Home Economics Victoria

"Millions of cases of tooth decay could be prevented if Australia introduced a 20 per cent tax on sugar, new Griffith University research has found."

Sugar tax could improve oral health - Griffith News Millions of cases of tooth decay could be prevented if Australia introduced a 20 per cent tax on sugar, new Griffith University research has found.

There are some great ideas in the Victorian Pathways Certificate Food Studies curriculum - have you had a chance to check it out, or teach it yet?

We're lucky enough to have Sandra Fordyce-Voorham, an experienced teacher and curriculum writer, join us at our Annual Conference on Friday 23 October to lead a session on all the ins and outs of VPC Food Studies (which will be known as VPC Food Skills in 2027). Whether you've never heard of it before, or just want to learn more, this session is for you!

Read about the VPC curriculum here: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vpc-curriculum/vpc-curriculum-designs/vpc-food-studies/vpc-food-studies-curriculum-design

Register for the Annual Conference here: https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/21KMX7

We all love a good acronym in education, don't we? Have you heard about VTLM 2.0?

VTLM 2.0 is the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model. Building on existing evidence-based teaching approaches (HITS), it provides a framework for how students learn best and how teachers can support that learning through four key areas: planning, enabling learning, explicit teaching and supported application.

From 2028, all Victorian government schools will be using the new model in their teaching and learning programs.

For us as Food, Health and Textiles teachers, this might look like revising a relevant safety step before introducing a new technique, demonstrating the skill step-by-step, guiding students as they practise, and providing feedback until they can confidently work independently.

It also means revisiting key concepts over time, providing opportunities for repeated and varied practice, making connections between ideas, and gradually increasing challenge as students work towards mastery.

Is this anything new? Or just a new acronym to learn? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Find out more at https://arc.educationapps.vic.gov.au/learning/sites/vtlmresources

Image source: https://content.sdp.education.vic.gov.au/media/victorian-teaching-and-learning-model-2-0-2816

Our live teacher VCE Food Studies exam revision session is just ONE week away!

Registration includes:
- Live, 60-minute teacher revision webinar on Tuesday 1 September, 4:00-5:00pm (recording available for those who can't attend the live session)
- Student access to a revision workbook with hints, tips and practice exam questions
- Student access to 5x pre-recorded webinars covering each area of study, plus an exam strategy focus

Register now at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_qVa58J7RMqNGPeRJRdJPg #/registration. Don't gatekeep, tag any VCE Food teachers you know so they don't miss out.

"If we want healthier diets, we must prioritise skills as well as knowledge. A shift towards a skills-based curriculum would equip children to navigate their food environment, with benefits that last far beyond the classroom."

This UK based article presents research about why learning food skills at school is important.

Why food skills belong in the school curriculum – not left to chance at home Schools already treat some life skills, such as swimming, as essential.

Here's a sneak peak of just 3 of the many sessions planned for our Annual Conference on Friday 23 October 2026. Register now by heading to our Professional Learning page so you get first choice of sessions when we release the full program!

https://www.homeeconomics.com.au/professional-learning/professional-learning-calendar

Prepare for exam time with our VCE Food Studies exam revision series for VCE Food Studies which includes:
- a live TEACHER webinar (or recording)
- FIVE additional STUDENT webinar recordings (one per outcome, plus one exam focus) for access in class with students
- Student revision booklet
Register today by visiting https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_qVa58J7RMqNGPeRJRdJPg #/registration

Attention school Kitchen Assistants ⚠

💚 We're looking for presenters for our Kitchen Assistants Conference which is coming up on Friday 20 November. Presenters attend the day for free! Let us know what you'd like to present at https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/h9DXJ9

💚 You can already register for the 2026 Kitchen Assistants Conference. This is everyone's favourite PL of the year, complete with multiple session choices and a sit down lunch in the Angliss Training Restaurant. Visit https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/EZ42TY today to register.

💚 Our Fundamentals for Kitchen Assistants course can support you in your role - register now ready to start on 31 August at https://www.ivvy.com.au/event/ODYT63

Tag your Kitchen Assistant so they don't miss out!

This article from the Conversation provides a history of the hoodie, perfect for your textiles class.

https://theconversation.com/from-sportswear-to-protest-attire-the-surprisingly-political-history-of-the-hoodie-288913?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.com