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SASTA Professional Learning For Middle & Secondary Years

Download the 2026 Professional Learning Calendar (PDF) to see what's on offer. Keep an eye on this page for event registrations when available.

Please note: If you require an invoice for school payment, please simply select Bank Transfer at the payment option during your booking. This will email you an invoice - please wait approximately 15 minutes for this to come through.

Cancellation policy: 

Notice of cancellation received more than 48 hours before the event will incur a standard $50 administration processing fee, any registration fees received in addition to this amount will be refunded. For cancellation notice received less than 48 hours before the event, registration fees unfortunately cannot be refunded. 

Should SASTA need to cancel or reschedule a professional learning event, then all registered delegates can opt either to receive a full refund or have their registration transferred to the rescheduled event.

Are you a SASTA Member? You can receive discounted / free professional learning!
 

Find out all the member services you could receive as part of the SASTA science community and join here

2026 MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series: Preparing Students for Online Exams

Presenter: Sarah Shoobridge, Scotch College

Intended audience: junior secondary (7-10),senior secondary (10-12)

As online assessments become increasingly common in schools, teachers play a crucial role in helping students navigate this shift with confidence. This practical session will explore strategies for preparing students for online exams, focusing on both technical readiness and cognitive skills. We'll cover how to build familiarity with digital platforms, manage time effectively in an online environment, and support students in developing typing stamina, digital literacy, and exam mindset. The session will also include tips for designing formative tasks that mirror online exam conditions, and how to reduce anxiety by embedding small habits into everyday learning. Whether you're supporting students through high-stakes assessments or low-pressure practice, this workshop will equip you with tools and approaches to set them and yourself up for success.

Details

Date:

Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Venue: Online

Bookings close: 04/06/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Membership - Business or Interstate School (1 day) $0.00
1st Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
2nd Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
Student Member (1 day) $0.00
Joint Member (1 day) $0.00
Life Member (1 day) $0.00
Retired Member (1 day) $0.00
Complimentary Member (1 day) $0.00

Description

Presenter: Sarah Shoobridge, Scotch College

Intended audience: junior secondary (7-10),senior secondary (10-12)

As online assessments become increasingly common in schools, teachers play a crucial role in helping students navigate this shift with confidence. This practical session will explore strategies for preparing students for online exams, focusing on both technical readiness and cognitive skills. We'll cover how to build familiarity with digital platforms, manage time effectively in an online environment, and support students in developing typing stamina, digital literacy, and exam mindset. The session will also include tips for designing formative tasks that mirror online exam conditions, and how to reduce anxiety by embedding small habits into everyday learning. Whether you're supporting students through high-stakes assessments or low-pressure practice, this workshop will equip you with tools and approaches to set them and yourself up for success.

  Book now

2026 Design and Deconstruct Workshop

Presenter: Jason Greenslade, Westminster School

This workshop is aimed at people who want to further their skills in setting, assessment and providing feedback on the D&D + practical report task. It also will cover the writing and marking of practical questions for tests and exams as well. There will be time to examine your own student work and participate in some cross-moderation and marking of work/drafts.

 "A range of resources and strategies provided which included different science subjects and it was a really good opportunity to network with educators from different fields."

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 10/06/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenter: Jason Greenslade, Westminster School

This workshop is aimed at people who want to further their skills in setting, assessment and providing feedback on the D&D + practical report task. It also will cover the writing and marking of practical questions for tests and exams as well. There will be time to examine your own student work and participate in some cross-moderation and marking of work/drafts.

 "A range of resources and strategies provided which included different science subjects and it was a really good opportunity to network with educators from different fields."

Program: 

Morning Session: The D&D Reporting Task

  • Performance Standards
  • Introducing + structuring the task (inc. ideas for D&Ds + tasks sheets + resources to help)
  • Providing guidance to students (drafting)
  • Marking and moderation

Afternoon Session: The task continued + experimental questions in tests/exams

  • Marking and moderation (cont.)
  • Types of experimental questions
  • Guiding students to answer these questions
  • Writing experimental questions –how to structure them

"This workshop is very good as it gives clarity on the task and provides efficient ways to support the students to achieve at their potential. As well as providing teachers with tools to make drafting and marking more efficient and consistent."

"Content presentation was wonderful! The presenter had extensive knowledge and was able to support staff discussions. He was able to answer any questions we had and had a significant amount of activities that had us completing tasks to support our practice!"

  Book now

2026 MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series: Ediacara in the Classroom: Bringing Fossils to Life

Presenter: Sarah Todd, Coromandel Valley Primary School & Miriam Doull, Mitcham Primary School

Intended audience: primary (R-6) teachers, junior secondary (7-10) teachers, senior secondary (11-12) teachers

The Flinders Ranges of South Australia contain some of the world’s most significant Ediacaran fossil sites and visible geological record from the Ediacaran to the Cambrian, providing a powerful context for teaching deep time, early life, and Australia’s contribution to global science.

This presentation showcases teaching resources developed by South Australian primary and secondary educators who participated in the SASTA scholarship program to visit the active research site, supported by the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation. Ranging from Years R- 10, the resources include hands-on fossil simulations, visual reconstructions of Ediacaran organisms, interactive timelines, and place-based learning materials linked to the Flinders Ranges and Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

Details

Date:

Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Venue: Online

Bookings close: 16/06/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Membership - Business or Interstate School (1 day) $0.00
1st Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
2nd Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
Student Member (1 day) $0.00
Joint Member (1 day) $0.00
Life Member (1 day) $0.00
Retired Member (1 day) $0.00
Complimentary Member (1 day) $0.00

Description

Presenter: Sarah Todd, Coromandel Valley Primary School & Miriam Doull, Mitcham Primary School

Intended audience: primary (R-6) teachers, junior secondary (7-10) teachers, senior secondary (11-12) teachers

The Flinders Ranges of South Australia contain some of the world’s most significant Ediacaran fossil sites and visible geological record from the Ediacaran to the Cambrian, providing a powerful context for teaching deep time, early life, and Australia’s contribution to global science.

This presentation showcases teaching resources developed by South Australian primary and secondary educators who participated in the SASTA scholarship program to visit the active research site, supported by the Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation. Ranging from Years R- 10, the resources include hands-on fossil simulations, visual reconstructions of Ediacaran organisms, interactive timelines, and place-based learning materials linked to the Flinders Ranges and Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

Approaches for differentiating content across primary and secondary settings are highlighted, as well as Science as a Human Endeavour in action at Nilpena. The resources can support teachers to make concepts such as deep time, fossilisation processes, adaptations of living things, and early ecosystems accessible and engaging.

By empowering teachers through professional learning grounded in a globally significant local site, this work demonstrates how place-based education can foster curiosity, scientific literacy, and stewardship of Australia’s unique geological and palaeontological heritage.

  Book now

2026 MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series: Digital Tools to Engage the Modern Learner

Presenter: Jakob Roth, Mercedes College

Intended audience: junior secondary (7-10)

Discover several free and simple digital tools that require minimal preparation time which can be used to supplement existing lessons which engage students and offer unique insights. OneNote as a learner management tool will be shared to showcase how it can be used to streamline lessons and help students stay organised. Several Lesson Starters will be shared that motivate students and practice fundamental skills. To generate interest and spark curiosity, Desmos Classroom can be used to guide students in all key concept areas. Formative assessment tools using Quizizz will be shared and how best to manage these tools effectively for improved student learning outcomes.

Details

Date:

Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Venue: Online

Bookings close: 28/07/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $0.00
Corporate Membership - Business or Interstate School (1 day) $0.00
1st Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
2nd Year of Teaching Member (1 day) $0.00
Student Member (1 day) $0.00
Joint Member (1 day) $0.00
Life Member (1 day) $0.00
Retired Member (1 day) $0.00
Complimentary Member (1 day) $0.00

Description

Presenter: Jakob Roth, Mercedes College

Intended audience: junior secondary (7-10)

Discover several free and simple digital tools that require minimal preparation time which can be used to supplement existing lessons which engage students and offer unique insights. OneNote as a learner management tool will be shared to showcase how it can be used to streamline lessons and help students stay organised. Several Lesson Starters will be shared that motivate students and practice fundamental skills. To generate interest and spark curiosity, Desmos Classroom can be used to guide students in all key concept areas. Formative assessment tools using Quizizz will be shared and how best to manage these tools effectively for improved student learning outcomes.

  Book now

2026 Stage 2 Psychology Marking & Moderation Workshop

Presenters: Emma Beukema, St Mary's College

Intended audience: Stage 2 Psychology teachers and Stage 1 Psychology teachers preparing students for Stage 2 Psychology next year.

This workshop will provide clarity for teachers around assessment standards for the Stage 2 Psychology Curriculum. There will be opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to Stage 2 work samples, as well as receiving invaluable professional input about their own student samples. This will be a fabulous opportunity for teachers to confirm, clarify, and readjust their own marking standards prior to sending work samples off for final moderation. 

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, including both short answer and extended response test-style questions, and assignments.

"This is was well structured and paced PD, that have cleared a lot of questions and concerns. Feel more confident! Thank you for sharing highly relevant resources." - 2025 attendee

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work of both Investigations Folio and Skills and Applications Tasks

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 20/08/2025

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
Retired member (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenters: Emma Beukema, St Mary's College

Intended audience: Stage 2 Psychology teachers and Stage 1 Psychology teachers preparing students for Stage 2 Psychology next year.

This workshop will provide clarity for teachers around assessment standards for the Stage 2 Psychology Curriculum. There will be opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to Stage 2 work samples, as well as receiving invaluable professional input about their own student samples. This will be a fabulous opportunity for teachers to confirm, clarify, and readjust their own marking standards prior to sending work samples off for final moderation. 

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, including both short answer and extended response test-style questions, and assignments.

"This is was well structured and paced PD, that have cleared a lot of questions and concerns. Feel more confident! Thank you for sharing highly relevant resources." - 2025 attendee

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work of both Investigations Folio and Skills and Applications Tasks

"Very engaging, especially moderating other samples from different schools and to get to see various ways of interpretation and misconception linked to the performance standards." - 2025 attendee

Program:

9.00am - Registration

9.15am – Understanding the Marking & Moderation Process

9.30am – Deconstruction and Design Investigations (Stage 2 work samples provided but please also bring samples from your own school)

11.00am - Morning Tea

11.30am – Science as a Human Endeavour (Stage 2 work samples provided but please also bring samples from your own school)

1.00pm - Lunch

1.30pm – SATs

2.30pm – Providing advice and support to students in preparation for the upcoming exam

3.00pm - Close

2026 Stage 2 Physics Marking & Moderation Workshop

This workshop is an opportunity to participate in moderating 2025 student work prior to external moderation. Teachers can prepare, discuss, and comparable judgements of their students' work across a range of grade boundaries in a professional environment with colleagues from other schools.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring complete or near complete portfolios of both Investigations and Skills and Application Tasks across a range of grade boundaries.

Presenter: Michael Smith

Intended audience: Physics teachers currently teaching Stage 2 Physics in 2026

"This was a very effective, collaborative and respectful session. Sharing resources and potential improvements is invaluable." - 2025 attendee

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 20/08/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
Retired member (1 day) $160.00

Description

This workshop is an opportunity to participate in moderating 2025 student work prior to external moderation. Teachers can prepare, discuss, and comparable judgements of their students' work across a range of grade boundaries in a professional environment with colleagues from other schools.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring complete or near complete portfolios of both Investigations and Skills and Application Tasks across a range of grade boundaries.

Presenter: Michael Smith

Intended audience: Physics teachers currently teaching Stage 2 Physics in 2026

"This was a very effective, collaborative and respectful session. Sharing resources and potential improvements is invaluable." - 2025 attendee

Program: 

9.00 am - Registration

9.15 am - Overview of the day

9.30 am – Investigations (SHE/Design and Deconstruction)

10.45 am - Morning Tea

11.00 am - SATs

12 noon - Mock moderation and benchmarking - recognising and confirming grade bands in samples

1.00 pm - Lunch

1.30 pm - Moderation (bring samples from your school)

2.45 pm - Questions

3.00 pm - Close

* Program may be subject to change

"Michael is a great presenter. He is clear about the demand of the SACE rubric." - 2025 attendee

  Book now

2026 7-10 Australian Curriculum Science Workshop: How can we design and assess differentiated tasks?

Presenter: Jason Greenslade, Westminster School

This session will only focus on Australian Curriculum 7-10 Science courses – these are so critical for making sure we are retaining students in Science in the senior years. It is essential that we equip students in these year levels with confidence and the skills needed to explain, analyse and be critical.

"Very relevant! There are aspects which I can implement into my teaching straight away." - 2024 attendee

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 26/08/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenter: Jason Greenslade, Westminster School

This session will only focus on Australian Curriculum 7-10 Science courses – these are so critical for making sure we are retaining students in Science in the senior years. It is essential that we equip students in these year levels with confidence and the skills needed to explain, analyse and be critical.

"Very relevant! There are aspects which I can implement into my teaching straight away." - 2024 attendee

We know that the profile of our middle school classes is also becoming more and more complex with a wide range of skills and learning needs.

This session aims to provide a framework (and plenty of practical examples) of the following:

  • How to design and assess via rubrics in AC 7-10 Science for assignment and practical work
  • How to design, structure and execute differentiated assessments in the 7-10 science classroom (+ examples!) – practicals and assignments!
  • 7-10 Scientific reports – what should we put in there? What is appropriate?
  • Moderation of student work and standard setting in each year level

The session will give you an opportunity to work on your own tasks, share with the group, moderate your own student work and engage in professional discussions about marking – so please bring plenty!

 

  Book now

2026 Stage 2 Biology Marking & Moderation Workshop

Presenter: Anne-Marie Taylor, Cardijn College

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, in particular short answer and extended response questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring complete or near complete portfolios of both Investigations and Skills and Application Tasks across a range of grade boundaries.

Intended audience: Stage 2 Biology teachers

"Anne-Marie was a very knowledgeable presenter. Well paced with many opportunities to share ideas/knowledge." - 2025 attendee

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 27/08/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenter: Anne-Marie Taylor, Cardijn College

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, in particular short answer and extended response questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring complete or near complete portfolios of both Investigations and Skills and Application Tasks across a range of grade boundaries.

Intended audience: Stage 2 Biology teachers

"Anne-Marie was a very knowledgeable presenter. Well paced with many opportunities to share ideas/knowledge." - 2025 attendee

Program: 

9.00am - Registration

9.15am - Overview of the performance standards

9.30am - Deconstruction and Design and Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE and SAT tasks)

10.45am - Morning Tea

11.00am - Mock moderation and benchmarking - recognising grade bands in samples

12noon - Lunch

12.30pm - Group marking exercise (bring your own near complete folio samples)

1.30pm - Marking exam-style questions (bring test samples from your school)

2.30pm - Questions

3.00pm - Close

* Program may be subject to change

  Book now

2026 Stage 2 Chemistry Marking & Moderation Workshop

Presenters: Peter Steel, Gleeson College

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, in particular short answer and extended response questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work.

Intended audience: Stage 2 Chemistry teachers

"The session was fantastic, and I felt as though I could ask all questions without judgement from others - it's a great way to network and gain understanding from a range of teachers (in terms of their experience and preferences)." - 2025 attendee

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 02/09/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
Retired Member (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenters: Peter Steel, Gleeson College

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the deconstruct and design task, science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, in particular short answer and extended response questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work.

Intended audience: Stage 2 Chemistry teachers

"The session was fantastic, and I felt as though I could ask all questions without judgement from others - it's a great way to network and gain understanding from a range of teachers (in terms of their experience and preferences)." - 2025 attendee

Program: 

9.00am - Registration

9.15am - Overview of the performance standards and Discussion of the alternative assessment programs (3/4 sats vs 2/3 Folio) 

9.30am - Deconstruction and Design and Science as a Human Endeavour

10.45am - Morning Tea

11.00am - Mock moderation and benchmarking - recognising grade bands in samples

12noon - Lunch

12.30pm - Group marking exercise (bring samples from your school)

1.30pm - Marking and writing exam style questions  (bring test samples from your school)

2.30pm - Questions

3.00pm - Close

* Program may be subject to change

  Book now

2026 Stage 2 Nutrition Marking & Moderation Workshop

Presenters: Lisa Cibich & Anna Kubilius

Intended audience: Stage 2 Nutrition teachers

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the design practical and science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, including the case study and in particular short answer and extended response test style questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work.

"This was an excellent workshop. The presenters were extremely knowledgeable with real experience in the subject. There was lots of practical suggestions to help with task design/marking, lots of sharing of ideas and resources and a really welcoming atmosphere. A really worthwhile day." - 2025 attendee

 

Details

Date:

Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm

Venue: Education Development Centre

Bookings close: 02/09/2026

Event Pricing

Type Regular price
Personal Member (1 day) $160.00
Joint Member (1 day) $160.00
Corporate Member - SA School (1 day) $205.00
Non-Member (1 day) $250.00
SASTA Student Member (1 day) $55.00
1st Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00
2nd Year of Teaching (1 day) $160.00

Description

Presenters: Lisa Cibich & Anna Kubilius

Intended audience: Stage 2 Nutrition teachers

An opportunity for teachers to discuss assessment and the application of the performance standards to samples of work, as well as to have invaluable professional input with their own student samples. An opportunity to readjust marking standards prior to final moderation.

Tasks that will be discussed include the design practical and science as a human endeavour investigation and marking of SATs, including the case study and in particular short answer and extended response test style questions, including SHE responses.

NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS:  Please bring examples of your own students' work.

"This was an excellent workshop. The presenters were extremely knowledgeable with real experience in the subject. There was lots of practical suggestions to help with task design/marking, lots of sharing of ideas and resources and a really welcoming atmosphere. A really worthwhile day." - 2025 attendee

 

Program: 

9.00am - Registration

9.15am - Overview of the performance standards

9.30am – Design Investigation, Case Study and Science as a Human Endeavour

10.30am – sharing of successful teaching, practical, excursion ideas

10.45am - Morning Tea

11.00am - Mock moderation and benchmarking - recognising grade bands in samples

12.30pm - Lunch

1pm - Group moderating exercise (bring student Folio and SAT samples from your school to moderate and confirm your grades)

2pm – Marking and creating exam/test-style questions (bring test samples from your school)

2.30pm - Questions

3.00pm - Close

* Program may be subject to change

  Book now