Welcome to a new year of Professional Development through VALBEC!
I have become President since late December when our esteemed VALBEC President stepped down for personal and professional reasons. Our committee were very grateful for all of Liam’s efforts to lead our committee and wish him well for his future work and study.
I have been a long-term member of Valbec and served on the general committee for several years. I became Vice President in May 2024 after our conference. I have been involved in the adult literacy field in many diverse roles. I have been a Learning Support teacher at TAFE, as well as teaching the TAE LLN Certificate IV and Diploma units for many organisations. My work history also involved working in Industry for Master Builders Assoc in Victoria and NECA supporting electrical apprentices. I have been a teacher for several TAFES across Melbourne, always gaining keen industry insights. I worked in many neighbourhood houses at a grass roots level so I have been able to appreciate where adult literacy needs exist across different learning environments.
Our Professional Learning sessions are underway and later this month Liam will return to run a session on assisting diverse learners. He will have a wealth of experience to share with you.
We have some wonderful PL sessions being planned so look at what’s coming up that will enhance your skills and knowledge. Manjit does a great job putting together a range of PL sessions in different skill areas. Its always great to hear about new suggestions for PL sessions so don’t be shy and contact us if you have some great ideas or contacts.
Deborah Mullan, 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 calm within the storm: Vocational research insights that foster student well-being
A VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Educational Council) Professional Learning session presented by Liam Frost-Camilleri.
This presentation shares the findings of Liam's PhD research exploring how second chance education teachers support student reengagement. Building on the work of Savelsberg et al. (2017) and Thomas & Dyment (2019), the research highlights the importance of creating an inclusive, supportive, and student-centred learning environment for diverse and non-traditional students.
Findings show that these VCE VM teachers are emotional anchors in these classrooms, prioritising relationships, authenticity, and well-being over traditional rigid curriculum demands. Drawing on inquiry-based methodology and semi-structured interviews, Liam's research demonstrates how flexibility and community connections are central to re-engaging learners and creating meaningful educational pathways (Murray & Mitchell, 2016).
This session will outline how these findings can inform practices across the VET sector, offering practical insights into building safe and inclusive spaces that support diverse learners. It will also explore the broader implications for policy and professional practice within vocational education.
Liam is currently completing his PhD in reengagement pedagogies within second-chance education. He continues to research vocational education, educational equity, and neurodivergence. Liam holds an Academic position in the Institute of Education, Arts, and Community at Federation University, where he teaches in the Foundation Access Studies (FAST) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) programs. An early-career researcher and recipient of NAEEA’s 2024 National Teaching Excellence Award, Liam is a passionate educator who embraces new challenges and experiences as he continues to refine his skills.
We look forward to seeing you there.
VALBEC PL Forums Team
Who: Liam Frost-Camilleri
When: Thursday, 20th February 2025, 5.30-6.30 pm AEST
Where: Zoom
Cost: VALBEC Members Free; non-Members $10
Register here: https://valbec.org.au/event-6042828
ADCET Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
The University of Sydney and Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) are pleased to announce that registrations are now open for the upcoming one-and-a-half-day Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025.
Read more: https://www.adcet.edu.au/inclusive-teaching/universal-design-for-learning/udl-symposium-2025
Puzzlemaker
Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more - using your own word lists.
https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/
Free writing prompts
Creative, non-fiction, and persuasive writing prompts.
https://www.freewritingprompts.net/
Welcome to 2025 - we have our new editor on board and the editorial team are making calls, sending emails and trawling through conference programs looking for presentations to convert into exciting reading matter for edition 1/2025. A big welcome to our new editor, Nathan Scolaro. We are looking forward to working with you. A warm welcome also, to our new editorial team member Callista Dinelli from Melbourne Poly. We have said farewell to Di Buckley and we thank her for her valued contribution to Fine Print.
The first issue is due out in May-June, so if you have anything you’d like to share with us about an article you’d like to read OR write, please get in touch: fineprint@valbec.org.au
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