About VATE
 The Victorian Association for the Teaching of English is a professional body established to promote the interests of English education and to allow English educators in Victoria to exchange ideas. It brings together post-primary teachers in government, Catholic and independent schools, as well as tertiary educators and education students.
Statement of Purpose VATE, Inc.
1. To support and maintain the quality of the teaching of English in the State of Victoria.
2. To promote the professional learning of teachers of English.
3. To initiate and conduct such research and curriculum development projects as are consistent with the above aims.
4. To publish journals and other materials relevant to the above aims.
5. To enter into relationships, associations partnerships or arrangements with other persons as defined in the Rules to promote or further the purposes of the Association.
6. To initiate and support any such other activities which may be helpful to teachers and students of English.
Getting Involved
 VATE seeks input from its membership about the work that it can do to support the profession. Many members of VATE take an active role in directing and participating in the organisation. The ways that our members are involved in the organisation include:
- Membership of committees (For example, those on the Curriculum Committee might organise a forum on or write a response to a government education initiative)
- Membership of Council (For example, those on Council might find themselves involved in discussions about critical educational issues, such as the Victoria Essential Learning Standards framework and its implications for English teaching and learning)
- Project and working party groups
- Helping with management of professional development events, mailouts and office duties (These occasions often turn into interesting discussions and luncheon opportunities for those involved)
- Running professional development workshops or attending one of the VATE regional trips
- Involvement in Student Revision Days
- Coordinating a regional network. (We would really like people to help us get these networks going).
How to get involved
A good place to start being more involved is to join a committee. The smallest contributions are welcome, as the association is only as strong as its membership. Contact Debbie de Laps at the VATE office for more information.
Two people who have become closely involved with VATE in a voluntary capacity are Chris Wheat and Susanne Haake.
 Chris writes:
I joined VATE Council 7 years ago and served on the Publications Committee as Convenor, on several Conference Committees, and as Council Treasurer. Although I have now stepped down from Council, I am still a member of Curriculum Committee. The work for VATE was often challenging, and it wasn't always easy to to balance VATE demands with school demands, but VATE brings together many outstanding professionals and it is easy to learn from their examples. Like all challenging environments, it left me with much - much more than I contributed. I believe every English teacher in the state should serve on one of the VATE committees at some time in their career.
Susanne is a newer recruit and writes:
I was introduced to VATE by my method lecturer at Monash University who suggested that our involvement with VATE as beginning teachers would be invaluable. He wasn't wrong. Through my association with VATE I have been fortunate enough to learn from the experience of a diverse range of English teachers and have received continual support and encouragement - so important in that first year of teaching. My involvement at VATE has been as a member of the Professional Development Committee and the State Conference Committee. I have also helped out at some Professional Development events - on the registrations desk or selling books - and that has been interesting and instructive. It is important for beginning teachers to have a strong voice with their professional organisation. VATE not only welcomes but encourages beginning teachers to play an active role in the work of the association.
Rules of Association
Our Rules of Association are available has a PDF.
VATE Annual General Meeting
Download the reports from our AGM, held on 22 April 2009.
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