HomeProfessional LearningFor Middle & Secondary Years
Professional Learning
For Middle & Secondary Years
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: Unlock AI's transformative power in your school
Presenter: Chris Bush, AI for Education Expert
In this webinar, AI expert and Leading Teacher Chris Bush will teach you how to harness ChatGPT and AI for revolutionary results. You’ll learn how to use AI for planning, assessment, marking, and more. Join us to discover the power of AI to transform your classroom and school so you can work smarter, not harder.
Details
Date:
Time: 4.00pm - 5.30pm
Venue: Online
Bookings close: 19/05/2026
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 |
Description
Presenter: Chris Bush, AI for Education Expert
In this webinar, AI expert and Leading Teacher Chris Bush will teach you how to harness ChatGPT and AI for revolutionary results. You’ll learn how to use AI for planning, assessment, marking, and more. Join us to discover the power of AI to transform your classroom and school so you can work smarter, not harder.
What you'll learn:
- Transform planning: Craft compelling, AI-generated term outlines, lesson plans and assessments in seconds, complete with activities, solutions and rubrics.
- Personalise every path: Quickly design differentiated, tailored learning journeys that are adapted to individual student needs and strengths.
- Maximise your time: Streamline feedback and grading using AI, freeing teachers for deeper student interactions.
- Introduce and embed AI: Develop guidelines around the safe and appropriate use of AI in your context, bringing along all community members.
What you’ll leave with:
- Expert mentoring: Receive personalised support and strategies from a Leading Teacher and AI specialist.
- Ready-to-use prompts: Explore a curated library of classroom-tested prompts to spark immediate AI integration.
- Prompt mastery: Learn the techniques to craft your own powerful AI prompts with an easy-to-follow guide.
- Discover the best AI tools and policies: Access handpicked resources and policies that will lead to the most impactful AI integration for your classroom and school setting.
About the Presenter
Chrisopher Bush, Head of Student Voice and Leadership at University High School, is an AI for education expert who helps teachers unlock the full potential of AI. He guides aducators in creating engaging, student-centered experiences while streamlining work and mazimising their impact. With his expertise, you'll discover how AI can transform you school.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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
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
In this Section
- Professional Learning
- All Professional Learning
- For Primary Years
- For Middle & Secondary Years
- 2026 SASTA Annual Conference
- 2026 Early Career Teachers Conference
- Stage 2 Marking & Moderation Workshops
- Ediacaran Teacher Scholarship to the Flinders Ranges
- Members Free Webinar Series
- SASTA Member Events
- 2025 Exam Post Mortem Recordings