Getting to December gives us time to reflect on the year that has passed and the year to come. As the president of VALBEC, reporting at the end of the year is one of my duties, and what a fantastic way of looking at what we have achieved over 2024.
Over the course of the year, we had almost 400 register and attend our professional learning sessions and conference (not including those who viewed the recordings afterwards). With sessions like “Maths in the VET Sector” (by Chris Tully) and "Teaching adult beginner learners to read and spell" (by Anna Fishley), we’ve continued to build the literacy and numeracy skills of our members, while tackling other issues such as AI and soft skills education. What I love about the offering this year is that we remained true to the central part of literacy education, while pushing further to question the role of the teacher, the importance of student-centred practice and the impact of policy on what we do.
We have had some change this year, with Deryn moving away from her commissioning editor role at Fine Print and us employing Nathan Scolaro mid-November. Having worked so closely with Deryn I am saddened to see her go, but completely understand that it is the time for that to happen. I’m glad to report that she is looking to stay on as a Fine Print committee member, which is great to hear. Deryn, I want to sincerely thank you for everything you have achieved as the commissioning editor of Fine Print. Your passion, keen eye for detail and general grit has been infectious and appreciated. And a sincere welcome to Nathan! I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do as the months progress.
I want to also thank the committee for yet another successful year. Everyone on the committee is passionate about equity in education, and I am proud to have worked with you all in 2024.
Last, but absolutely not least, thank you to our membership base. Your word of mouth and continual discussion has led to the success that VALBEC has experienced this year. I’m looking forward to driving this further into 2025. And as you reflect on 2024, remember why we do this job. Remember the students whose lives we change everyday, whether that be in a student facing role, a professional or support role or as a retired person who engages with the occasional webinar. We collectively make a difference to so many people, and inch closer to educational equity everyday. Until next year, have a safe and wonderful end of year, and I’ll see you for 2025.
Liam Frost-Camilleri, VALBEC President
VALBEC Membership
You can join or renew online.
https://valbec.org.au/membership/
If you join in August, September or October, deduct 50%. Renewal falls due the following February.
Members receive:
- Fine Print three times a year – a high quality journal for discussion and debate about good practice, theory and policy issues. Feedback and contributions are actively sought from members about content and issues.
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eVALBEC – our e-mail communication keeping members informed of professional development activities, general committee activities and more up to date policy changes.
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Discounts for the Annual Conference and other VALBEC statewide professional development.
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Issues-based forums.
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Focus on significant policy issues impacting on the field.
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Free numeracy resources.
The annual ACAL national conference will be held in Melbourne, with the support of local host VALBEC. The conference will take place on
Thursday afternoon, September 4 and all day Friday, September 5, 2025.
The conference - ‘Inclusion, empowerment, employment: Literacies for a dynamic future’ - will explore the role of literacy in empowering adults, fostering inclusion, and increasing wellbeing. Through a variety of presentations and networking opportunities, delegates will have the opportunity to consider literacies in a range of contexts, including personal, community, study and work environments.
Call for Presentations
We are delighted to invite presentations in various session modes. The modes are
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Practical workshops
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Panels
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Practice Tasters
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Individual Papers
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Posters (New)
It’s a chance to get on your hobby horse, boast about your recent development or dig into ideas.
Sponsorship and displays
Here's a great opportunity to put your services and products in front of practitioners, at the conference and also well beforehand.
There’s everything from a table display to major sponsorship - check out the wide range of possibilities to suit diverse organisations.
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Adult Literacy and Numeracy teaching course
Charles Sturt University is the only university in Australia offering the Grad Cert in Adult and Vocational Education or the Grad Dip in Adult and Vocational Education. These courses include subjects in adult literacy and numeracy teaching, and is fully online. There have been an additional 35 funded places offered for 2025.
https://study.csu.edu.au/information-for/postgraduate-students/csp-courses
Literacy Face to Face
Written for volunteer tutors, but with useful practical ideas for classroom teachers also. Covers areas such as Assessing your student’s needs and progress; Does your student have a disability?; Is your student from an non-English Speaking background?; Everyday numeracy; Getting started on the computer.
Fine Print issue 2/2024 is now out and in your letter boxes! We have had a big year, with a change in editor from Deryn to Nathan. Nathan comes to FP with a wealth of experience and a passion for working in the community. We look forward to working with him. As always, we welcome your ideas. We particularly welcome you as a contributor - we can work with you to share your passion for teaching into an article of interest to other teachers / practitioners. To continue receiving FP in your letterbox, remember to re-subscribe to valbec!
Have a safe and lovely summer, from the FP team.
The current CGEA curriculum is accredited to be delivered until June 2025. The curriculum maintenance managers, Nadia Casarotto and Mandy Penton, are currently working on the Implementation Guide and are interested in hearing from practitioners with ideas of implementation or questions to be added to the FAQs page.
General Studies and Further Education enquiries:
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Mandy Penton & Nadia Casarotto: sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au
The new version of the CGEA should be rolled out in July 2025.
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December 1 - World Aids Day
- An IDPWD Conversation – Community Attitudes in Moonee Valley Join us for this special International Day of People with Disability Event with activities for all ages and abilities. Enjoy films from the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival and join the conversation about attitudes towards disability in our community. Register here
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December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
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December 10 - Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Careers
Are you interested in a career at Prace?
We are happy to take expressions of interest throughout the year.
Current job opportunities
https://prace.vic.edu.au/
ACFE - The Adult, Community and Further Education Board's role is to plan and promote adult learning, allocate resources, develop policies and advise the Minister for Skills and TAFE on matters related to adult education in Victoria.It is lead by the chairperson, Dr Teresa De Fazio.
Dr Teresa De Fazio OAM (MAICD) – ACFE Board Chairperson
Dr Teresa De Fazio OAM has extensive experience as a former academic and researcher in the fields of education, leadership, inclusion and equity. She has a strong research and publications profile which reflects her interests in areas such as inclusive educational and leadership practices, curriculum development and student retention. Her own lived and professional experiences provide her with a strong passion for ensuring equitable and quality educational opportunities are accessible to all.
NTEU - covers ACE and TAFE
Join your union here: https://www.nteu.au/bargaining/TAFE?hkey=44aa2ead-bd5f-498e-8a19-bb285b7f09bd
eVALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council and is sent to about 1000 practitioners on the first of each month (other than January). It is also available in the ‘News’ section of our web site
Disclaimer:
The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not endorsed by Valbec in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability of each item.
How to submit items: https://www.valbec.org.au/evalbec