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Victorian Applied Learning Association

- professional support - networking - resource sharing -

August 2011 newsletter

In this issue

VALA News

1. Pathways for Progress – the VALA / VISTA Annual Conference

Thursday 1 September @ William Angliss Institute, 555 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne

The conference will explore strategies for connecting young people in VET to a variety of options that will further enhance their skills and employability.

Places are filling fast so register NOW!

2. Changes to School Education Funding from 2012

As many of you will know, an announcement was made by DEECD on Thursday 18th August that funding for VCAL Coordination in schools would be withdrawn from the commencement of the 2012 school year.

In accordance with VALA’s goal to advocate for applied learning pedagogies to be used in all sectors of education, and in particular in terms of VALA’s role in support of VCAL providers, the VALA Committee has met and is in the process of formulating a formal response.

The response will reiterate the recommendations that were made in relation to the DEECD discussion paper on the future of VCAL funding and will help to inform a meeting with DEECD representatives.

Linda Mitchell, VALA President

3. Num3racy professional development - it’s as easy as abc, 123 ...

14th October • Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Preston

Looking for new ways of encouraging VCAL students to embrace maths? This PD will provide practical ideas for teachers based around applied learning approaches.

Sessions include:

Having some fun with maths and numeracy - Dave Tout
Applying maths through investigations and activities- Chris Tully

Details and registration

See some resources from the day and some resources provided by participants.

4. VALA AGM and forum

When? Wednesday 26th October • 5.00 for 5.30 start

Where? TBC

What?

Start with a nibble, a drink and a chat with VALA committee members and staff.
Hear the guest presenter, David Gallagher, Manager VCAL, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority talk about ‘VCAL 10th. Birthday Did we get it right?’

Take part in the VALA AGM.

Some of us will stay on for dinner (at your expense).

If you are interested in becoming involved in the VALA committee of management, contact Jan Hagston jan@vala.asn.au or ph 9687 0336.

RSVP: Attendance is free but you must tell us you're attending. Email info@vala.asn.au by Friday, 21st October. Preference is given to VALA members.

5. WorkABLE – a day to help you plan for WRS for 2012

24th November • Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Preston
More details coming soon.

6. 2012 Dates for your diary

VALA’s VCAL Induction PD day – 22nd February 2012
2012 VALA conference – 23rd March 2012

SAFE-T1 News

7. SAFE-T1 Resource Showcase - What does a WorkSafe inspector do?

Includes video interviews with WorkSafe inspector Dan Nolan covering various aspects of the role of a WorkSafe inspector.

Inspector Dan interviews Topics include:

Introducing the Inspector
Workplace visits
Prosecution
Young workers and incidents
Hazards.

There are multiple choice questions and projects relating to each topic.

8. Term 3 SAFE-T1 competition - OHS Stick figure animation

Have your students started on their stick figure animations highlighting an OHS hazard?

To enter the Term 3 SAFE-T1 competition they should send their entries to jan@vala.asn.au by 23rd September.The entries will be judged on their creativity and how effectively they show the hazards in their chosen industry.

Stick figure animation software can be downloaded for free and is easy to use. Watch some examples of stick figure animations here.

More information.

9. Workplace bullying and young workers

Bullying figures Regional workshops are being offered to introduce the new free resources on workplace bullying available on the Safe-T1 website. The workshops are free but registration is required.

Several identical programs will be offered around the state.

Bendigo September 15
OELLEN Ringwood September 22
Benalla October 13 or 20th (TBC)
Gippsland, November 25, 2011

More info linnet@vala.asn.au

Other News

10. Leadership forum for young women 15 to 18

YWCA Victoria's EPIC Young Women's Leadership Forum is for young women aged 15 to 18 who want to come together to learn about leadership, hear inspirational speakers, develop new skills, have their say on women's issues, and be creative.

The forum is FREE and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact Tori on 8341 8732 or email leadership@ywca.net To register, visit www.ywca.net click on “What We Do” then “EPIC Leadership”.

11. Applications are now open for the 2011 rotary youth leadership award (RYLA)

Young people aged 18 to 25 interested in learning more about themselves, developing their leadership skills and having fun are invited to apply for the 2011 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program.

For further information go to www.ryla9800.org.au, contact your local Rotary Club, or contact Alick Weber 0409 396 596 or Caley Otter 0417 383 522

12. Boating Safety and Facilities Program

Applications are now being sought for the 2011-12 round of the Boating Safety and Facilities Program. Closing date is Thursday 15th September.

Get information booklet and applications forms

If you would like further assistance please contact the Boating Safety and Facilities Program, Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222 or email boating.grants@transport.vic.gov.au

Resources

13. STAND OUT! Student resource for tackling homophobia launched

Stand Out is a guide to challenging homophobia in schools. It has been developed by Safe Schools Coalition Victoria and Minus 18.

The resource brings together stories and advice of young people across Victoria who are making a real difference by challenging homophobia in their schools.

Hard copies of the Stand Out resource will be available through Safe Schools Coalition Victoria.

14. Learning choices national scan

Dusseldorp Skills Forum carried out an on-line survey of alternative education programs and approaches in early 2011. This report, by Roger Holdsworth from the Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne, summarises the responses and comments on the survey results. It also includes suggestions for follow-up that could be addressed through relevant case studies.

The report can be downloaded here.

Professional development opportunities

15. 2011 Big Picture Education Conference

October 19th-21st in the Substation at 1 Market Street, Newport 3015

Speakers will include:

Elliot Washor on Deeper Learning through Making and Performing
John Hogan on Mathematics, Numeracy and Quantative Reasoning

The conference will also host and moderate Big Picture Specialist Workshops on topics such as:

Internships
Advisories
Personalisation
One Student At A Time
Rigour and more.

Go to http://www.bigpicture.org.au/ for more information.

16. Intuyu Consulting workshop - Beginning Teachers Survival: Praise, Preparation and Planning

Tuesday November 29th • Brighton Beach

Cost: Early bird $187; Full price $220 BUT Intuyu is offering VALA members a special rate - Early bird; $165, full price $187.

The full PD program can be found at http://www.intuyuconsulting.com.au/. For more information or to book, contact Adrian on 0413 036 382 or at office@intuyuconsulting.com.au

17. ACAL’s Pre conference Forum 'Transitions and Transformations'

Monday 26 September 2011 • Victoria University, City Flinders Campus, Melbourne

This forum will focus on the literacies that learners encounter when making the transition from one sector to another. One of the afternoon sessions will focus on youth transitions and provide case studies of transitions and transformations.

See the program.

18. ACAL Conference - 'Literacy on the Map: Common Visions, Different Paths'

ACAL Conference 27th – 28th September 2011 • Victoria University, City Flinders Campus, Melbourne

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