I love March because we have Harmony Day and International Women’s Day! Two great days where we can bring themes into the classroom. My favourite International Women’s Day poem (song) is Bread and Roses. Here's the link to Women of the World presents "Bread and Roses" - its origins are from the days of hard fought workers’ rights. It was featured in one of my all time favourite films as well Pride. I hope you’ve been enjoying our Union News section. Unions have supported our rights in this sector and strive to achieve pay parity across the different fields.
We have some interesting PD sessions coming up - I hope to see some of you there. Don’t forget, they are free for members and only $10.00 for non-members.
Linno Rhodes, 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 two issues per 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.
Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future
We are pleased to announce the VALBEC Conference 2026.
When: Friday, 15th May, 2026
Where: William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000
The conference will bring together adult literacy and numeracy practitioners, leaders and researchers to reflect on where we have come from and explore how we can shape future practice in a changing educational landscape.
We are also inviting expressions of interest from presenters. If you would like to share your practice, research or reflections aligned to the conference theme, we encourage you to consider presenting.
Further information about presentation formats and submission timelines will be shared shortly.
Call for Presentations: Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future
We invite adult educators to submit their presentation proposals around the theme of reflecting on the Past, Shapng the Future with relevance to adult literacy and numeracy education. Presentations should focus on stimulating thought and discussion around relevant issues and practices within various LLND contexts. More information to come shortly.
Podcast: Ologies with Alie Ward
Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD)
Part 1 encore with Russell Barkley (24 Dec 2025)
This very interesting podcast talks about how to understand ADHD treatment options. It also explains how ADHD brains work. This is so interesting as it explains ADHD in a very different way.
We’d love to hear from you - what do you like, what would you like to see more of and do you have any recommendations of people, places or things? Can you write a short review of your favourite relevant podcast/book/journal article/teaching practice?
A note when using digital technology
Investigating the various digital technologies to engage learners can be exciting, especially now with a growing pool of videos, apps, games and interactive digital sliders.
Here are five suggestions to consider when implementing digital technologies for student learning.
1. Be clear on your learning objectives
Sometimes using digital technologies when teaching can be stimulating, however care must be taken to not drift away from the desired learning goal.
2. Identify the purpose of the selected app, platform or digital activity
Consider questions such as:
Does this align with your learning objective?
How will using this particular technology enhance the learning experience?
3. Always model how to use the app or technology
Some adults may be considered as “digital natives” however, may be unaware of how to navigate a selected platform for a particular learning purpose.
4. Budget for extra time for students to access the technology
From laptop troubleshooting to navigating a new digital platform, technology may add unintentional time onto your activity.
5. Avoid using digital technology for the sake of it.
We’re surrounded by screens in our lives and should avoid using digital technology for the sole purpose of ‘fun’. Some tasks are best completed with sticky notes and tactile objects, often proving to be a refreshing break from the screen!
8th March International Women's Day
17th - 21st March Neurodiversity Celebration Week
19th March National 'Close the Gap' Day
21st March International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Harmony Day)
Learn Locals are operating on a business-as-usual basis in 2026 as the Stronger By Design review is underway. This has given Learn Locals time to consolidate and return focus to their local community learning needs.
Changes to staffing within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions include the departure of Joanne Favretto, Acting Director - ACFE Unit. Jo made a significant impact within the adult and community education sector.
The ACFE Board is supporting Learn Locals with the Learner and Program Sustainability Grant which is a welcome initiative.
Neighbourhood Houses who are Learn Locals are participating in the “Keep Our Doors Open” campaign with a recent rally held at Parliament House attracting a large crowd.
Our NTEU ACE Branch President, Jack Boddeke, has recently moved on from the ACE sector and has had to stand down from his executive role. Many thanks to Jack for his advocacy for the rights and conditions of workers in our sector. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. No doubt, other sectors will now benefit from his activism and commitment.
In further news, our NTEU Industrial Organiser, Garry Ryan, is moving on to new pastures too. Janet Bourke, who many will know, will be returning as Industrial Organiser for the ACE Branch in late February. Many thanks to Garry for his tireless industrial work for our sector and for our colleagues in TAFE and Higher Education.
With the vacancy in the Branch President role, it is critically important that we replenish the executive to future-proof the branch this year. We strongly urge you to step forward and nominate for an executive position when elections are called. The time commitment is quite manageable, you will learn new skills and you will build relationships firmly grounded in solidarity and commitment to protecting and advancing the rights and condition of the ACE workforce, and by extension, strengthening this important education sector. Reach out if you want to discuss.
Last year we conducted a survey of all branch members. A common theme of the respondents was inequality of wages between positions with similar functions and responsibilities. Two forms of such wage inequality were identified (1) between ACE and adjacent sectors e.g. TAFE; (2) between SCHCADS and ESPSE positions within ACE providers. We have readily available data on the first which can be used in the next bargaining period. We are asking members and future members to advise us of any instances of the second. All information provided will be treated confidentially. We are just gathering information to gauge the extent of the issue at this stage.
If you have not yet joined up, you can do so easily by going to https://www.nteu.au/ and clicking on the purple “Join” button in the top right corner.
Your NTEU ACE Branch Executive contact is Bill Daly (Secretary)
Email: bdaly@nteu.org.au Phone 0431 075 534.
Suzanne Derham, Secretary of Valbec, Teacher Foundation College
I have dedicated over 20 years to teaching Work Education at Chisholm TAFE, focusing on students with mild intellectual disabilities. My primary goal is to help all students achieve the best possible outcomes in literacy, numeracy, and employability skills, fostering their ability to integrate into the community and develop a lifelong love for learning.
I strive to understand students' cognitive challenges and to find the tools to help students succeed.
My commitment to supporting students with additional needs is at the heart of her teaching philosophy. I am currently listening to a Podcast called Ologies: see resources section.
Sue
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