, TV, radio and multimedia industries. In 2005 he founded the "Armed and Dangerous Youth Arts and Media Forum" - now an annual showcase for non-mainstream schools and community organisations within the St Kilda Short Film Festival.
Adam completed his MBA in 2008 and has worked as a freelance producer and consultant with a particular interest in Social Enterprise in the Youth Arts and Media space.
2011 WRS Day - Making a rap video - in an hour!
The video 'FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT (TO SAFETY)' was produced by a group of teachers participating in 
VALA's WorkABLE PD.
The participants in 'Making a Noise About OH&S' were invited to develop their own version of these resources.
SAFE-T1 Starter Book
Workplace health and safety resources for young workers and their teachers
Truly ‘by popular demand’ this book – spiral-bound with 100 plus pages - gives you samples of the goodies available on the SAFE-T1 website, including introductory information about OHS and print-based teaching and learning materials. It’s what people have been asking for at professional development days and conferences.
VALA members have been sent one free copy and we slipped in a SAFE-T1 CD sampler too.
VALA members can get more books for just $30 each.
Non-members can purchase a copy for $45 includes GST, postage and handling.
Disappointment in changes to VCAL coordination funding
See the latest on this matter