As part of VATE's role in advocating for English and English teachers, VATE prepares position papers on aspects of current educational concerns and interest. Issues of concern raised by the VATE membership are taken up by the Curriculum Committee, which generally has an open meeting when a major issue is discussed. Position papers resulting from these discussions are prepared where deemed appropriate and submitted to the relevant body.

From time to time, the Curriculum Committee also holds an extraordinary meeting after hours, usually in a local school, when major philosophical and educational questions need to be addressed. These special meetings are advertised in the newsletter, and all VATE members are entitled to attend.

In addition to this, VATE committees sometimes prepare guidelines for English teachers on various aspects of practice such as text selection, use of technology in the English classroom and assessment issues. If there is an area of concern to English teachers that you would like to bring to VATE's attention for the possible development of a position paper, please contact us.

VATE falls under the umbrella of the Australian Association for the Teaching of English (AATE). The AATE website has the following policy and position papers available for your use:

• The Teaching of English in Australia
• Professional Development for English Teachers
• Censorship and Text Selection
• Assessment and Reporting English
• ESL, Aboriginal Englishes
• Teachers Teaching English for the First Time