Empower: A VCE Dance Gathering

Join VCE Dance educators for a dynamic day of professional learning, practical workshops and networking. 

Hear from representatives from VCAA to experts in the field, explore VCE planning, choreography, assessment and resources, and connect with colleagues from across the sector. 

Whether you're new to VCE Dance or an experienced teacher, you'll leave with practical strategies, fresh ideas and valuable professional connections.

Schedule

9.00 am – 10.15 am: Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, VCAA: Key Note Speaker
10.15 am – 10.50 am: Morning Tea 
10.50 am – 12.30 pm: Workshops
12.30 pm – 1.30 pm: Lunch 
1.30 pm – 3.00 pm: Workshops  
3.00 pm – 3.30 pm: Afternoon tea 
3:30 pm – 4.30 pm: Workshops
4.30 pm: Event finish

Click here for: Empower VCE Dance Event Schedule.pdf

Workshop 1A
Theoretical Workshop - Getting the Most Out of Your VCE Dance Unit with Effective Semester Planners
11.30 am - 12.30 pm
Bunjil Place Library Meeting Rooms 3 & 4
Target Audience: VCE Dance teachers (beginning and experienced)
Teachers looking to strengthen their planning and ensure Units 1–4 are structured effectively to maximise student learning outcomes, including those teaching combined classes (Units 1/2 and Units 3/4).
Objective: To equip VCE Dance educators with practical strategies and tools to create comprehensive semester planners that optimize teaching and learning.
Key Topics:
•    Understanding the Importance of a Semester Planner
•    Breaking Down the VCE Dance Curriculum
•    Combined classes
•    Assessment Integration in the Semester Planner

Workshop 1B
Practical Workshop - VCE Skills Solo Workshop for Educators
11.00 am - 12.30 pm
Bunjil Place Studio
Target Audience: Teachers looking to refine their focus on guiding students through solo works to achieve better VCE dance outcomes.
Objective: Exploring how to effectively address the skills solo criteria.
Key Topics:
•    Showing a range of movement categories and physical skills
•    Variation of space (shape), time and energy
•    Projection and artistry

Please bring a drink bottle and wear comfortable clothes for a day of activity.  

VCE Unit    
Relevant Area of Study
Unit 1 Dance perspectives; Choreography and performance; Dance technique and performance
Unit 2 Dance perspectives; Choreography and performance; Dance technique and performance
Unit 3 Area of Study 1 – Dance perspectives; Area of Study 2 – Skills-based solo; Area of Study 3 – Learnt dance work
Unit 4 Area of Study 1 – Dance perspectives; Area of Study 2 – Cohesive solo choreography, performance and analysis; Area of Study 3 – Dance technique and performance

Presenter Biographies
Sela Kiek-Callan
Sela is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth. Moving to the United Kingdom in 1996, she continued to further her experience of dance, performing with Green Candle Dance Company, Kantikoy and Lisa Torun and Dancers, and working as a Lecturer in Dance at Coventry University in England from 1997- 2004. She undertook a Masters of Philosophy whilst in the UK, investigating site specific dance.

Since returning to Australia in 2004, she has been a sessional lecturer on the dance degree programs at The Victorian College of the Arts and Deakin University and currently teaches at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS). She completed a practice based PhD in Dance in 2011 through Deakin University and has published a number of articles on her site specific work. She has taught VCE Dance at a range of Victorian schools including VCASS since 2007, and assessed the practical and written exams for this study for the VCAA since 2009.

Fiona McGrath
Fiona McGrath is a graduate of Deakin University, where she studied Dance and Drama. Following her studies, she pursued opportunities in dance performance before discovering her passion for teaching. She has extensive experience teaching VCE Dance across both school-based and private provider settings and currently teaches at Kilbreda College, Mentone. Fiona has also worked in assessment, developing insight into both the Dance Written and Performance Examinations.

Through her experience as a performing arts educator in secondary schools, Fiona understands the demands of teaching within this context and remains committed to the ongoing development of VCE Dance. She is passionate about fostering a supportive and collaborative community for Dance educators, creating opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and contribute to the continued growth of dance education.

Olivia Millard
For the past 25 years, Olivia has worked as a performer, maker and lecturer of dance. After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1992, Olivia performed with companies and independent choreographers/directors in Australia and overseas including Rosalind Crisp, Sue Peacock, and Peter Sellars (Salzburg Festival). Olivia has created over 20 dance works, both funded and commissioned, including for the Asian Young Choreographers Project in Kaohsuing, Taiwan, and was the recipient of a Creative Development Fellowship from Arts WA in 2003. Olivia taught at WAAPA, Perth from 1999-2006 and has taught dance at Deakin University since 2007. Olivia's PhD, from Deakin University was conferred in April 2013. Research interests include improvisation in dance performance, site-based performance and dance installation. Olivia leads the AllPlay Dance program which is undertaking research into the benefits of dance for children with disability.

Catherine 'CC' Turner
Catherine (‘CC’, she/they) has a passion for working at the intersection of creativity, curiosity, and community, whether in communication and marketing roles or leading arts, cultural and heritage teams. CC’s diverse career spans strategic and business management roles across all levels of government, private business, and not-for-profit arts organisations, from coordinating whole-of-organisation messaging to managing local multi-arts facilities. CC’s career is backed up with a wide range of formal and informal training; notably, a Master of Fine Arts (Cultural Leadership) from NIDA. They bring a passion to foster access, representation, and sustainability in the dance sector through Ausdance Vic.

https://ausdancevic.org.au/about-ausdance-vic/our-team/

Julie Wotherspoon
Julie Wotherspoon (Wother-spoon) is the Head of Theatre and Dance at Caulfield Grammar School and has been teaching across both private and government education systems for 24 years. Throughout her career, she has worked with VCAA curriculum and assessment processes, supported senior program development, and worked alongside colleagues at schools including Berwick College. Her experience includes assessing, mentoring teachers and students, and preparing young performers for high-stakes performance examinations.

She is deeply passionate about education and committed to providing meaningful, high-quality performance experiences for students. Julie believes that in a world increasingly shaped by technology and digital disconnection, theatre and dance serve as powerful vehicles for human connection — fostering empathy, collaboration, and authentic communication through shared creative experience.


Photo: Elizabeth Savannah Photography