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SASTA Professional Learning
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.
Kate Dilger's Farewell Drinks
Celebrate Kate Dilger’s Retirement
After 40 years in science education – 27 as a teacher and 13 at SASTA – Kate Dilger is retiring.
We invite all who have worked with Kate throughout her inspiring career to join us in celebrating her contribution to science education in South Australia.
Come along to share stories, reconnect with colleagues and wish Kate well for her next adventure.
Details
Date:
Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Venue: Mile End Hotel
Bookings close: 03/12/2025
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $0.00 |
| Corporate Member - SA 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 |
| Corporate Membership - Business or Interstate School (1 day) | $0.00 |
| Non Member (1 day) | $0.00 |
Description
Celebrate Kate Dilger’s Retirement
After 40 years in science education – 27 as a teacher and 13 at SASTA – Kate Dilger is retiring.
We invite all who have worked with Kate throughout her inspiring career to join us in celebrating her contribution to science education in South Australia.
Come along to share stories, reconnect with colleagues and wish Kate well for her next adventure.
2026 Practical and Laboratory Work: Building Capacity and Confidence Workshop
In this workshop attendees will look at a variety of themes which concern early career and pre-service teachers with regarding to successful planning and execution of laboratory practical sessions. Teachers will be guided through a typical laboratory lesson including the planning of the lesson, safety concerns, equipment use and managing risk whilst students are working.
There will be a session during the day where experienced lab technicians will be on hand for Q + A.
Topics covered will include:
- Safety equipment and risk assessments
- Skill building in specific areas – eg. microscopes, burners, chemicals, spectrometers, electrophoretic equipment
- Datalogging and using dataloggers
- Setting up effective and practical laboratory spaces
- Making effective use of laboratory staff + Q and A from lab staff
- What to do when – glass breakage, acid spills, fires, burns
- Planning for and ordering practicals
- Lab work + demonstrations – how to run (this will be taught practically!)
- Running multiple practicals in one classroom – how to manage design practicals (+order them effectively)
A range of resources will be provided to assist you in running a range of practicals in which your students learn essential skills in a safe and fun manner!
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm
Venue: Westminster School
Bookings close: 13/01/2026
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Joint Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 1st Year of Teaching (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 2nd Year of Teaching (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 |
Description
In this workshop attendees will look at a variety of themes which concern early career and pre-service teachers with regarding to successful planning and execution of laboratory practical sessions. Teachers will be guided through a typical laboratory lesson including the planning of the lesson, safety concerns, equipment use and managing risk whilst students are working.
There will be a session during the day where experienced lab technicians will be on hand for Q + A.
Topics covered will include:
- Safety equipment and risk assessments
- Skill building in specific areas – eg. microscopes, burners, chemicals, spectrometers, electrophoretic equipment
- Datalogging and using dataloggers
- Setting up effective and practical laboratory spaces
- Making effective use of laboratory staff + Q and A from lab staff
- What to do when – glass breakage, acid spills, fires, burns
- Planning for and ordering practicals
- Lab work + demonstrations – how to run (this will be taught practically!)
- Running multiple practicals in one classroom – how to manage design practicals (+order them effectively)
A range of resources will be provided to assist you in running a range of practicals in which your students learn essential skills in a safe and fun manner!
2026 Psychology Summer Conference
Download the full Program here.
Scroll down and click 'book now' to register!
16 January 2026 | Education Development Centre
Convenors: Matthew Little & Lauren Scarfe
Keynote Address: Bill Hansbury
Bill Hansberry is a Director of Fullarton House, Assessment, Therapy and Teaching, Hansberry Educational Consulting and Playberry Laser. A former schoolteacher, Bill holds a Master’s Degree in School Counselling and has spent the last 20 years in private practice, supporting students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
Bill is a co-developer of the Playberry T3 Multisensory Literacy Program and its more recent Tier 1-2 offshoots, the Playberry Laser T1-2 Literacy Program, which is used in over 100 schools across Australia. Bill is internationally published in the areas of Restorative Practices in schools, behaviour management and parenting, and trains schools in both behaviour management and in evidence-based literacy and reading intervention.
In this keynote address, we will explore the impact of cognitive psychology on classroom teaching and how all students (whether neurotypical or neurodivergent) learn through the same cognitive mechanisms that are governed by human cognitive architecture. Bill will explain that what differs is the efficiency and rate of learning, not the process itself, and that teaching practices informed by an understanding of human cognitive architecture optimise learning for all students, especially those with specific learning disabilities.
Neurodiversity does not rewrite the cognitive code of learning—it reveals it.
Full session descriptions can be found by downloading the program or clicking on 'available sessions' below.
Details
Date:
Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 13/01/2026
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Joint Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 1st Year of Teaching (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 2nd Year of Teaching (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 |
| Retired Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
Description
Download the full Program here.
Scroll down and click 'book now' to register!
16 January 2026 | Education Development Centre
Convenors: Matthew Little & Lauren Scarfe
Keynote Address: Bill Hansbury
Bill Hansberry is a Director of Fullarton House, Assessment, Therapy and Teaching, Hansberry Educational Consulting and Playberry Laser. A former schoolteacher, Bill holds a Master’s Degree in School Counselling and has spent the last 20 years in private practice, supporting students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
Bill is a co-developer of the Playberry T3 Multisensory Literacy Program and its more recent Tier 1-2 offshoots, the Playberry Laser T1-2 Literacy Program, which is used in over 100 schools across Australia. Bill is internationally published in the areas of Restorative Practices in schools, behaviour management and parenting, and trains schools in both behaviour management and in evidence-based literacy and reading intervention.
In this keynote address, we will explore the impact of cognitive psychology on classroom teaching and how all students (whether neurotypical or neurodivergent) learn through the same cognitive mechanisms that are governed by human cognitive architecture. Bill will explain that what differs is the efficiency and rate of learning, not the process itself, and that teaching practices informed by an understanding of human cognitive architecture optimise learning for all students, especially those with specific learning disabilities.
Neurodiversity does not rewrite the cognitive code of learning—it reveals it.
Full session descriptions can be found by downloading the program or clicking on 'available sessions' below.
2026 Teachers New to SACE Stage 2 Physics Workshop
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Physics and current teachers seeking guidance that have not taught the Physics course recently.
"The workshop was very informative and helpful in improving the teaching and assessment of Stage 2 Physics"
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 04/02/2026
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
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Physics and current teachers seeking guidance that have not taught the Physics course recently.
"The workshop was very informative and helpful in improving the teaching and assessment of Stage 2 Physics"
Program Outline:
This professional development session will cover:
- Course requirements and planning
- SACE submission requirements
- Using the performance standards appropriately
- Advice and practice on writing quality assessments
In addition, participants are invited to collaborate, share resources, and develop networks that will assist in early-career teaching.
Key Topics:
- Overview of the course
- Using the subject outline in teaching
- Planning and assessment
- Assessment types
- Developing a LAP
- Good investigations
- Developing SATs
- Formative / Demonstration activities
- Other resources
- Planning the year
- Sample tasks and discussion
- Have some prepared to discuss
- Assessing and using the performance standards
- Science Inquiry Skills / SHE assessments
- Examination preparation
- Moderation
- What is required
- Planning and organisation
"Everything we covered was directly useful to me as a new Stage 2 teacher."
"Very helpful in answering a lot of my questions about how to teach this year. Feeling a lot more prepared and aware of expectations."
2026 Teachers New to SACE Stage 2 Biology Workshop
Presenter: Andrew Sayers (Henley High School)
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Biology and current teachers seeking guidance for the new course.
"Very experienced and great leadership in helping new teachers be prepared for the obvious nuances in teaching SACE biology. The specific features from the subject outline and advice on managing assessment was great."
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 04/02/2026
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Joint Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Corporate Membership - 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 |
| Corporate Member - Business or Interstate school (1 day) | $205.00 |
| Retired Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
Description
Presenter: Andrew Sayers (Henley High School)
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Biology and current teachers seeking guidance for the new course.
"Very experienced and great leadership in helping new teachers be prepared for the obvious nuances in teaching SACE biology. The specific features from the subject outline and advice on managing assessment was great."
Please see detailled program HERE.
2026 Teachers New to SACE Stage 2 Chemistry Workshop
Presenter: Vera Dunaiski, Westminster School
Teachers new to SACE Stage 2 Chemistry provides an overview, and guidance offered for planning, assessment and task design. Participants will be given the opportunity to share and discuss ideas, tasks and other resources.
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Chemistry.
Vera Dunaiski is a highly respected educator at Westminster School and a leader in Stage 2 Chemistry professional learning. With a background as a post-doctoral research fellow, Vera transitioned into teaching to share her passion for science and support student learning. As both a SACE Chemistry marker and moderator, she brings a deep understanding of assessment and curriculum.
Vera is the author and editor of the SASTA Chemistry Study Guide and has delivered highly regarded workshops on SACE Chemistry Practicals. She is passionate about creating meaningful assessment tasks that foster student agency and critical thinking, always striving to develop fresh and engaging investigations.
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 11/02/2026
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Joint Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Corporate Membership - 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: Vera Dunaiski, Westminster School
Teachers new to SACE Stage 2 Chemistry provides an overview, and guidance offered for planning, assessment and task design. Participants will be given the opportunity to share and discuss ideas, tasks and other resources.
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 2 Chemistry.
Vera Dunaiski is a highly respected educator at Westminster School and a leader in Stage 2 Chemistry professional learning. With a background as a post-doctoral research fellow, Vera transitioned into teaching to share her passion for science and support student learning. As both a SACE Chemistry marker and moderator, she brings a deep understanding of assessment and curriculum.
Vera is the author and editor of the SASTA Chemistry Study Guide and has delivered highly regarded workshops on SACE Chemistry Practicals. She is passionate about creating meaningful assessment tasks that foster student agency and critical thinking, always striving to develop fresh and engaging investigations.
2026 Teachers New to Stage 1 and Stage 2 Nutrition Workshop
Presenter: Elizabeth Arthur (Nazareth College)
Intended Audience: Stage 1 and 2 teachers new to Nutrition
This session will provide an introduction to Stage 1 and Stage 2 Nutrition covering content, resources, assessment and SACE requirements.
"A great workshop to network with other Nutrition teachers, gain valuable advice, tips, resources and sharing of tasks. It gives me the confidence to know what to do and that I am on the right track with my Nutrition students"
"Was excellent thank you, very thorough and presenter was very helpful."
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 11/02/2026
Event Pricing
| Type | Regular price |
|---|---|
| Personal Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| Joint Member (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 1st Year of Teaching (1 day) | $160.00 |
| 2nd Year of Teaching (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 |
Description
Presenter: Elizabeth Arthur (Nazareth College)
Intended Audience: Stage 1 and 2 teachers new to Nutrition
This session will provide an introduction to Stage 1 and Stage 2 Nutrition covering content, resources, assessment and SACE requirements.
"A great workshop to network with other Nutrition teachers, gain valuable advice, tips, resources and sharing of tasks. It gives me the confidence to know what to do and that I am on the right track with my Nutrition students"
"Was excellent thank you, very thorough and presenter was very helpful."
This workshop will give teachers new to teaching SACE Nutrition an opportunity to meet and network with fellow new teachers. The workshop will provide practical information for planning in Stage 1 and Stage 2 and an overview of the topics as well as examples and discussion around assessment tasks.
Program:
SUBJECT OUTLINES
Stage 1 Subject Outline
- Topics
(left hand column vs right hand column)
- How do these topics link to Stage 2
- Ideas for teaching
Stage 2 Subject Outline
- Topics
ASSESSMENT
Assessment requirements Stage 1 vs Stage 2
- Folio: prac and SHE
- SATs: task or case study
Performance Standards
Assessment tasks Stage 1 vs Stage 2
Science Inquiry Skills
+ Practical ideas
+ errors discussion
+ moderation
SHE
+ exemplar
+ writing a SHE test question
Case Study
+ exemplar
+ what it might look like in the exam
Test
+ writing good test questions
Examination – what to expect
2026 MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series: Running the Room - How to Manage Behaviour in the Labs
Presenter: Oliwia Derda and Daniel Mawhinney, St Columba College
Creating a calm, respectful, and productive learning environment is essential for every classroom, but in the science lab, where safety and engagement go hand in hand, managing behaviour becomes even more critical.
In this workshop, we draw on our collective experiences to explore how effective behaviour management underpins great science learning. Labs present unique challenges and opportunities, and we will explore how consistent routines, clear expectations, and proactive teacher presence support both safety and student engagement.
We will unpack the idea that “behaviour is a curriculum”, something that must be explicitly taught, reinforced, and modelled, and examine how this concept plays out in a science classroom. From the first moment students enter the lab, how we establish norms, respond to disruption, and maintain focus has a direct impact on learning outcomes.
Together, we will explore ready-to-implement strategies, setting up lab expectations, and de-escalation tools and techniques for resetting class culture. This session offers practical tools, shared expertise, and the opportunity to refine your approach to managing behaviours in the labs.
Details
Date:
Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Venue: Online
Bookings close: 18/02/2026
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: Oliwia Derda and Daniel Mawhinney, St Columba College
Creating a calm, respectful, and productive learning environment is essential for every classroom, but in the science lab, where safety and engagement go hand in hand, managing behaviour becomes even more critical.
In this workshop, we draw on our collective experiences to explore how effective behaviour management underpins great science learning. Labs present unique challenges and opportunities, and we will explore how consistent routines, clear expectations, and proactive teacher presence support both safety and student engagement.
We will unpack the idea that “behaviour is a curriculum”, something that must be explicitly taught, reinforced, and modelled, and examine how this concept plays out in a science classroom. From the first moment students enter the lab, how we establish norms, respond to disruption, and maintain focus has a direct impact on learning outcomes.
Together, we will explore ready-to-implement strategies, setting up lab expectations, and de-escalation tools and techniques for resetting class culture. This session offers practical tools, shared expertise, and the opportunity to refine your approach to managing behaviours in the labs.
2026 Teachers New to SACE Stage 1 & 2 Psychology Workshop
Presenter: Emma Beukema
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 1 & 2 Psychology.
This session will provide an introduction to Stage 1 and Stage 2 Psychology covering content, resources, assessment and SACE requirements.
"A very valuable session. Presenters were great. Very much appreciated the sharing of resources and the information."
"Amazing variety of super useful resources. Expert presenters who are clearly passionate about what they do."
Details
Date:
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Education Development Centre
Bookings close: 18/02/2026
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: Emma Beukema
Intended Audience: For teachers new to Stage 1 & 2 Psychology.
This session will provide an introduction to Stage 1 and Stage 2 Psychology covering content, resources, assessment and SACE requirements.
"A very valuable session. Presenters were great. Very much appreciated the sharing of resources and the information."
"Amazing variety of super useful resources. Expert presenters who are clearly passionate about what they do."
2026 MEMBERS FREE Webinar Series: How to teach Science in composite classrooms
Presenter: Liz Gehling, Ardtornish Primary School
Intended audience: primary (R-6) teachers
This webinar will present strategies for teaching composite classes across a site, backed by classroom-tested examples. Participants will also receive resources designed to assist in implementing these approaches within their own educational sites.
Details
Date:
Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Venue: Online
Bookings close: 03/03/2026
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: Liz Gehling, Ardtornish Primary School
Intended audience: primary (R-6) teachers
This webinar will present strategies for teaching composite classes across a site, backed by classroom-tested examples. Participants will also receive resources designed to assist in implementing these approaches within their own educational sites.