27 August 2021

Now in its 10th year, the 2021 VCE Transnational Conference was co-hosted by Thomas Carr College, Tarneit, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, Braybrook, and Firbank Grammar School.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Reimagine, Reposition and Reengage’. This was a fitting motto for the three-day event as, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the way in which the conference was delivered had to be reimagined.

Using a blended approach, the conference brought together 150 educators across two venues in Shanghai and Melbourne, and over 800 participants online.

The conference was opened by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education the Hon. James Merlino, and was supported by a range of educators, including the CEO of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Stephen Gniel.

‘This conference demonstrates the important education partnership between Victoria and China’, said Mr Merlino.

According to Tom Bridges, Head of International Partnerships at Thomas Carr College, the best part of the conference is ‘the friendships and connections you establish, as well as having the opportunity to collaborate and learn about both education systems’.

‘It’s great to see teachers connecting with mentors to improve their pedagogy’, said member of the planning committee, Paul Piperno.

The VCE Transnational Conference plays a significant role in bringing together teachers, mentors and students from across the network of 13 Chinese schools and three Victorian partner schools to share practice and expertise in the delivery of the VCE.