e-VALBEC August 2004
This is the electronic newsletter of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
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IN THIS ISSUE OF e-VALBEC:
1. ‘Four Seasons In One Day’ - ACAL Conference and NCVER Research Forum
- Full Presentation Details now available
- Numbers
- Footy Season
2. Fine Print
3. VALBEC Professional Development
- Language Learning through Public Art with Ruth Woods and Lisa Fitt
- One-to-one tutor development with Jan Phillips, Shepparton ACE
4. Other PD
- ARIS PD Semester 2 2004
- Brain Gym - A Workout for Teachers
- VATME Cultural Background Series – Sudan ESL Resources and Games
-  ‘Special Issues in Teaching Students with Disabilities’ Conference.
5. Strategic Dialogue Workshop - 12 July 2004
6. DEST Request for comments
7. VALBEC committee meeting
8. Vacancies on the ACFE Board
9. Unsubscribe?
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1. ‘Four Seasons In One Day’ - ACAL Conference and NCVER Research Forum
http://www.valbec.org.au/acalconf/
Full Presentation Details now available
Visit the conference web site (http://www.valbec.org.au/acalconf/presdetails.html) to see the full details of many of the presentations proposed for the conference (usual caveat - subject to change without notice)
Numbers
Registrations continue to roll in, many via the online facility http://www.valbec.org.au/acalconf/onlinereg.html
Already we have over 170 registered for all or one day of the conference and nearly 100 for the forum. All the states as well as Northern Territory and the ACT are represented in registrations – truly a national conference, We’re also delighted to be welcoming several New Zealanders to enjoy Four Seasons in On Day.
Footy Season
The flavour of Melbourne in September is definitely football. Bruce Dawe wrote a delightful poem called ‘Life-cycle’ about growing up in football-mad Melbourne. See it at http://www.roadtosurfdom.com/surfdomarchives/001287.php We're into the footy semi-finals by September - Possible Dates: September 10, 11, 12 (if you wonder why we don’t know how many finals and where they’ll be played, I can’t help you. It’s an intricacy I haven’t bothered to learn.) Details http://www.afl.com.au

I dreamed that, as I wandered by the way,
Bare Winter suddenly was changed to Spring,
And gentle odours led my steps astray
Shelley

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2. Fine Print
Features in Spring edition of Fine Print (which is now in production)


Fine Print is only supplied to members and subscribers. Interested in membership or FP subscription? Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=Membership_Info> (no typing required!) and hit Send or send an e-mail with the words Membership Information Please in the subject line.
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3. VALBEC Professional Development
** Language Learning through Public Art with Ruth Woods and Lisa Fitt
Stir your students' imagination and encourage critical thinking through a foray into Melbourne's Public Art. A workshop suitable for Literacy and ESL teachers with a focus on using the concrete nature of art to teach a multi-level class.
Ruth has an art background, is currently the "Learning Communities Project Officer" with Yarra Ranges and has worked with adult students. Lisa is an ESL and Literacy teacher at Kew Neighbourhood House. They will show how Literacy through Public Art can be mapped against both Literacy and ESL Curriculum.
Friday August 27 1.30-3.30 pm at Diamond Valley Learning Centre, Diamond Creek Rd. (Cnr Diamond Creek & St Helena Rds) Greensborough
RSVP Jacinta Agostinelli 93042830, langlitcoord@glenlink.vic.edu.au

** One-to-one tutor development with Jan Phillips, Shepparton ACE
Making the most of volunteer tutors, hints on teaching, developing skills, getting good resources, watching health and safety, making the role rewarding for everyone.
Thursday 2 September, 1.15 pm (confirm time) part of the Regional Conference at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, Docker Street, Wangaratta
RSVP: Pat Grosse on 03 5762 4655 or grosse.patricia.p@edumail.vic.gov.au
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4. Other PD
** ARIS PD Semester 2 2004
The PD program for Semester 2 is now available on the ARIS website. Workshops include: How to develop non accredited course programs: Get ready, CGEA numeracy, VCAL literacy and much more. http://www.aris.com.au

** Brain Gym - A Workout for Teachers
Mary Nicholls is an experienced ESL teacher who has worked in the ACE sector. She is also a qualified Brain Gym Instructor. The Autumn Issue of Fine Print ran an article by Mary Nicholls outlining the benefits of doing Brain Gym in Adult Education Classes. Brain Gym is a system of movements which enhance brain function and whole brain learning. The beauty of this system is that students don't have to do the movements every day for specified times for their learning to improve. The movements can take 5-10 minutes of class time. Many teachers and students report improved learning after doing Brain Gym over a short period of time. Come and learn ways to use Brain Gym in your class to help your students learn more successfully. Please bring a bottle of water. There will be a $20 charge for teachers out of the ACFE Northern Metropolitan Region.
Wednesday October 13, 4-6pm at the Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 5 Nelson St Glenroy 93042830
RSVP: Jacinta Agostinelli langlitcoord@glenlink.vic.edu.au 93042830

** VATME Cultural Background Series – Sudan
ESL Resources and Games with Ater Nhial, Wendy Bort, Juliette Haggett
Target audience: Teachers of ESL students in Primary and Junior Secondary
Ater Nhial will speak on the cultural background of some of our more recent new arrivals from Sudan. Strategies used with students in class who are new to literacy learning will also be addressed. The discussion will be accompanied by excerpts of a video filmed in Wendy’s classroom which illustrate examples of these strategies in practice. A practical workshop will then introduce ESL resources and games suitable for students learning ESL.
Thursday 5th August 5.00-7.00pm at the Brunswick Business Incubator
Registration required
Fax 9940 1464 or email registration to vatme@vatme.vic.edu.au

** ‘Special Issues in Teaching Students with Disabilities’ Conference.
The Avenue Neighbourhood House, 48 Blackburn Road, Blackburn. See details in eVALBEC July 2004.
Friday August 27th 9.15am-2.45pm
Bookings essential. FREE activity funded by ACFE EMR.
Information and bookings Ph 03 98788056
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5. Strategic Dialogue Workshop - 12 July 2004
Current Issues and Future Vision for Further Education in ACE
Lynne Matheson attended this workshop on behalf of VALBEC along with other stakeholders and invited representatives of groups involved in ACE. Glenyse Frost gave an overview of the process and framework for consultations and ACFE board expectations. The short time frame for this initial stage is a big issue in terms of the accuracy and credibility of data relating to the identified student cohorts. David Booth spoke about the ABS quantitative data that will inform the study along with AVETMISS data and input from the Community Wellbeing research undertaken by Uni of QLD.
As many of you are aware the Region directors were asked to provide qualitative data based on a series of ‘big picture’ questions that were the same questions this workshop began discussing in the latter part of the 2 hour workshop. Time was short but the pertinent messages were conveyed in relation to funding formulas, pay and conditions of workers in ACE, the low profile of ACE, the implications of an ageing population in terms of students and workers.
These consultations are set to continue with the Resource Allocation and Funding sessions scheduled for Monday Aug 2, Ringwood, Tuesday Aug 3, Tatura, Thurs Aug 5, Ballarat.
We hope to keep a VALBEC presence in these sessions and encourage members to keep informed through their providers and regions.
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6. DEST Request for comments
The link below is to DEST Litnet page where there are 3 Discussion  Papers. DEST are anxious to publicise this information to the literacy field as they are seeking comments on the papers as part of the development of an action plan for adult literacy. Comments please! These papers will also be part of the NCVER Research Forum on September 9.
http://www.dest.gov.au/literacynet/conference.htm
Catherine Gyngell , Director , Adult Literacy Section
Phone: (02) 6240 9406 catherine.gyngell@dest.gov.au
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7. VALBEC committee meeting
The next VALBEC meeting will be held at 6.30 at the Royal Standard Hotel, West Melbourne on August 19, 2004. We will be discussing our Strategic directions for the next 2 years and welcome members to attend and have input. All VALBEC meetings are open to members.
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8. Vacancies on the ACFE Board
Three members are sought for the ACFE Board; closing date August 20. Details Ph 03 9637 2687 or http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au
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9. Unsubscribe?
Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=e-VALBEC_Unsubscribe> (no typing required!) and hit Send or send an e-mail with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.
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e-VALBEC is the occasional electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
E-mail: info@valbec.org.au
Web: http://www.valbec.org.au
Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
Ph: 03 9546 6892
Fax: 03 9546 0421