Victorian Institute of Teaching

Today, we came together to mark National Reconciliation Week. We reflected on our shared histories and the role each of us plays in building a more inclusive Australia.

We were honoured to hear from our guest speakers:

- Angela Singh, Deputy Secretary First Nations Policy at Department of Education
- Helena Plazzer, Programs Manager for Outreach at Reconciliation Australia

Angela and Helena shared powerful insights on what reconciliation means and how respectful relationships can be built through our everyday work and community connections.

Thank you to our amazing staff for joining us this morning. Your willingness to listen, learn and commit to meaningful action is an important step in strengthening understanding and respect.

🎬And that's a wrap!

Our team has thoroughly enjoyed the past two days meeting and connecting with school leaders from across Victoria at the 2026 Government Schools Principals Conference.

📣Such a worthwhile event hearing from some of the most regarded speakers and knowledgeable leaders in education, plus the opportunity to present on the contemporary topics that matter in teacher registration is invaluable.

We're blown away by the conversations and participation from many school leaders and keen to collaborate on the issues that are impacting them the most.

Thanks again for having us, we'll certainly be back next year ✌️

Scenes from this morning at the Government Schools Principals Conference.

It’s been great to see strong engagement across sessions and workshops today. Thoughtful conversations are underway, with plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the sector.

We’re enjoying the insights shared so far and look forward to more conversations throughout the day.

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership

National Reconciliation Week 2026 (27 May – 3 June) is here!

It's a time for all of us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, reflect on how we can contribute to reconciliation and do something about it.

This year’s theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation is not passive - it requires commitment from every one of us. Together, we can help create safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners.

Read more about National Reconciliation Week 2026 and how you can get involved: https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/news/national-reconciliation-week-2026

From Sorry to Action

Today on National Sorry Day, we recognise the ongoing impacts of the Stolen Generations and the importance of truth-telling.

Each year, 26 May commemorates the landmark 'Bringing them home' report and acknowledges the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families between the mid-1800s and 1980s. The report shared this history with the nation and made wide-ranging recommendations to address the enormous harm caused to Stolen Generations survivors and their families.

However 29 years later, many of these crucial actions have not been taken. Many survivors have been lost over the decades since the report, and time is running out for those who are left to see justice. Sorry matters - but action is what creates justice and healing.

This year’s theme calls on all of us to move beyond words and take action - supporting survivors through:

• culturally safe health, aged care and healing services
• access to personal and historical records
• fair and consistent redress

Learn more about National Sorry Day, and understand how we all can play a role in reconciliation via The Healing Foundation website https://healingfoundation.org.au/

Join us in honouring and recognising the contributions of First Nations service men and women at the 2026 Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.

📍 Shrine of Remembrance
🗓 Sunday 31 May
⏰ 11:00 am

This important annual service acknowledges the courage, service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.

Let’s take the time to remember, reflect and pay our respects.

📢 Now available: our latest Principal and Early Childhood circulars.

Including practical guidance for employing graduates, it's also packed with insights on child safety initiatives and professional learning opportunities - designed to support you and your teams. And don't forget to access the employer resources!

- Early Childhood (EC) Circular: http://view.email.vit.vic.edu.au/?vawpToken=YFXYJ463PWHUPNAXIS5EQD7OCE.110052

- Principal Circular: http://view.email.vit.vic.edu.au/?vawpToken=OQAXSD5JSJHU3NYLHOCH6UYIWI.110056

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 - 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆?

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲
🗓 Thursday 28 May | ⏰ 3:20pm – 4:30pm

At the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, join us for a practical, insight-driven session tackling one of the biggest challenges facing school leaders today.

✨ Hear real stories from teachers and principals.
✨ Learn what actually works in mentoring and induction.
✨ Discover how to better support overseas qualified and returning teachers.
✨ Gain strategies to build stronger, more inclusive school communities.

This is about creating a workforce that is not just larger - but 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

👉 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.

https://www.vicprincipalsconference.com.au/event/6209f621-1b53-4c15-b0da-3cf9870da19f/register